Dodge has by no means been a really forward-thinking firm. Vehicles like the previous Charger and Challenger had been made to remind you of the glory days of the American muscle automotive. They’d huge engines, had been as massive as medium-sized yachts and weren’t nice at going round a nook. Now, the 110-year-old automaker is trying to change all of that with the introduction of the 2024 Charger Daytona EV.
The brand new Charger is being billed as the primary electrical muscle automotive (since you actually shouldn’t rely the Mustang Mach-E), so for the primary time in a very long time, Dodge is forward of the curve. Nonetheless, whereas the Charger Daytona could have a totally fashionable drivetrain that would make it really feel like each different massive EV on the market if utilized incorrectly, the engineers and designers at Dodge put in sufficient considerate, fascinating and foolish touches to make it really feel like an actual muscle automotive. I’m nonetheless undecided if the electrical Charger really is one or not, however that is about as near an EV muscle automotive as you’re going to seek out.
Full Disclosure: Dodge flew me out to Phoenix, put me up in a pleasant lodge, fed me and let me free on the Radford Racing College all so I might check out the 2024 Charger Daytona.
I spent a variety of time with each variations of the Charger Daytona which can be presently being provided, the R/T Stage 1 and the Scat Pack Stage 2, each on monitor and on the highway. The Daytona does loads to make you assume it’s an actual, bona fide muscle automotive however, all of its muscle-y traits pale compared to its most muscle automotive attribute: the best way it drives. What I imply by that’s it’s rattling quick in a straight line, and all of it type of falls aside within the corners. That’s what being an actual muscle automotive is all about. The Charger Daytona is happiest in lengthy sweepers slightly than the tight stuff, and it’s very at residence getting into a straight line.
Dodge says the R/T’s dual-motor setup makes 456 horsepower (or 496 for 10 seconds once you hit the Energy Shot button) and 404 lb-ft of torque. That’s sufficient to get this 5,698-pound, 206.6-inch-long liftback coupe from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.6 seconds. It’ll blast you down the quarter mile in 12.6 seconds, very stable for a “base mannequin” automotive, and it’ll go on to a high velocity of 135 mph. Oh, and also you get a 308-mile EPA-estimated vary from the 100.5-kWh battery.
The Scat Pack shares the motors because the R/T, simply cranked as much as 11 on this software. They pump out a mixed 630 horsepower ( or 670 for 10 seconds once you hit the Energy Shot button) and a whopping 627 lb-ft of torque. Vary from the same-sized battery pack takes successful to simply 241 miles, however the 0-to-60 time drops to simply 3.3 seconds and it could possibly dispatch the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, in keeping with Dodge. Prime velocity stays the identical at a gear-limited 135 mph. Belief me after I say it’s each bit as fast as Dodge says it’s.
I used to be capable of do a handful of drag strip runs, and even with my dogshit response time of 0.870 (I received distracted), I used to be capable of get this 5,767-pound behemoth down the quarter-mile in 11.74 seconds at 118 mph. All of the whereas the Fratzonic chambered exhaust was screaming behind me. Remember the fact that with me and my passenger included, the Scat Pack factor was most likely clocking in round 6,200 kilos. It’s no slouch. I used to be, in fact, aided by the Drag mode that loosens up from the entrance multi-link suspension, stiffens the rear multi-link and offers you full energy, however nonetheless. My one gripe with the Charger’s velocity is that you simply don’t really feel it. I appeared down on the speedometer climbing extremely shortly, however I by no means felt like I used to be going that quick. I’m undecided what that’s all about — perhaps I’m too jaded by even sooner EVs.
Sadly, for a way good it’s on the drag strip and taking place lengthy sweepers on the highway, the Charger Daytona begins to disintegrate on a decent racetrack or actually twisty again highway. I didn’t drive the R/T on monitor, however I assume its traits could be related or most likely a bit worse than the Scat Pack. The Scat Pack’s steering is okay, type of par for the course with regards to heavy EVs, however it struggles mightily to get round turns. The entrance finish likes to push, even in Observe mode. The one option to actually defeat that’s by trailbraking, as a result of giving it extra energy simply washes it out extra.
One other difficulty was feeling like I used to be struggling to carry on to the squircle steering wheel in high-G corners. The 12-way monitor seats are very comfortable, however even with adjustable bolsters, they didn’t maintain me in significantly nicely. I discovered myself clinging to the steering wheel simply to remain upright. That’s not an important feeling once you’re pushing 100 mph going right into a flip at Radford’s 0.70-mile dealing with course. Earlier than the tires do lastly hand over, you’ve received a variety of grip because of the staggered Goodyear Eagle F1s measuring 305/35R20 up entrance and 325/35R20s out again. Nonetheless, on a tough launch, you’ll be able to smoke the rears. It’s fairly sick if I’m being sincere. To be honest, the previous Charger and Challenger weren’t precisely monitor stars both, so that you shouldn’t be too shocked to seek out out their successor, whereas vastly improved, nonetheless isn’t as nimble as a stripped-out Miata.
