For a state that gets an enormous amount of snow and features highways that are often virtually impassable, you might wonder why law enforcement agencies such as the Colorado State Patrol still opt for what look like fair-weather police cars \u2014 the ones you might see in your rear-view mirror in Florida.<\/p>\n
Turns out that is not exactly the case with the fleet of State Patrol Dodge Chargers roaming our passes and keeping things safe during the best and worst of times. Like the many SUVs used by police and emergency departments across the state, they have a little bit extra under the hood and end up being ideally suited for their all-weather role. <\/p>\n
All-wheel-drive is the big secret, something that\u2019s been available for the Dodge Charger Pursuit police edition, with an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, pushing those machines to 370 horsepower. They also get upgraded disc brakes \u2014 just as Elwood notes in “The Blues Brothers,” \u201cIt\u2019s got a cop motor \u2026 it\u2019s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks.\u201d<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019d like to enjoy a slightly more stylish but still
\nlarge, stable and secure build of the Charger for your eventual all-season
\ntraveling, you are in luck. The new civilian Dodge Charger GT, priced at
\n$34,995 (plus a $1,495 destination fee) gives you a 300-horsepower variation of
\nthe same dang car, with a load of flashy appearance upgrades to make it look
\nand feel more like muscle car than patrol vehicle. <\/p>\n
I immediately found out why Charger works as a police vehicle. It\u2019s big, solid and it rides pretty well, with a tall seating position that\u2019s totally the opposite of muscle cars like Mustang and Camaro, supplemented by very well-bolstered sport seats in this GT edition.<\/p>\n
Granted, while Charger has been a platform for
\nfactory-issued engines up to 717 horsepower and custom builds double that (the
\n1,525-HP Speedkore Demon, for instance), 300 horses might seem a little light,
\nbut you\u2019d be surprised.<\/p>\n
It actually seems to be enough power to confidently maintain correct speeds up to and through the tunnel, and while the car\u2019s boisterous looks will either convince other drivers that you are in fact an officer of the law or challenge you to drag races, that is all up to you. It\u2019s got the full package of Performance Pages on the navigation and instrument screens for you to measure your G-forces and slalom times, should you wish to do so.<\/p>\n
A bulging dome on the hood, just a little faux-feeling here, and the car\u2019s added aerodynamic and darkened-out trim treatments do make it pretty sharp looking. <\/p>\n
The most tangible sensation is how large the Charger feels, especially if you\u2019ve driven smaller sedans or become used to SUV scale. It takes up a whole lane, it feels big and burly, and it was even able to absorb a ski bag through the ample trunk and into the split rear seats, something I did much earlier this year.<\/p>\n
During those long-ago drives, it also responded to curves with some enthusiasm, grounded all the more by that full-time AWD. Steering is commensurate with the vehicle\u2019s mass but not overly tough and braking adequate but not as precise as a Brembo-equipped, high-output model.<\/p>\n
You do get a bit more dynamism if you put it into sport mode, which sends all of the power to the rear wheels, a summertime setup that gives the car added versatility.<\/p>\n
Minus the explosive wall of power, the big news here is the GT\u2019s upgraded exterior. Air dams, a blackened-out grille and that imposing monobrow rear brake light bar all significantly punch up the Charger\u2019s visual appeal. <\/p>\n
Andy Stonehouse\u2019s column \u201cMountain Wheels\u201d publishes Saturdays in the Summit Daily News. Stonehouse has worked as an editor and writer in Colorado since 1998, focusing on automotive coverage since 2004. He lives in Greeley. Contact him at rossandrewstonehouse@gmail.com<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n
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