Pricing is about $7,000 lower than the last Charger SRT8 we had in the fleet, but that one featured the full navigation system, automatic climate control, blind-spot detection and active cruise control, among other features. I'd still prefer that car over this one, maybe with fewer bells and whistles, if for no other reason than I'd rather not drive around on a regular basis in this bright yellow skin. But if you've got it, flaunt it, I guess—and some people might prefer that.
To me, there's very little to not like about this or any Charger SRT8. The car is big, bad and beautiful, driving in a way that both throws back to the muscle cars of yore while planting its fat rubber tires firmly in the technology of the 21st century.
EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I have such great Super Bee memories as a kid, when my grandfather and his brothers had a large Dodge-Plymouth dealership on Detroit's east side. Those were great muscle cars, along with Cudas, Road Runners and the like. It's cool that Chrysler Corp. brought it back.
Anyway, the car: Hell of a buy for what you get in terms of performance. Hemi fun for less money you say? It's hard to argue with that. In fact, this is about the least-expensive way to an SRT product, or close to it.
It's fast and fun, and the Hemi growls beautifully. It's also comfortable for a car with this much motor. Also this large(ish) sedan offers quick steering and stout brakes. I would like to spend more time in one.
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The latest generation of Chargers feels like they've hit the gym and come back toned and built. This 2012 Dodge Charger SRT Super Bee model has an excellent chassis, solid steering with appropriate response and is surprisingly good in corners for a car this size. Really, it's a joy to drive a large, well-calibrated muscle car.
The real story is the monster 470-hp V8, which sounds great and growls but isn't obnoxious. It's strong, pulls you back in your seat during hard launches, and it's potent in cruising states on the expressway. The pedals have excellent feel, with the brakes providing nice feedback right away, complemented by smart throttle response.
The materials and layout of the cabin are first-class, with nicely done leather and accents in all the right places. Crack the windows and the Charger lets in a pleasing, billowing wind through the spacious cabin, which offers a large, old-school feel. It's like being in a big old-school car, and that's a good thing. Also, the sedan is surprisingly quiet, filtering out road and wind noise at an almost luxury level. You can hear then engine when you jab the throttle, which means they didn't go to far in refining this beast.
I like the Super Bee appearance, and these are the muscle cars people think romantically about. My choice, however, if I won the Mega Millions, would have been the blacked-out SRT machine. That would be a quiet assassin.
2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee
Base Price: $43,420
As-Tested Price: $43,570
Drivetrain: 6.4-liter V8; RWD, five-speed automatic
Output: 470 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 470 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,365 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 17/16.4 mpg
Options: 245/45 R20 BSW three-season tires ($150)
