One outrageous sports car, exotic Viper SRT10 packing a big-block V10 tuned to 500 hp, sets the pace for all cars badged by the Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler, yet there's much more in the 2006 line. A large-scale Magnum sports tourer wagon spins off a high-octane SRT8 performance variation, and from this platform Dodge also casts a new four-door sports coupe called Charger, nameplate of Dodge's 1966 muscle car icon and the current NASCAR stock racer.

Excessively long at the prow and slinky low for a two-seat cockpit with a raucous ten-cylinder engine exerting overwhelming muscle from a herd of horses, the SRT10 Viper is America's most powerful sports car. It delivers 500 hp with 525 lb-ft of torque out of 505 cubic inches in engine displacement. For '06 the roadster convertible version is joined by a new coupe edition sporting a double-bubble roofline, door window glass, special wrap-around taillamps and a body color scheme in Viper Blue with Stone White race stripes. A six-speed manual transmission is standard for both the coupe and roadster, along with aluminum components for the four-wheel independent suspen-sion plus huge Brembo disc brakes tied to a four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS). Wheels - 18-inch up front and 19-inch in the rear - support Michelin zero-pressure run-flat tires.

The body of Magnum takes the shape of a station wagon, although the beltline is high with a long roof tapering at the rear and squeezing windows to narrow proportions. Front and rear overhangs are whittled away and the big wheels on front and back corners convey an impression of strength and high performance. Three engines propel Magnum through three trims tagged as base SE, luxurious SXT and sporty R/T. Magnum SE has a dual-cam 2.7-liter V6 with 190 hp. Magnum SXT draws from a high-output 3.5-liter V6 for 250 hp.

Magnum R/T scores Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that makes 340 hp through an electronic automatic five-speed transmission teamed with the AutoStick shifter. And the V8 has a MDS (multi-displacement system) that can switch seamlessly to fuel-saving four-cylinder mode. A rear-wheel-drive (RWD) format is the norm for Magnum, but optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction works on SXT and R/T.

Dodge takes the Magnum sport tourer and transforms it into a high-performance machine for 2006 dubbed SRT8. Core component is a massive 6.1-liter HEMI V8 that knocks down 425 hp with torque of 420 lb-ft. The suspension system tunes tight for performance with tailored spring rates and bushings, big anti-sway bars fore and aft and skid control from an electronic stability program (ESP). Forged aluminum wheels measuring 20 inches in diameter mate with Goodyear F1 three-season tires with asymmetrical treads running 245/45/20 in front and 255/45/20 in back. Body modifications for SRT8 consist of a new front fascia with brake-cooling ducts and air dam added and a rear fascia with wake modifier and exhaust-tip cutouts. The cockpit contains thick bolstered bucket seats with suede inserts, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and analog gauges in the instrument cluster including the speedometer notched to 180 mph. (CONTINUE...)