The Dodge Charger caused quite a stir when it first debuted as a 2006 model, owing mostly to its heretical four doors, but the new Charger became a popular model for Dodge. Like many Chrysler brand cars though, it has suffered from a lack of updates as the Pentastar wrestled with bankruptcy woes and a transfer in ownership to Italy's Fiat. Based on these latest spy shots, it looks as though that's finally about to change.To their credit, the people at Dodge have done a commendable job of keeping this car under wraps. Even in these fresh spy shots today we can only glean a few details. The most obvious thing to point out here is that this updated car will be an evolution of the current model, not a clean-sheet design. We can clearly see the forward-raked crosshair grille and angry quad headlights behind the camo and most of the proportions appear to be about the same.The biggest change of note, though, is in the rear haunches. Where the current car features a kink in the bone line at the trailing edge of the rear doors, this new car looks to have a much more sensual curve that starts at the front fenders, dips below the windows in the front doors, then arcs up across the rear doors and into the rear fenders with the door handles following the arc. We hear these changes are meant to better evoke the original Charger as well as the Charger Concept and improve aerodynamics for better fuel efficiency as well.


Also of note is the rear of the car, where we've spotted new LED tail lights, suggesting a reasonable amount of cosmetic upgrade in the tail end. This particular specimen is also sporting what appears to be a large spoiler on the trunk lip, suggesting that it might be a top-shelf SRT-8 model, though there's no way to know exactly what is underneath the camouflage. The interior is expected to be substantially upgraded as well as part of Chrysler's drive to significantly improve interior quality.

Built on the updated LD platform the next-generation Charger was originally expected to debut as a 2011 model, but its exact timetable is unknown as both it and its platform mate, the Chrysler 300, failed to materialize at any of the auto shows so far in 2010. We'd be shocked though if it didn't appear sometime next year as as 2012 model. When it does finally appear, the Charger is expected to debut in all four trim levels. SE and SXT models are expected to carry the new Pentastar 3.7-liter V-6, rumored to make as much as 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. R/T and SRT-8 models are expected to continue with their 5.7-liter and 6.1-liter Hemi V-8s making at least the current 365 horsepower and 425 horsepower respectively.