Mopar Underground’s RedLine-Edition ’11 Dodge Charger

When the decision to resurrection the Charger name was made, there was heavy consideration given to whom Dodge would direct its marketing focus. Dodge – and more specifically, Mopar – has some of the most die hard, dyed-in-the-wool loyalists. Because of this, Dodge felt that they, those who support Mopar the closest, deserved to be addressed first. Advertisements of two yokels in a primered Duster hooting, “That thing got a HEMI?” became instantaneous favorites, although the Charger was met with less favorable fanfare.

Middle-of-the-road styling and a palpable lack of retro-styling quickly dissuaded many core Charger lovers. Performance of the R/T and SRT8 editions won over many, but its tall, flat sides, uninspired front fascia, and tacky cosmetic packages (such as the Daytona and Super Bee editions) made its additional four-doors all the more prevalent. Where the Charger to convert the core audience, as well as welcome many familiar with the legendary predecessors, changes were needed to be made.

Five years since the first 2006 Chargers debuted, Dodge has returned with an inspired re-imagining of the Charger. Riding on the same LX platform for a little while longer, the 2011 Charger edges closer to its most favored period, the 1968-through-1970 second generation.

But before a standard production R/T Charger could be presented to the public, Mopar released the Mopar Underground-edition RedLine Charger. Modded with a virtual parts bin of cosmetic and performance additions, the RedLine is yet another step closer to what a modern-day Charger ought to be.

Similarities to the Gen II Chargers begin at the new rear, where the taillights spread from one side of a blacked-out tail panel. Dual squared-off and polished exhaust tips flank a rear diffuser while a strong, sharp shoulder line runs from an integrated up-turned carbon fiber spoiler over the quarter panel and into a single faux cove on the front doors.

In fact, the new Charger’s incorporation of door and hood coves is its most outward nod to its heritage. The RedLine’s R/T-embossed louver shouts 1970. And while nowhere nearly as pronounced as the famed second generation Chargers of the late 1960’s, the new Charger’s rear greenhouse is heavily raked and slightly recessed.

The RedLine’s low-slung aluminum hood features a single louver – an immediate improvement over the twin alcoves, which feel slightly forced to the car’s aesthetic. A slight improvement over the previous model’s, the current grille is body colored in the same RedLine Red hue and is accented by an aggressive chin spoiler.

Beneath the re-sculpted skin is a 5.7L HEMI producing an estimated 400-plus-horsepower thanks to a Mopar cold air intake, long tube headers and a Mopar/CORSA completed exhaust system. A five-speed automatic spins a very highway-happy 3:06-geared limited slip differential. Riding an inch lower on Mopar/KW coil-overs and supported by a Mopar strut tower brace, the Charger rolls on Mopar Underground-designed custom Super Alloy 22-inch rims wrapped in Pirelli rubber.

Inside, the RedLine is equally as customized. Lear Performance seating was trimmed by Mopar/Katzkin in Radar Red Nappa leather. The RedLine Sumi-E bezel finishes were done by Northern Engraving and a Continental 160mph speedometer make up the gauge cluster, which draws a large portion of its aeronautical design from the early Chargers. A unique three-spoke sport wheel features prototype paddle shifters as the rest of the interior dressing was handled by Tennibac.

Undoubtedly, this machine will be paraded around as a marking tool for a good while longer to gauge people’s reactions to the new styling and Mopar Underground additions. It’s already expected that much of the cues featured on the RedLine will be carried into production units, possibly as a special edition or on the SRT8. If so, we strongly encourage the use of the hood and door louver covers as standard production parts, not in mere limited form.

Moreover, it’s expected that the 392 cubic inch HEMI gracing the ’11 Challenger will too, eventually find purchase in the soon-approaching SRT8 Charger. What is most curious about the 392 replacing the once top-of-the-line 6.1L is the arrival of the 426 Gen III HEMI. As of only a few months ago, the 392 Gen III was once a crate-only HEMI producing a fuel-injected 520hp. Now, as a production plant, the new 392 – buried under Dodge’s Multiple Displacement System and fuel management hardware – pumps out 470hp and 470ft. lbs. of torque.

Meanwhile, the fuel-injected all-aluminum 426ci Gen III fires out 540-naturally-aspirated-horsepower. Not too shabby, right? So as the 392 eventually came down the pike as a production engine, it leaves one wondering when we’ll be able to walk into a Dodge dealership and purchase a 426 HEMI-equipped Dodge Charger…

About the author

Kevin Shaw

Kevin Shaw is a self-proclaimed "muscle car purist," preferring solid-lifter camshafts and mechanical double-pumpers over computer-controlled fuel injection and force-feeding power-adders. If you like dirt-under-your-fingernails tech and real street driven content, this is your guy.
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