On the highway, each vehicles are unbelievable cruisers. I’m most impressed with the Charger’s suspension. It may not translate completely to the monitor, however I discovered each vehicles to have a particularly snug trip over even the bumpiest roads Phoenix needed to supply. It’s received fairly a twin persona, as the Charger Daytona does normally. You’ll be able to crank it as much as Sport or Observe mode and hearken to that Fratzonic “exhaust” bellow, burble and vibrate, or you’ll be able to click on over to Auto and the entire thing quiets right down to a really nice, near-luxury automotive driving expertise. The actual fact it has a 121-inch wheelbase most likely aids in its consolation. No, I don’t care in case you assume it’s too lengthy. It ought to be even longer. Whereas representing a brand new period of muscle vehicles, the brand new Costr nonetheless feels a hell of loads like muscle vehicles of previous.
I ought to take a while to speak about one thing I’ve already talked about a few instances: the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Like it or hate it, this is without doubt one of the centerpieces of Dodge’s new automotive. I’ll be sincere, after I first heard it in idea kind a couple of years in the past, I wasn’t actually in love. Let me let you know, it sounds significantly better in particular person. For many who are unfamiliar with this entire Fratzonic factor, I ought to point out it’s not only a speaker. Mainly, it’s a complete system of chambers beneath the Charger Daytona joined with woofers and mid-range audio system. It’s imagined to be a mixture of digital and analog noise, and it largely will get there. Because it seems, the “Fratzog” identify and emblem aren’t new. They had been round within the ‘60s by way of the early Eighties.
It would sound corny to say, however I swear it does an important job of creating you overlook you’re in an electrical automotive. I’m not kidding, of us. There have been a few instances after I was driving down the highway, “exhaust” screaming, and I forgot I used to be being pushed together with electrons slightly than a large V8. That isn’t to say it simply seems like a daily ICE exhaust; it’s totally different. There are a variety of noises occurring that sound someway each from the previous and future. And what? If you happen to don’t prefer it there are many different EVs on the market that drive alongside silently. I believe what I get pleasure from most concerning the exhaust, apart from its wildly loud startup and shut-down noise, is the very fact it’s a bit foolish. This can be a Dodge muscle automotive for Christ’s sake. It’s imagined to be foolish. I’ll by no means get why folks hate enjoyable, even when it’s ineffective in most real-world functions. It’s a noise as loud as a Hellcat motor with a goofy identify. How will you not prefer it?
The Charger has extra critical behind-the-scenes stuff along with its foolish bits. It’s constructed on Stellantis’ SLTA Massive 400-volt structure that’s being shared throughout the corporate; I want it was working an 800-volt like a variety of different fashionable EVs, however that gained’t occur till the SRT Banshee mannequin. Dodge says you’ll be able to recharge the Charger’s 100.5-kWh battery (93.9 kWh of which is usable) at as much as 183 kW on a 350-kW charger. That’s not precisely world-beating, however Dodge says it could possibly cost from 5 to 80 % in 32.5 minutes, which isn’t dangerous. With an ordinary Degree 2 charger, that point balloons to six.8 hours in each the R/T and Scat Pack. The R/T and Scat Pack’s 308 miles of vary and 241 miles of vary, respectively, aren’t world-beating, however once you’re transferring this a lot tire and mass down the highway, there’s solely a lot you are able to do. There are additionally a handful of regenerative braking ranges to select from, together with full one-pedal driving.
Dodge’s engineers and designers spent a variety of time sculpting the brand new Charger Daytona to be as slippery as attainable whereas slicing by way of the air to supply the absolute best vary numbers. What they received was a automotive that generated a hell of a variety of controversy. Some folks dig the best way this automotive appears, others hate it. I’m someplace within the center. I believe its finest angles are the entrance and rear head-on views. That’s the place I see probably the most affect from Dodges passed by. Even the entrance three-quarter view isn’t too shabby. The one place the place the design doesn’t actually work for me is the again three-quarter space above the rear wheels. I simply really feel like some ratio is off, and it makes the rear wheels, that are very massive, look like too small. Styling is at all times subjective, although, so your outcomes could fluctuate. A number of the extra noticeable aero-focusing design cues could be discovered up entrance and out again. In entrance of the hood, Dodge put on this actually neat R-Wing that channels air over the hood cleanly. Out again, the most important factor you’ll discover is the very fact it’s a liftback, and that’s so sick. Dodge did it to increase the roof and enhance aerodynamics, and what it offers you is a fully enormous trunk and opening. It makes you notice that each one vehicles ought to be liftbacks.
