With its traditional Charger and Challenger muscle vehicles set to exit of manufacturing on the finish of the 2023 mannequin yr, Dodge may have a giant void to fill.
However the model isn’t getting out of the efficiency enterprise. It’s simply altering the best way it should ship the numbers. The brand new Dodge Charger Daytona SRT idea presents a touch of what’s coming because it trades its conventional V-8 for battery-electric energy.
A deep, guttural roar erupts from a room off to the aspect of the Stellantis design dome in Auburn Hills, Mich. To followers of traditional muscle vehicles, it’s music to the ears and, in years previous, would have signaled the rollout of the newest Dodge muscle automobile. However the efficiency automobile model is pulling the plug on the acquainted Dodge Charger and Challenger fashions subsequent yr.
So, it left the group of journalists gathered for a model background briefing slack-jawed because the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT idea rolled onto the ground. A thinly disguised prototype of the manufacturing mannequin due out in 2024, the Daytona’s “Fratzonic chambered exhaust” produces the identical menacing rumble because the acquainted Hellcat engine. And that’s simply one of many surprises that may include the primary all-electric Dodge muscle automobile.
When the manufacturing coupe arrives in precisely 2 years, it initially will supply three distinct efficiency ranges. However homeowners will be capable of digitally unlock as much as 9 utilizing over-the-air replace expertise, officers have revealed. And so as to add to the traditional muscle automobile really feel, the manufacturing mannequin will turn into one of many solely all-electric automobiles to function a multispeed transmission.
All About Angle
“Dodge is about muscle, angle and efficiency, and the model carries that chip on its shoulder and into the BEV section by an idea loaded with patents, improvements, and efficiency options that embody the electrified muscle of tomorrow,” stated Dodge model boss Tim Kuniskis.
In the course of the background session final week, Kuniskis acknowledged that Dodge discovered itself in a tricky place a couple of years in the past. Whereas there are nonetheless loyal consumers for the Charger sedan and Challenger coupe, demand has been steadily sliding.
“No one desires vehicles anymore,” he stated, including, “As quick because the flip to utility automobiles occurred, one thing even quicker was coming, the flip to electrification.”
The 2023 mannequin yr will see Dodge introduce its first battery-based mannequin, the brand new compact Hornet crossover supplied with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain on the dearer R/T bundle. However with it now time to exchange the long-in-the-tooth Charger and Challenger fashions, model officers determined it was time to take an actual threat.
The Charger Daytona SRT reveals what’s coming. Formally, it’s only a idea car, however Kuniskis and different officers all however confirmed that what you see is just about what you’ll get in 2024.
No ‘Science Undertaking’
“This isn’t a science venture,” stated Kuniskis. “Some idea vehicles are. This isn’t.”
The all-electric muscle automobile picks up on a variety of traditional Dodge design cues, although they’re blended with some decidedly fashionable options. The lengthy nostril is a paean to the legendary Dodge Daytona hatchback, for one factor. And whereas the outgoing Charger is a sedan, the idea returns to the nameplate’s two-door previous.
“There’s a brutality” to the looks, advised designer Jeff Gale.
Lengthy, low, extensive, and menacing, the Daytona Charger provides particulars we’ve come to anticipate from fashionable battery-electric automobiles like flush, pop-out door handles, and entrance and rear lightbars highlighting the triangular Dodge emblem.
There’s additionally the entrance “R-wing” that provides a traditional contact whereas balancing each high-speed dealing with and range-extending aerodynamics. And with the battery pack and motors mounted beneath the load flooring, the Daytona’s wheels have been moved additional out to the corners than any earlier Dodge mannequin. Then add the all-new Banshee fender badges that can be used for future, all-electric Dodge muscle vehicles.
A True Muscle Automobile
Although the Daytona has a 25% decrease aerodynamic drag than the present Charger, “That is no melted jellybean,” like so many fashionable EVs, advised Kuniskis. “It seems like a real muscle automobile.”
That carries over to the within. Sure, there are the requisite LCD screens, a totally digital gauge cluster, and a large infotainment touchscreen. You may even add a big head-up show.
However the idea options aggressively styled sport seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. There’s a totally programmable ambient “Angle Adjustment Lighting” system that enhances the menacing persona.
Among the many trick touches, a jet-style cowl pops as much as reveal the Daytona’s “Launch” ignition button. And it will get a pistol grip shifter. And that’s one of many locations the place the all-electric coupe actually distinguishes itself.
Specs TBD, However Count on It to Be Fast
Dodge officers are being coy relating to drivetrain specifics. They’ve hinted that the manufacturing mannequin will supply a number of motor configurations and at the least two totally different battery pack choices. The Daytona idea is all-wheel-drive, and that seems to be the place all future variations of the manufacturing automobile go, as properly.
If nothing else, electrical motors can churn out gobs of horsepower and torque. The Tesla Mannequin S Plaid and the Lucid Air Dream Efficiency version each make greater than 1,000 horsepower and might launch from 0 to 60 in precisely 2 seconds.
Kuniskis sidestepped repeated questions in regards to the Daytona’s numbers, although he cautioned that Dodge received’t essentially goal to be the quickest off the road, at the least not when the sunshine adjustments. Working the quarter-mile could possibly be one other matter.
Considerably, he indicated the Daytona can be “track-ready,” which means it should ship peak energy lap after lap, in contrast to many present EVs that rapidly begin to wheeze.
As much as 9 Energy Ranges
Daytona additionally incorporates a new PowerShot button — a lot the identical as discovered on the brand new Hornet R/T. Press it and also you get a direct, albeit quick, burst of extra energy for passing, whether or not on the road or the observe.
Initially, the manufacturing Daytona can be obtainable with three manufacturing facility energy ranges. However consumers will then be capable of order from a complete of 9 by Dodge’s Direct Connection net service. They’ll be routinely downloaded utilizing the muscle coupe’s over-the-air replace expertise.
“It’s all in regards to the driving expertise,” the model boss advised GearJunkie after the formal preview ended. And Dodge is including a number of distinctive options to boost that have.
An EV With an Exhaust and a Multispeed Gearbox
That begins the second you hit the Launch button, the Daytona responding with a Hellcat-like 126-decibel roar.
“Whereas most BEVs embrace their nearly silent electrical motors, that simply wouldn’t do for Dodge,” the automaker stated in a press release describing the bizarre system.
“The industry-first Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust pushes its one-of-a-kind efficiency sound by an amplifier and tuning chamber situated on the rear of the car. The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust represents the following technology of tactile, bone-shaking, muscle angle, making a visceral “Darkish Matter” sound profile expertise.”
And it’s paired with the Daytona’s eRupt Transmission. With uncommon exception — notably the all-electric Porsche Taycan — EVs depend on single-speed gearboxes. Whereas electrical motors can deal with prime revs that even System One groups would envy, this can improve efficiency and likewise assist enhance power effectivity, in response to Dodge engineers.
It additionally provides the visceral punch muscle automobile followers are accustomed to, added Kuniskis, noting that eRupt expertise will carry over into manufacturing.
Extra to Come, Together with Pricing
Whereas Dodge is being circumspect relating to powertrain particulars, the model chief did word that the Charger Daytona will initially use a 400-volt electrical structure. However it should add an upgraded 800-volt possibility that, he indicated, will enhance each efficiency and charging speeds. It’s not clear how lengthy after launch the improve can be launched.
The exact timing of the manufacturing Charger Daytona has but to be revealed, together with pricing. However it ought to present up in Dodge showrooms earlier than the tip of 2024. Pricing, stated Kuniskis, is “TBD.”
