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 automobile. They’d large 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 automobile (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, attention-grabbing and foolish touches to make it really feel like an actual muscle automobile. I’m nonetheless unsure if the electrical Charger really is one or not, however that is about as near an EV muscle automobile as you’re going to search out.
Full Disclosure: Dodge flew me out to Phoenix, put me up in a pleasant resort, fed me and let me unfastened on the Radford Racing Faculty all so I may check out the 2024 Charger Daytona.
I spent loads of time with each variations of the Charger Daytona which can be presently being supplied, the R/T Stage 1 and the Scat Pack Stage 2, each on monitor and on the street. The Daytona does loads to make you assume it’s an actual, bona fide muscle automobile however, all of its muscle-y traits pale compared to its most muscle automobile attribute: the way in which 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 automobile is all about. The Charger Daytona is happiest in lengthy sweepers somewhat than the tight stuff, and it’s very at house moving into a straight line.
Dodge says the R/T’s dual-motor setup makes 456 horsepower (or 496 for 10 seconds if 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 strong for a “base mannequin” automobile, 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 if you hit the Energy Shot button) and a whopping 627 lb-ft of torque. Vary from the same-sized battery pack takes a success to only 241 miles, however the 0-to-60 time drops to only 3.3 seconds and it could actually dispatch the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, in response to Dodge. High velocity stays the identical at a gear-limited 135 mph. Belief me once 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 obtained 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 that with me and my passenger included, the Scat Pack factor was in all probability clocking in round 6,200 kilos. It’s no slouch. I used to be, after all, 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 just don’t really feel it. I regarded down on the speedometer climbing extremely shortly, however I by no means felt like I used to be going that quick. I’m unsure what that’s all about — possibly I’m too jaded by even sooner EVs.
Sadly, for the way good it’s on the drag strip and taking place lengthy sweepers on the street, the Charger Daytona begins to disintegrate on a good racetrack or actually twisty again street. I didn’t drive the R/T on monitor, however I assume its traits could be comparable or in all probability a bit worse than the Scat Pack. The Scat Pack’s steering is ok, type of par for the course in terms of heavy EVs, but it surely struggles mightily to get round turns. The entrance finish likes to push, even in Observe mode. The one approach to actually defeat that’s by trailbraking, as a result of giving it extra energy simply washes it out extra.
One other problem 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 cozy, however even with adjustable bolsters, they didn’t maintain me in significantly properly. I discovered myself clinging to the steering wheel simply to remain upright. That’s not an awesome feeling if 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 quit, you’ve obtained loads of grip due to the staggered Goodyear Eagle F1s measuring 305/35R20 up entrance and 325/35R20s out again. Nonetheless, on a tough launch, you possibly can smoke the rears. It’s fairly sick if I’m being trustworthy. To be honest, the previous Charger and Challenger weren’t precisely monitor stars both, so that you shouldn’t be too shocked to search out out their successor, whereas vastly improved, nonetheless isn’t as nimble as a stripped-out Miata.
On the street, each automobiles are unimaginable cruisers. I’m most impressed with the Charger’s suspension. It won’t translate completely to the monitor, however I discovered each automobiles to have an especially snug trip over even the bumpiest roads Phoenix needed to provide. It’s obtained fairly a twin character, as the Charger Daytona does generally. You may crank it as much as Sport or Observe mode and take heed to that Fratzonic “exhaust” bellow, burble and vibrate, or you possibly can click on over to Auto and the entire thing quiets all the way down to a really nice, near-luxury automobile driving expertise. The very fact it has a 121-inch wheelbase in all probability aids in its consolation. No, I don’t care should you assume it’s too lengthy. It ought to be even longer. Whereas representing a brand new period of muscle automobiles, the brand new Costr nonetheless feels a hell of loads like muscle automobiles 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 automobile. I’ll be trustworthy, once I first heard it in idea type a number of years in the past, I wasn’t actually in love. Let me let you know, it sounds significantly better in individual. For individuals who are unfamiliar with this entire Fratzonic factor, I ought to point out it’s not only a speaker. Mainly, it’s an entire system of chambers beneath the Charger Daytona joined with woofers and mid-range audio system. It’s alleged to be a mixture of digital and analog noise, and it principally will get there. Because it seems, the “Fratzog” title and brand aren’t new. They had been round within the ‘60s by the early Eighties.
