Henry PayneThe Detroit News
Detroit — The popular, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered Dodge Challenger coupe and Challenger sedan are no more. Victims of American governments’ carbon dioxide-emissions targets aimed at forcing the electrification of the U.S. auto industry.
In their place is the all-new Dodge Charger coupe and sedan.
As the industry grapples with the EV transition over the next 10 years, many manufacturers are building parallel gas and electric model lines on separate internal combustion engine and electric platforms to gauge consumer reaction and comply with tightening regulations. Think the Chevy Equinox ICE and Equinox EV. Or the gas-fired Chevy Blazer and Blazer EV. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, 6 and 7 models parallel the gas-powered Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade.
But with an eye on efficiency, the Charger represents parallel EV and gas model lines - built on the same STLA Large platform. In addition to a fully-electric, single-or-dual-motor, battery “skateboard” drivetrain, the flexible architecture can accommodate front, rear, and all-wheel-drive gas and gas-hybrid drivetrains as well.
This week, Dodge took the wraps off its first model to be built on the STLA Large platform, the electric 2024 Charger Daytona R/T and Scat Pack (the gas-fired 2024 Charger models will follow later). Here are five things to know about Dodge’s first EV.
1) R-wing and Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust: You’ll know the electric Charger Daytona by these signature external features. Dodge is a brand that knows its history, and the R-wing harkens back to the famed 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona that stunned the NASCAR world with its 220-mph top speed and innovative aerodynamics that included a nose cone (R-wing) for added downforce. The feature won't be included on the gas-powered Charger — thus the “Daytona” badge will only apply to the electric Charger.
The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust is a sort of electronic organ hanging under the rear of the car (instead of the gas model’s exhaust) that will synthesize the sound of electric motors and a V-8 engine in order to provide a sonic experience as loud as that of the iconic Dodge Hellcat’s V-8.
2) The concept is the production car: “The Dodge Charger SRT Daytona Banshee concept was the production car hiding in plain sight,” said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis at the Charger Daytona reveal, referring to the sleek concept that bowed in August 2022 and has made the auto show circuit since. The top-drawer, 800-plus-horsepower production SRT Daytona Banshee won’t arrive until 2025, but its all-wheel-drive, 496-horse R/T and 670-horsepower Scat Pack model predecessors are identical in size and shape. Compared to the concept, the roofline is slightly higher, the track a bit narrower and the mirrors bigger. Same hatchback, R-wing, Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust.
3) Electrifying features. Battery power brings other novel features to Dodge buyers. Behind that R-wing is a frunk (where the twin-turbo, V-6 Hurricane engine will be located in gas models) to give customers 1.5 cubic feet more storage in addition to the expanded 22.7 cubes of cargo space (35% more than the outgoing Charger) under the rear hatch. Rear cargo space can be further enhanced by flattening the rear seats. The Charger Daytona’s 100.5 kWh battery also brings big torque and weight gains (the 5,838-pound Scat Pack is a staggering 1,500 pounds heavier than its V8-powered predecessor and the same girth as a four-wheel-drive, V8-powered Ram 1500 truck) so every Charger will be outfitted with all-wheel-drive, 12-inch front/12.8-inch rear tires, and regenerative braking to help ginormous, 16-inch Brembo rotors (Scat Pack option) bring the three-ton behemoth to a stop.
4) A touch of lux. The original, 1966 Charger was positioned not only as a brawny alternative to Ford's Mustang but as a sophisticated coupe aimed at the Olds Toronado and Ford Thunderbird. While the 2024 Charger EV has plenty of muscle — the 660-horse Scat Pack’s 3.3 second 0-60 spring is quicker than a 797-horse Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye, for goodness sake — its gorgeous digital tablet displays, all-wheel-drive and hatchback design have more in common with a Tesla Model S or Audi A7. Even its mail-slot front grille echoes the original Charger.
No doubt the premium play tracks the EV demographic, which tends to shop in the lux segment. Though Dodge won’t talk price until closer to its mid-year production launch, expect a lux-like $50,000-$90,000 price range.
5) Charging. The Achilles Heel of electric vehicles is range anxiety and the 317-mile and 260-mile range of the R/T and Scat Pack, respectively, pale next to the 426 and 569-mile range of their 6.4-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 predecessors. The 400-volt platform can add 190 miles of charge in 27 minutes; the gas cars fill up in two.
Given the premium customer focus of the Charger EV line, however, Dodge may figure customers will use a gas-powered vehicle in their garage (a three-row Durango SRT Hellcat, maybe?) for long trips. But when Charger EV buyers do hit the road, they will have a Tom Tom navigation system to help plot their course — including charging stops — just like Tesla’s system, said Dodge user experience chief Brad Gieske.
The Charger EV promises Model S-like straight-line performance combined with a familiar Dodge visceral experience. Whether Dodge’s vaunted “Brotherhood of Muscle” will warm to it remains to be seen. But Dodge is banking on it to attract new buyers to the brand.
Tesla owners looking for more attitude perhaps?
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne
