After a teasing campaign, Dodge officially unveils its first 100% electric Dodge Charger Daytona. This electric car follows in the tradition of American muscle cars, with up to 670 hp and 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Oh, and she makes (a lot) of noise. Here is all the info.
Clearly, no car is going to escape the electrification of the market. Even the models most attached to thermal engines use it, and we have the proof today with the officialization of the electric Dodge Charger. We were already a little familiar with the concept.
After a few teaser images, Dodge unveils the new generation of its famous coupe in a long press release. An important model, since it inaugurates the STLA Large platform from Stellantis (to which Dodge belongs, as well as Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep and even Maserati). Here are all the details of this muscle car 2.0.
A muscular style
This new Charger stays true to its roots, including imposing styling. The Dodge coupe measures 5.25 m long (including 3.07 m between the wheels) and 2.03 m wide (excluding mirrors!); impressive dimensions, which the style does not help.
A very massive and very simple style, with a front including a sort of fin above the optics. Very simple optics, connected by a light strip. The profile is also very smooth, with a well-defined edge line… and that’s about it. At the back, a light strip overlooks a very massive shield. In short, nothing very subtle.
The interior isn’t particularly lacy either. There are two screens: one in the center of the 12.3-inch dashboard, associated with an instrumentation screen behind the steering wheel of 10.25 or 16 inches depending on the version. Head-up vision can also be part of the journey.
The connected central screen can receive wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay compatibility, as well as Alexa or navigation including a route planner. Finally, note the support for a digital key via a smartphone application.
For the rest, we find ambient lighting surrounding the passenger compartment (a bit like the new Tesla Model 3) configurable in 64 colors. The interior is spacious, with five seats and a rear trunk of 644 liters, to which must be added 42 liters via a frunk in the front.
Two 100% electric versions
Let’s get to the heart of the matter: performance. This Charger has, at its launch, two 100% electric versions, named Daytona R/T and Daytona Scat Pack.
The Daytona R/T serves as the “first prize”, with already 456 hp, which can reach 496 hp via a temporary overboost. The couple ? 548 Nm, enough to take the 2.65 tonnes empty from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.7 s. The quarter mile (402 meters) is completed in 13.1 seconds.
For its part, the Daytons Scat Pack flexes its muscles. Its power increases to 630 hp (670 hp in overboost) and the torque to 850 Nm, enough to reduce the 0 to 60 mph to 3.3 s and the quarter mile to 11.5 s. Top speed: 134 mph (216 km/h), surprisingly less than the R/T, which tops out at 137 mph (220 km/h).
This Scat Pack version allows Dodge to claim that its electric Charger remains “the most powerful and fastest muscle car in the world”.
The battery is shared: count 100.5 gross kWh (including 93.9 kWh actually usable) using a 400 volt architecture. The 183 kW maximum recharge allows you to go from 5 to 80% in 32.5 minutes very precisely. Slow charging (alternating current) is entrusted to an 11 kW charger.
In terms of autonomy, Dodge estimates that the R/T version will be able to travel 317 miles (510 km) on a charge, while the more powerful Scat Pack should be satisfied with 260 miles (418 km).
Note at the same time that Dodge perpetuates its heritage by offering after-sales kits to further increase the power of its electric Chargers. Oh, and it will make noise. A lot of noise. Thanks to his Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, it even promises to make as much noise as the terrifying Hellcat, equipped with a huge V8. It should then make as much noise as the concept, which was equipped with the same technology.
Similar technology is also found on the Abarth 500e and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
However, it is necessary to note that the Charger is not the only American electric super sports car. Its biggest rival, the Tesla Model S Plaid, is formidable. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, while being able to climb up to 200 mph (322 km/h), travel 359 miles (578 km) on a charge and go from 10 to 80% in 25 minutes.
A start of production in mid-2024, an arrival in Europe planned
These electric Chargers will begin production in mid-2024, before being joined, at the beginning of 2025, by sedan… and thermal versions. Prices are not yet known.
Will we be entitled to it in Europe? This is not excluded, since Dodge has announced that they will arrive with 100% electric models. Enough to shake up European sports car manufacturers, who are still quite timid on electric vehicles – apart from Maserati, also a member of Stellantis.