2011-11-09

[ Chrysler Group LLC press release ]

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee Designed for Core Performance Enthusiasts

• Newest Charger SRT8 offers modern SRT performance in limited-edition, back-to-basics package
• Available in Stinger Yellow or Pitch Black with exclusive interior and exterior appointments
• Powered by proven 392-cubic inch HEMI V-8 with 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque
• Arrives in U.S. dealer showrooms in first quarter 2012

November 9, 2011, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Designed and built for the core performance enthusiast, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee makes its public debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16.

There is no mistaking the unreserved performance attitude of the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee. Available in either Stinger Yellow or Pitch Black exterior paint with special Super Bee graphics, the exclusive models reflect a specially designed modern and extroverted interpretation of the legendary Super Bee performance built for the enthusiast who enjoys a vehicle with one mission in mind -- to go fast.

"The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is a salute to the fun-loving past of Dodge muscle cars powered by the legendary 392 HEMI V-8 in a back-to-basics performance machine," Ralph Gilles, President and CEO - SRT and Motorsports said.

Exclusive Super Bee Content Inside and Out
The race-inspired interior of the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee features the SRT exclusive three-spoke contoured performance steering wheel, exclusive Z-stripe cloth performance seats with amped yellow and silver striping in both the front and rear as well as silver accent stitching and embroidered Super Bee logos on each of the front seat headrests.

The instrument panel also features the Charger Super Bee logo on a unique dash plaque.

Newly modified software includes the appearance of the Super Bee logo in the center instrument panel's Electronic Vehicle Information Center at vehicle start up.

On the exterior, the Charger Super Bee features a unique SRT badge with a 3-D helmeted bee mascot on the new split crosshair grille finished in Gloss Black.

Satin black hood graphics mirror the black decklid stripes with a solid wide center line flanked by solid dual tracer lines on the Stinger Yellow model, while charcoal gray graphics are used on the hood and decklid of the Pitch Black model. Standard rear decklid spoilers are matte black on the Stinger Yellow model or matching body color on the Pitch Black model.

Both front fenders tout the historically significant V-8 engine with .392 HEMI. badges first seen on the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392. Flanking both rear fenders are the legendary round Super Bee graphics, which now include the wording "Powered by SRT" to commemorate the modern incarnation of this celebrated performance icon.

New 20 x 9-inch, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels with black painted pockets developed specifically for the Super Bee models provide a unique performance look.

Available Goodyear F1 Supercar three-season, ultra high performance tires give the Super Bee tenacious grip on the road or track. Also available are Goodyear Eagle RS-A 2 all-season tires that make the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee an all-season performance machine.

Braking power for the Super Bee comes courtesy of SRT engineered Brembo brakes with vented and slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers painted anodized black.

A limited number of 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee units will be built for the U.S. market. All Dodge Charger models are built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Both Stinger Yellow and Pitch Black Super Bee models will be available for ordering in December at Dodge dealerships nationwide and will be arriving in U.S. dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2012.

SRT's legendary performance
The 2012 Dodge Charger Super Bee is powered by the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that delivers 45 more horsepower and 50 more lb.-ft. of torque than the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces -- up 11 percent to 470 horsepower (351 kW) and up 12 percent to 470 (637 N.m) lb.-ft. of torque.

The new for 2012, exclusive SRT heated steering wheel features available mounted paddle shifters for hands on the wheel shifting both on road and at the race track

World-class stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet comes through 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch (rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers. Improved brake cooling and fade performance at all four corners comes courtesy of a new underbody belly pan with integrated brake ducting.

Performance numbers include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high 4-second range; quarter mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from 60-0 mph in 120 feet.

Super Bee history
The Dodge Super Bee, first introduced in 1968 as a member of Dodge's Scat Pack performance group, brought a high-performance vehicle to the low price class.

Based on the mid-sized Coronet model, the standard engine for 1968 was the 335 horsepower version of the 383 cubic-inch V-8 while the legendary 426 HEMI V-8 also was available.

The standard transmission was a heavy-duty four-speed manual with a Hurst Competition-Plus floor shifter. The power bulge hood let everyone know this was no ordinary car. The Super Bee could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 15 seconds. Not bad for a car that you could buy for a little more than $3,000.

In 1969, the radical 440 Six-Pack was added to the Super Bee's list of engine options. By placing three Holly two-barrel carburetors on top of the 440 Magnum V-8, the Super Bee generated 390 horsepower and 490 lb.-ft.of torque.

The Super Bee was switched to the Charger model for 1971 but continued to offer its impressive engine line-up, as well as its heavy duty suspension. The Hemi-power '71 Super Bee could reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and ran the quarter mile in only 13.7 seconds.

In its brief original four year run, the name Super Bee reached legendary status by giving the customer an ultra-high performance vehicle that they could drive to work during the week, yet take to the track on the weekend and outperform the competition.

For the 2007 model year, Dodge and SRT revived the Super Bee nameplate with the limited-edition Dodge Charger SRT8. It featured "Detonator Yellow" exterior color with black hood and deck-lid face, unique "hockey stick" stripes on the rear fenders, Super Bee logos on front and rear fenders, and contrasting yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob. The wheels were fully polished versus the stock SRT8 Charger which featured wheels with silver painted areas.

Powered by the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 producing 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee was the first special edition Charger from SRT. Only 1,000 units were built for the 2007 model year.

The 2008 Charger SRT8 Super Bee package featured a B5 Blue Pearl Coat exterior reminiscent of the blue used by Chrysler vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. Instead of fully polished SRT8 Charger wheels, the "pockets" were painted black. Blue accent stitching inside replaced the yellow found on the seats and steering wheel from the previous model year. Only 1,000 units of the Charger SRT8 Super Bee were built in 2008.

In 2009, the Super Bee package featured Hemi Orange Pearl Coat paint with decals on the hood and rear quarter fenders; new Super Bee wheels with black anodized pockets with silver Brembo brake calipers. On the inside were orange accented seats and a serialized dash plaque. Only 425 units of the Super Bee were built in 2009.

SRT Track Experience
Owners of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional driving instruction from the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.

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