Inside, the Charger Daytona is a much more modern-feeling automotive than the sedan and coupe it replaces. After all, there are screens. Two, actually. Within the center, there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen working Stellantis’ Uconnect 5. As for the gauge cluster, all Scat Packs include a slightly huge 16-inch display whereas lower-end R/Ts make do with a ten.25-inch display, however the greater one is optionally available. Regardless, all of this screeny-ness works fairly nicely. Layouts are clear and straightforward to know, and you may put a ton of knowledge within the gauge cluster. Nevertheless, the system is a bit laggy for my liking. Just a few instances I discovered myself double-clicking and ending up on the flawed menu as a result of the flight took so lengthy to register. Granted, these had been all pre-production vehicles, so perhaps that’ll get sorted out earlier than launch. Who is aware of? Oh, there’s additionally a heads-up show that can provide you no matter pertinent info you would need.
In terms of different security tech like a 360 digital camera, adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help, these are all fairly stellar too. I give Stellantis a variety of shit, however it quietly makes probably the greatest driver-assist suites within the automotive business, which makes the Charger Daytona much more of a stable automotive for long-distance driving. Between the Degree 2 automated driving system and cozy ass seats (whether or not they’re the bottom seats within the R/T or the tighter buckets of the Scat Pack), you’ll be able to eat up miles on this factor.
The switchgear was fairly superb. I imply, it’s largely stuff you’d discover in different Stellantis merchandise, so take that for no matter it’s price. Whereas virtually the whole lot is managed by way of the touchscreen, some controls, like these for the local weather system, are reserved for bodily buttons. Nicely, they’re haptic, however I suppose that’s higher than nothing.
Total, the remainder of the inside is pretty good. It’s not a luxurious automotive, however it’s an enormous improve over the earlier Charger and Challenger. Supplies selections are all fairly stable for a “muscle automotive.” The R/T I drove had a really neat 3D sample on the door playing cards that gave it a pleasant look when the ambient lighting was turned on. It felt like onerous, low-cost plastic, however at the very least it appeared cool. The Scat Packs all had a carbon-fiber-looking plastic of their place, which felt extra premium however actually not as distinctive. I additionally respect that though that is Dodge’s most superior car ever, designers nonetheless discovered room for loads of plastichrome. Don’t fear, muscle lovers, it’s nonetheless received a “Pistol Grip” shifter, even when the one factor you’re shifting is PRND.
One other factor the Charger Daytona does nicely is present inside area. This factor is very large from the skin, so at the very least that continues inside. It’s not hyperbole after I sat this coupe has the roomiest again seat I’ve ever been in. Rear passengers within the coupe have 36.9 inches of headroom and 37.2 inches of legroom. It’s the identical dimensions the four-door automotive could have, in keeping with Dodge. No area is sacrificed up entrance, both. I had loads of room for my 6-foot-1 body. I did have some bother discovering a snug driving place, although. I might have favored it if the seats went down one other half-inch or so. I’m oddly formed, so your outcomes could fluctuate. There’s additionally tons of cargo room. Dodge says the rear hatch can swallow 22.8 cubic ft of your issues (37.4 cubes with the rear seats folded), and if that’s not sufficient, there’s a modest (and optionally available) frunk that may take an extra 1.5 cubic ft, which is nice sufficient in your charging cable, I suppose.
It’s possible you’ll be questioning simply how a lot all of those electrical muscle-y goodness prices. Nicely, of us, it ain’t low-cost. The Charger Daytona R/T begins at $61,590, together with vacation spot and the necessary Stage 1 Bundle, and the one I drove was $70,970 as examined. A bump as much as the Scat Pack will get that value to $75,185, and in case you add a couple of choices just like the necessary $3,200 Stage 2 Bundle, the $4,995 Plus Group, the $2,995 Solar and Sound Bundle, the $3,495 Observe Bundle and some extra odds and ends, you get an $85,965 as-tested value. That could be a lot for a Dodge, however you do get a variety of efficiency, and you may rely on the very fact the vehicles will qualify for the complete $7,500 federal EV tax credit score in case you lease them — for now, at the very least. If these are costs you’re keen to pay, then excellent news: two-door Charger Daytonas are simply beginning to hit sellers as 2024 fashions for regulatory causes. On January 1, they’ll swap to being 2025 fashions. We are able to anticipate to see the four-door Charger Daytona in addition to the internal-combustion-powered Charger Sixpack someday in the midst of 2025.
All the time I used to be on this program, Dodge representatives and even its CEO talked to me about bringing the muscle automotive into the electrical age and defeating “boring” electrical vehicles. I believe the parents who labored on this automotive received it many of the approach there. It has all the correct sounds, appears and efficiency of an actual muscle automotive. My solely difficulty is that it isn’t fairly visceral sufficient. Positive, the Fratzonic exhaust helps a bit, however it’s nonetheless not all the best way there. It doesn’t even matter if the Charger is type of crappy on the monitor. Muscle vehicles are imagined to be like that. There’s only a lifelessness and refinement that comes with electrical vehicles that makes it really feel a bit, I don’t know, sterile. Nonetheless, for a automotive that shares its structure with midsize crossovers, the Charger Daytona EV is a hell of a variety of enjoyable. I’m simply not fairly positive if it’s a real article or a really spectacular cosplay.