It’d sound corny to say, however I swear it does an awesome job of creating you overlook you’re in an electrical automobile. I’m not kidding, people. There have been a few instances once I was driving down the street, “exhaust” screaming, and I forgot I used to be being pushed together with electrons somewhat than a large V8. That isn’t to say it simply seems like a daily ICE exhaust; it’s completely different. There are loads of noises occurring that sound one way or the other each from the previous and future. And what? Should you don’t prefer it there are many different EVs on the market that drive alongside silently. I feel what I take pleasure in most concerning the exhaust, apart from its wildly loud startup and shut-down noise, is the actual fact it’s a bit foolish. It is a Dodge muscle automobile for Christ’s sake. It’s alleged to be foolish. I’ll by no means get why individuals 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 title. 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 Giant 400-volt structure that’s being shared throughout the corporate; I want it was operating an 800-volt like loads of different fashionable EVs, however that gained’t occur till the SRT Banshee mannequin. Dodge says you possibly can 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 actually cost from 5 to 80 p.c in 32.5 minutes, which isn’t dangerous. With an ordinary Stage 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 if you’re shifting this a lot tire and mass down the street, 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 loads of time sculpting the brand new Charger Daytona to be as slippery as potential whereas chopping by the air to supply the absolute best vary numbers. What they obtained was a automobile that generated a hell of loads of controversy. Some individuals dig the way in which this automobile appears to be like, others hate it. I’m someplace within the center. I feel its finest angles are the entrance and rear head-on views. That’s the place I see essentially 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 all the time subjective, although, so your outcomes could fluctuate. A few of the extra noticeable aero-focusing design cues might 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 largest factor you’ll discover is the actual fact it’s a liftback, and that’s so sick. Dodge did it to increase the roof and enhance aerodynamics, and what it provides you is a completely big trunk and opening. It makes you notice that each one automobiles ought to be liftbacks.
Inside, the Charger Daytona is a much more modern-feeling automobile than the sedan and coupe it replaces. After all, there are screens. Two, the truth is. Within the center, there’s a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen operating Stellantis’ Uconnect 5. As for the gauge cluster, all Scat Packs include a somewhat large 16-inch display screen whereas lower-end R/Ts make do with a ten.25-inch display screen, however the larger one is non-obligatory. Regardless, all of this screeny-ness works fairly properly. Layouts are clear and simple to know, and you may put a ton of data within the gauge cluster. Nonetheless, 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 automobiles, so possibly 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 could possibly need.
Relating to different security tech like a 360 digital camera, adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help, these are all fairly stellar too. I give Stellantis loads of shit, but it surely quietly makes the most effective driver-assist suites within the automotive business, which makes the Charger Daytona much more of a strong automobile for long-distance driving. Between the Stage 2 automated driving system and comfortable ass seats (whether or not they’re the bottom seats within the R/T or the tighter buckets of the Scat Pack), you possibly can eat up miles on this factor.
The switchgear was fairly superb. I imply, it’s principally stuff you’d discover in different Stellantis merchandise, so take that for no matter it’s value. Whereas virtually every thing is managed by the touchscreen, some controls, like these for the local weather system, are reserved for bodily buttons. Properly, they’re haptic, however I assume that’s higher than nothing.
General, the remainder of the inside is pretty good. It’s not a luxurious automobile, but it surely’s an enormous improve over the earlier Charger and Challenger. Supplies decisions are all fairly strong for a “muscle automobile.” 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 arduous, low cost plastic, however at the very least it regarded 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 although that is Dodge’s most superior car ever, designers nonetheless discovered room for loads of plastichrome. Don’t fear, muscle lovers, it’s nonetheless obtained a “Pistol Grip” shifter, even when the one factor you’re shifting is PRND.
One other factor the Charger Daytona does properly is present inside area. This factor is very large from the skin, so at the very least that continues inside. It’s not hyperbole once 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 automobile can have, in response to 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 cushty driving place, although. I’d have appreciated 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 toes of your issues (37.4 cubes with the rear seats folded), and if that’s not sufficient, there’s a modest (and non-obligatory) frunk that may take an extra 1.5 cubic toes, which is sweet sufficient to your charging cable, I assume.
You could be questioning simply how a lot all of those electrical muscle-y goodness prices. Properly, people, it ain’t low cost. The Charger Daytona R/T begins at $61,590, together with vacation spot and the obligatory Stage 1 Package deal, 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 should you add a number of choices just like the obligatory $3,200 Stage 2 Package deal, the $4,995 Plus Group, the $2,995 Solar and Sound Package deal, the $3,495 Observe Package deal 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 loads of efficiency, and you may rely on the actual fact the automobiles will qualify for the complete $7,500 federal EV tax credit score should 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 change 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 automobile into the electrical age and defeating “boring” electrical automobiles. I feel the parents who labored on this automobile obtained it a lot of the manner there. It has all the fitting sounds, appears to be like and efficiency of an actual muscle automobile. My solely problem is that it isn’t fairly visceral sufficient. Positive, the Fratzonic exhaust helps a bit, but it surely’s nonetheless not all the way in which there. It doesn’t even matter if the Charger is type of crappy on the monitor. Muscle automobiles are alleged to be like that. There’s only a lifelessness and refinement that comes with electrical automobiles that makes it really feel a bit, I don’t know, sterile. Nonetheless, for a automobile that shares its structure with midsize crossovers, the Charger Daytona EV is a hell of loads of enjoyable. I’m simply not fairly certain if it’s a real article or a really spectacular cosplay.
