For those lamenting the imminent demise of Dodge’s gas-powered muscle cars, the automaker has a message: Fear not the future, because it’s electric.
Dodge unveiled its first electric muscle car, the Charger Daytona SRT concept, at an event this week at its headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan. The two-door coupe is positioned as a preview of the automaker’s first electric vehicle, which is expected to go into production in 2024.
“The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept exists because performance made us do it,” Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said in a statement. “Dodge is about muscle, attitude and performance, and the brand carries that chip on its shoulder and into the BEV segment through a concept of patents, innovations and performance features that embody the electrified muscle of tomorrow.”
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept exists because performance made us do it
Before we talk about the specifications, we need to address this sound. Electric vehicles are inherently silent for the most part due to the lack of an internal combustion engine. And a lot of what defines a Dodge muscle car has to do with the roar of the Hemi engine. So Dodge fans would be excused if they found stepping on the gas pedal of an electric muscle car a little off-putting and that was the sound it made.
How would you describe this noise? Disruptive lion just got spayed? Tracheostomy bobcat with a larynx? The use of fake engine sounds is sure to cause division among muscle car enthusiasts. Some will love it, while others will no doubt find that it leaves a lot to be desired. Dodge calls the “BEV exhaust sound” (which is just a delightful oxymoron) a first of its kind. Whether it’s the right sound for this particular car is up for debate.
How would you describe this noise? Disruptive lion just got spayed?
The look of the Charger Daytona SRT concept is arguably less divisive, as it walks the line between retro and futuristic while maintaining a muscular, aerodynamic stance. Dodge said the intent is to “push aside” (har har) other, duller-looking EV concepts in favor of something more in your face.
There are plenty of design cues said to hark back to Dodge’s heritage — notably the front end features a large airflow opening that the company calls an “R-wing.”
grid view
The other two patent-pending features that Dodge wants to highlight have equally absurd-sounding names. The first is the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust,” which Dodge claims can reach 126 decibels, “making it as loud as a Hellcat-powered Dodge.” And the second is a multi-speed transmission with an electromechanical shift experience, which the car manufacturer calls “eRupt”.
(“Fratzonic” is a reference to a logo Dodge used in the 1960s and 70s called “Fratzog” – a word invented by a designer. It features a split deltoid made up of three arrowheads, forming a three-pointed star.)
The new system pushes the audio through an amplifier and tuning chamber located at the rear of the vehicle. Speaking to CNBC, Kuniskis likened it to a wind organ with chambers and pipes.
“We said, ‘Okay, if it’s going to happen, let’s do it like Dodge,'” Kuniskis told reporters. “We’re not going to go there and do the same thing. Dodge will get lost if we try to do the same as everyone else.”
“Fratzonic chamber exhaust”
However, if you’re looking for more relevant specs like range, battery capacity or charging speed, you’ll have to wait. Dodge isn’t releasing performance metrics for the concept car or the yet-to-be-named production muscle car — not yet.
The automaker revealed that the concept sits atop Dodge’s 800-volt Banshee propulsion system, which if it makes it to production as expected, should allow the electric vehicle to charge at rates of up to 350kW at a DC fast-charging station . In addition, all-wheel drive ensures that the Dodge Charger EV performs well in all conditions.
While electric vehicles are often faster than most gas-powered vehicles thanks to “linear acceleration” that produces amazing 0-60 mph times, they often lack the driving dynamics that many high-performance car owners enjoy. Dodge says it’s trying to bridge that gap by introducing new features like eRupt’s electromechanical shifting. This feature “delivers distinctive shift points and throws the shoulders into the seatbacks in true Dodge style,” the company said.
Similar to Tesla with its Ludicrous mode, the Dodge Charger EV will include what’s called a “PowerShot push-to-pass feature.” At the push of a button on the steering wheel, the PowerShot delivers an “adrenaline rush with increased power for a quick burst of acceleration,” says the company.
In addition to electric versions of Charger and Challenger vehicles, Dodge parent Stellantis also plans to produce electric trucks, including a battery-powered Ram 1500 that would compete with Ford’s forthcoming F-150 Lightning. Dodge’s sister companies such as Jeep, Chrysler and PSA Groupe brands also produce electric vehicles.