Dodge Charger (1999 concept)
Encyclopedia
In 1999 Dodge debuted a new Dodge Charger R/T concept car
. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers (most notably the second generation) but also had four doors. The designers attempted to blend the rear doors into the design so they would not be noticed very easily. Compressed natural gas
was purported as being in the lineup for a possible fuel source.
The concept Charger R/T, while sharing the long nose and rearward cab of the original, was a good deal shorter. It was 187 in (4,750 mm) in overall length compared to 203 in (5,156 mm) for the 1966 Charger. It was also lighter; 3000 lb (1,361 kg) versus 3650 lb (1,656 kg).
While making an important statement for CNG
technology, the Charger R/T was equally appealing to the design community. It had functional side scoops, as does the Dodge Viper
, and the chrome plated, central mounted exhaust was somewhat reminiscent of the Viper. It even has functional air exhausters sculpted into its rear fascia.
The Charger R/T was equally important for what it said about CNG technology. The concept car showcased a new storage tank system that one day might deliver 300 miles (482.8 km) range in a CNG-powered passenger car and not compromise storage space in the trunk.
The cylinders, or pressure cells, inside the fiberglass
storage tank were lined with a gas-impermeable high density polyurethane
(HDPE) thermoplastic and wrapped in a hybrid mix of high-strength carbon and super-tough glass filaments that were wound with an epoxy resin. Finally, the cylinders were laid into a foam egg crate to absorb impacts. It was strong for its weight, resistant to environmental damage, reliable and durable. The tank can be made flat, in the shape of a conventional gasoline tank, yet the fuel can still be stored at 3600 lb³ of pressure.
While the concept car was not placed into production, a new Dodge Charger (LX)
was produced in 2005 for the 2006 model year
. Although built on the same Chrysler LX platform
as the concept car, the new Charger bears no resemblance to the 1999 concept, nor the 2nd generation Chargers that inspired the concept car. Though the Charger concept was used in Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix as a racing car.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers (most notably the second generation) but also had four doors. The designers attempted to blend the rear doors into the design so they would not be noticed very easily. Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
was purported as being in the lineup for a possible fuel source.
The concept Charger R/T, while sharing the long nose and rearward cab of the original, was a good deal shorter. It was 187 in (4,750 mm) in overall length compared to 203 in (5,156 mm) for the 1966 Charger. It was also lighter; 3000 lb (1,361 kg) versus 3650 lb (1,656 kg).
While making an important statement for CNG
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
technology, the Charger R/T was equally appealing to the design community. It had functional side scoops, as does the Dodge Viper
Dodge Viper
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January...
, and the chrome plated, central mounted exhaust was somewhat reminiscent of the Viper. It even has functional air exhausters sculpted into its rear fascia.
The Charger R/T was equally important for what it said about CNG technology. The concept car showcased a new storage tank system that one day might deliver 300 miles (482.8 km) range in a CNG-powered passenger car and not compromise storage space in the trunk.
The cylinders, or pressure cells, inside the fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
storage tank were lined with a gas-impermeable high density polyurethane
Polyurethane
A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...
(HDPE) thermoplastic and wrapped in a hybrid mix of high-strength carbon and super-tough glass filaments that were wound with an epoxy resin. Finally, the cylinders were laid into a foam egg crate to absorb impacts. It was strong for its weight, resistant to environmental damage, reliable and durable. The tank can be made flat, in the shape of a conventional gasoline tank, yet the fuel can still be stored at 3600 lb³ of pressure.
While the concept car was not placed into production, a new Dodge Charger (LX)
Dodge Charger (LX)
The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan...
was produced in 2005 for the 2006 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
. Although built on the same Chrysler LX platform
Chrysler LX platform
The LX platform is Chrysler's full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform for the mid part of the first decade of the 21st century. The LX was developed in America from the previous Chrysler LH platform, which had been designed to allow it to be easily upgraded to rear and all-wheel drive...
as the concept car, the new Charger bears no resemblance to the 1999 concept, nor the 2nd generation Chargers that inspired the concept car. Though the Charger concept was used in Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix as a racing car.