Dodge seems to be targeting its Charger SRT8 squarely at men over 40, guys like me who still like to believe they have a little wild streak left. After all, anyone younger would have to be genuinely interested in classic cars to remember the original as anything more than a cool-looking Matchbox toy.

Then, of course, there are the insurance costs. Just mention the SRT logo and you can light up the State Farm man’s eyes as fast as they light up the vehicle’s tires.

Yes, the new Dodge Charger is aimed primarily at those who still remember the original. However, from a style point of view, both the old and the new share some similarities. There’s the split rectangular grille, long hood, and well-curved roofline. Beyond that, the new vehicle bears little resemblance to the original version.

I think Chrysler, instead of playing the retro look card, has gone for what I might call “the feel of a muscle car.” While this can be felt throughout the Charger lineup, nothing says “muscle car” like its SRT 8 version.

The vehicle may not be exactly a mirror image of the Charger of yesteryear, but it certainly turns heads. It sits nice and square on the road, and from the front, its forward slant and masculine-looking grille make the SRT8 look pretty intimidating, to say the least. No, it may not be a perfect recreation, but it definitely has all the looks of a thoroughbred muscle car.

Large 20-inch wheels tend to dominate the vehicle’s side profile, the design of which allows for a nearly unobstructed view of the massive brake rotors and bright red Brembo brake calipers. This lets you know right away that this vehicle is “something a little out of the ordinary.”

Upon entering, I found the interior somewhat plain at first. That is until I looked back on the muscle cars of the past and remembered that they were pretty bland on the inside too. When you think about it, the original muscle cars were designed to be more “to go than show” and were basically designed to be the common man’s affordable sports car on the street.

Now, just because the interior is a bit plain doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. My tester was packed with perks like a GPS navigation system, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. Then there’s the stereo system, and what a system that is, a 6-disc AM/FM Cass/CD MP3 radio with 11 high-output speakers, a 276-watt Kicker amp, and a 200-watt subwoofer.

The dashboard has been well designed and the binnacle follows the theme of the vehicle as it has a certain classic look. However, I did find some of the interior plastics a bit stiff, particularly the lower section of the door panels.

The seats are made of strong leather and have been designed to be quite practical and comfortable. The front seats feature large side bolsters that keep you firmly in place at all times. However, there is a slight drawback to this, as although the leather is quite strong, it tends to wear on the outer edge. In fact, my tester only had a few thousand miles on the clock, but it was already starting to show signs of wear. The rear seats offer comfort and plenty of room. This is something not often found in vehicles that offer this kind of performance.

Of course, it’s always fun to sit in cars like this and go “vroom, vroom.” I know, I spent most of the ’60s doing just that, but I’m a little older now. I have a driver’s license and they gave me the keys, so let me give you an idea of ​​what it’s like to drive.

Think of it this way. Have you ever been on a roller coaster, upside down, with your eyes closed and hanging upside down in the seat? If so, you might have an idea of ​​the excitement this car can bring. His 6.1L Hemi makes a screaming 425 horses; then releases them to the rear wheels. If that’s not enough for you, they’ve added a clever little button that turns off the traction control. Wasn’t that kind of them?

Then there’s the sound of the exhaust, which again harkens back to the era of old muscle cars. It starts with a deep, throaty rub, then gets louder and louder as you press down on the gas pedal, until it turns into a full-fledged roar.

The traction that the Charger SRT8 has is incredible and the handling qualities are much better than I expected. Obviously, on country roads, the car tends to follow the curvature of the road due to the wide tires, and likewise there is some bump in the steering wheel. However, the SRT8 handles fairly well on most road surfaces and is a credit to the designers as it suffers very little from squeaks and rattles.

Another great thing about the SRT8 is that it can stop as fast as it can start. I knew the braking was going to be good as soon as I saw the name on the brake calipers. After all, Brembo supplies many of the world’s leading supercar manufacturers.

After spending a week in the Charger SRT8, I was very impressed with the vehicle. In fact, he really didn’t want to return it. The car does exactly what I think Dodge designed it to do. It creates the true feel of a muscle car of yesteryear while inspiring confidence through the use of modern technology. The Charger SRT8 is basically a blast from the past, while also being a true blast into the future.