We’ve gotten a few samplings and spy pictures of the new 2011 Dodge Charger, though all of them have left us wanting for more. While Chrysler has released pictures of the 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit, we haven’t seen any clear shots of the 2011 Charger without a push bar or camouflage obscuring the front fascia.
Jalopnik, however, was able to get some clear, front-on shots of the 2011 Dodge Charger as it was being testing by Michigan State Police. We like what we see.
The 5-year-old Charger design saw nearly zero modifications over the past half decade, so this redesign is long overdue. While Chrysler has seen fit to leave the Charger’s platform (LX) in place for the time being, the cosmetic exterior changes are palatable. Nearly no panel is left untouched (save maybe the roof). The new Dodge crossbars grille features prominently up front. The headlights have also been redesigned with sharper angles near the grille, and the lower front fascia appears to have grown a larger lower lip/spoiler.
The best changes are the subtle nods to the Charger’s most iconic years (1968-1970), found particularly with the new tail lights. Loaded with LED’s, the new single tail light bar stretches across the whole rear trunk section, bringing to mind the Chargers of yesteryear. It is frankly a very good look. A single deep scallop on the forward doors and twin faux scoops on the hood also cry retro. But most importantly, we applaud Chrysler’s incorporation of the classic Charger’s muscular quarter panel shoulder lines.
Loosing the previous model’s inexplicable downward cut, the new long swooping shoulder line is the best aesthetic step for the Charger we’ve seen yet. Now, if Chrysler could only borrow the front clip off the Challenger, swap the grille and give the Charger the front it so rightly deserves!