You might think the day would never come that muscle cars would turn electric, but the new Dodge Charger Daytona is an electrified monster.
Dodge is certainly taking a chance by ditching the monstrous V8 power plants of the Charger and Challenger in favor of new electric powertrains. The new Daytona EV brings the end for most American muscle cars. GM ended production of the Camaro, and the Ford Mustang continues onward as a muscle car and an electric SUV. The new Dodge models are the company’s entrance into the EV world, giving us a new direction for the brand.
Here are some things you’ll want to know about the new Dodge Charger Daytona.
It’s the first electric muscle car
While the term “electric muscle car” sounds like an oxymoron, this new Dodge is a chance for the brand to be first to market with an EV. Stellantis has already seen other brands bring electric SUVs, electric pickup trucks, and various electric cars to the market while they sat on the sidelines. This new Daytona EV comes standard with AWD and should have up to 455 horsepower from the standard setup.
The style is pure Dodge
The new Dodge Charger Daytona EV brings style that harkens back to the 1960s and the original Dodge cars bearing the same name. Prior to focusing on EVs, the Charger and Challenger models wore heritage styling that made them unmistakable on any road. This new EV certainly carries this style forward, giving you the look and feel desired when you want to enjoy a car that looks strong and fun right from the start. There’s no denying the muscle car roots of this version of the Charger.
The interior is incredible
As you might expect from a futuristic electric vehicle, the cabin area offers style and designs that look more like they belong in a science fiction movie and not in an actual EV. The steering wheel is a three-spoke, flat top and bottom performance model that features paddle shifters and a Powershot button that makes it easier to pass other cars on the road. Dodge didn’t make this car to be a basic model but to be an incredible EV for driving excitement.
Excellent driving range figures
One of the greatest challenges facing EVs is the driving range. The new Dodge Charger Daytona EV claims a driving range of 500 miles on a single charge. This puts it in line with the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. This incredible driving range allows the Charger to be fun and active for much longer than other EVs. The Daytona EV is built on the STLA Large platform, which is the same platform that is being used for the new electrified Ram 1500.
No silent driving in this Dodge EV
One o the most important and enticing aspects of this new electric muscle car is the addition of the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust System which generates artificial exhaust noise to make this car sound and feel great on any road. The noise level is claimed to be around 126-decibels, which is the same as the Dodge Hellcat models which are loud and proud. The exhaust sound system has a distinct “Dark Matter” sound profile that makes a special sound for this amazing EV when you’re out on the road.
You’ll feel the transmission shifts
The muscle car roots of the Dodge Charger Daytona are on display when you drive this incredible car. You’ll feel the transmission shifts, which make it seem like a traditional car with a gas-powered engine. This feeling is the result of the eRupt transmission, which is a multi-speed transmission that simulates distinctive shift points. It also allows you to “change gears” like you would in a non-electric model. This feeling allows driving purists to experience the incredible qualities they want when behind the wheel of a muscle car, even one powered by electricity.
Various power levels make the Charger more fun
Like the previous models of the Charger and Challenger, this new electric model will have several power choices, depending on your desires. The Charger will come in three trim levels: 340, 440, and Banshee. This car should come with some over-the-air updates that allow drivers to increase the power from the base setup to give you the extra juice you want to enjoy when you take this amazing EV to the track.
The new Dodge Charger Daytona EV is on the way and could be the first electric muscle car to hit the market. This amazing new car has several ways to put a smile on your face and give you the driving pleasure and power you desire. Will you drive this Dodge when it hits the market?