The 2006 Charger still shows off its contemporary style and substance, but with a difference. It offers the conveniences of a modern sedan, and much more.

Recently, I had the opportunity to drive the all-new Charger on the highways and byways of North Carolina as well as Virginia International Raceway with a few fellow automotive journalists.

Available in four trims, the sedan comes with the standard 3.5 V-6 touting 250 horsepower or the 5.7 V-8 equipped with a Hemi engine at 340 hp.

Sporting a nose that leans forward, long and bulging hood, crosshair grille and angular, dual headlamps, the Charger cut through the hilly roads leaving Durham, N.C., with immense strength, agility and confidence.

It was even more impressive on the Virginia raceway at speeds of over 100 mph. “The mission was to create a four-door car like the Magnum,” said Mark Hall, senior design manager for Dodge, during a demonstration around the vehicle. “We looked at the muscle-car era of the ’60s and ’70s. Those cars had performance, character. We didn’t want to just make a retro car but a modern car for the modern consumer. The front of the Charger has a face with an attitude, like Clint Eastwood.”

The instrument panel, lit up with an electro-luminescent display, sports circular gauges with white face and silver accent rings. The silver also adorns the steering wheel and door remote while bezel surrounds the shifter. The dual-tone color scheme is a bonus.

“You sit in the car, not fall in it,” said Hall. “The instrument panel is all business in this driver-inspired vehicle. The 1966 Charger had a similar interior. Also, we offer a rear entertainment system, which folds into the armrest.”

The base Charger includes a four-wheel independent suspension system with different packages offered on the trim models. “The SE and the Charger with the SXT package have been tuned for touring performance, which also means firmer damping,” said Joe Grace, senior manager for the Dodge rear-wheel-drive program. “This gives the car more character. On the other hand, the R/T performance package is equipped with a less restrictive induction system. The Charger also offers the same safety features as the (Chrysler) 300 and the (Dodge) Magnum.”

Of the 100,000 Chargers Dodge plans to build, about 70 percent will be equipped with Hemi engines. “The Charger is all about performance, style and value,” said Daryl Jackson, vice president of Dodge marketing. “The value is based on the price class and starts with the base SE at just $22,995 and goes up to $32,495 for the Daytona R/T package, of which only 4,000 will be built.”

And by the way, Jackson points out that those in need of speed can opt for the SRT8, a 6.1-liter Hemi engine boasting 425 hp. “It’s an absolute rocket,” he concluded. For some reason, I believe him!

Nitish S. Rele is an Advertising Staff Writer for The Tampa Tribune.