Spy Photo Captures 8-Speed Automatic in '11 Charger

[NewsBot]

A couple weeks ago, all of the anticipation circling around the next-generation Dodge Charger was finally diffused when spy shots revealed an uncovered 2011 model. Recently, sneaky shutterbugs snapped the Charger's interior which provided a look at the driver's view of the 2011 Charger. Inside, you'll notice a large dash-mounted ZF monitor. The presence of the ZF unit means that this Charger is touting a ZF-built 8-speed automatic and not the five-speed auto with its gated shifter that we're used to. While purely speculation, we believe the ZF monitor is there to help in the final fine-tuning of the new 8-speed gearbox and should help in ironing out the wrinkles before production models hit showroom floors.


Image: Inside Line

Other observations made from this image provides us some hope for the new sedan. While the new shifter is a big step in terms of materials, design and engineering towards equally-equipped sports sedans like BMW, the faux metal shroud is reminiscent of automatic Porsches. Besides the shifter, the steering wheel buttons appear to have been relocated from behind the wheel to the steering wheel's face, the gauges are large and easy to read including the 140-plus-mph speedometer, tach, and other essentials, as well as a push-button start and remote trunk release as located within a decorative oval gauge pod that reminds us a little bit of previous generation Chargers (2nd and 3rd gen). While these cues might not be much, there are something towards the right direction.




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