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. That they had huge engines, had been as huge as medium-sized yachts and weren’t nice at going round a nook. Now, the 110-year-old automaker is seeking 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 might have a completely fashionable drivetrain that might make it really feel like each different huge 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 undecided if the electrical Charger truly 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 College all so I might check out the 2024 Charger Daytona.
I spent a whole lot 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 observe and on the highway. The Daytona does rather a lot to make you suppose it’s an actual, bona fide muscle automobile however, all of its muscle-y traits pale compared to its most muscle automobile attribute: the best way it drives. What I imply by that’s it’s rattling quick in a straight line, and all of it kind 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 moderately 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 while 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 while 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 simply 241 miles, however the 0-to-60 time drops to simply 3.3 seconds and it may possibly dispatch the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, in accordance 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 acquired 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 provides you full energy, however nonetheless. My one gripe with the Charger’s velocity is that you simply don’t really feel it. I seemed 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 — possibly I’m too jaded by even quicker EVs.
Sadly, for the way good it’s on the drag strip and taking place lengthy sweepers on the highway, the Charger Daytona begins to disintegrate on a good racetrack or actually twisty again highway. I didn’t drive the R/T on observe, 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, kind of par for the course in terms of heavy EVs, however it struggles mightily to get round turns. The entrance finish likes to push, even in Monitor 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 concern was feeling like I used to be struggling to carry on to the squircle steering wheel in high-G corners. The 12-way observe seats are very comfortable, however even with adjustable bolsters, they didn’t maintain me in significantly effectively. I discovered myself clinging to the steering wheel simply to remain upright. That’s not an important feeling while 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 acquired a whole lot 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 trustworthy. To be honest, the previous Charger and Challenger weren’t precisely observe 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 highway, each vehicles are unbelievable cruisers. I’m most impressed with the Charger’s suspension. It won’t translate completely to the observe, however I discovered each vehicles to have a particularly comfy experience over even the bumpiest roads Phoenix needed to provide. It’s acquired fairly a twin persona, as the Charger Daytona does typically. You’ll be able to crank it as much as Sport or Monitor 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 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 in the event you suppose it’s too lengthy. It needs to be even longer. Whereas representing a brand new period of muscle vehicles, the brand new Costr nonetheless feels a hell of rather a lot like muscle vehicles of previous.
I ought to take a while to speak about one thing I’ve already talked about a few occasions: the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Like it or hate it, this is among the centerpieces of Dodge’s new automobile. I’ll be trustworthy, after I first heard it in idea type a couple of years in the past, I wasn’t actually in love. Let me let you know, it sounds a lot better in particular person. For many who are unfamiliar with this complete 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 speculated to be a mixture of digital and analog noise, and it largely will get there. Because it seems, the “Fratzog” title and emblem aren’t new. They had been round within the ‘60s by means of the early Eighties.
It would sound corny to say, however I swear it does an important job of constructing you overlook you’re in an electrical automobile. I’m not kidding, people. There have been a few occasions after I was driving down the highway, “exhaust” screaming, and I forgot I used to be being pushed together with electrons moderately than a large V8. That isn’t to say it simply appears like an everyday ICE exhaust; it’s totally different. There are a whole lot of noises happening that sound one way or the other each from the previous and future. And you recognize 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, aside from its wildly loud startup and shut-down noise, is the actual fact it’s a bit foolish. This can be a Dodge muscle automobile for Christ’s sake. It’s speculated to be foolish. I’ll by no means get why individuals hate enjoyable, even when it’s ineffective in most real-world purposes. 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 working an 800-volt like a whole lot 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 may possibly cost from 5 to 80 p.c in 32.5 minutes, which isn’t dangerous. With a normal 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 while 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 whole lot of time sculpting the brand new Charger Daytona to be as slippery as attainable whereas chopping by means of the air to supply the absolute best vary numbers. What they acquired was a automobile that generated a hell of a whole lot of controversy. Some individuals dig the best way this automobile seems, others hate it. I’m someplace within the center. I believe its greatest 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 huge, seem like too small. Styling is all the time subjective, although, so your outcomes might differ. A few 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 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 enormous trunk and opening. It makes you notice that each one vehicles needs 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, in truth. 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 moderately huge 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 effectively. Layouts are clear and simple to grasp, and you’ll put a ton of knowledge within the gauge cluster. Nevertheless, the system is a bit laggy for my liking. A number of occasions I discovered myself double-clicking and ending up on the fallacious menu as a result of the flight took so lengthy to register. Granted, these had been all pre-production vehicles, so possibly that’ll get sorted out earlier than launch. Who is aware of? Oh, there’s additionally a heads-up show that may give you no matter pertinent data you can 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 whole lot 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 strong automobile for long-distance driving. Between the Stage 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 tremendous. I imply, it’s largely stuff you’d discover in different Stellantis merchandise, so take that for no matter it’s price. Whereas virtually all the things is managed by means of the touchscreen, some controls, like these for the local weather system, are reserved for bodily buttons. Effectively, they’re haptic, however I assume that’s higher than nothing.
Total, the remainder of the inside is pretty good. It’s not a luxurious automobile, however it’s an enormous improve over the earlier Charger and Challenger. Supplies selections 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 laborious, low-cost plastic, however a minimum of it seemed cool. The Scat Packs all had a carbon-fiber-looking plastic of their place, which felt extra premium however definitely not as distinctive. I additionally admire 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 acquired a “Pistol Grip” shifter, even when the one factor you’re shifting is PRND.
One other factor the Charger Daytona does effectively is present inside house. This factor is huge from the surface, so a minimum of 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 automobile may have, in accordance with Dodge. No house 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’d have favored it if the seats went down one other half-inch or so. I’m oddly formed, so your outcomes might differ. 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 in your charging cable, I assume.
It’s possible you’ll be questioning simply how a lot all of those electrical muscle-y goodness prices. Effectively, people, it ain’t low-cost. The Charger Daytona R/T begins at $61,590, together with vacation spot and the necessary 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 in the event you add a couple of choices just like the necessary $3,200 Stage 2 Package deal, the $4,995 Plus Group, the $2,995 Solar and Sound Package deal, the $3,495 Monitor 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 a whole lot of efficiency, and you’ll rely on the actual fact the vehicles will qualify for the total $7,500 federal EV tax credit score in the event you lease them — for now, a minimum of. 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.
Your complete 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 vehicles. I believe the oldsters who labored on this automobile acquired it a lot of the manner there. It has all the correct sounds, seems and efficiency of an actual muscle automobile. My solely concern is that it isn’t fairly visceral sufficient. Certain, 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 kind of crappy on the observe. Muscle vehicles are speculated 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 automobile that shares its structure with midsize crossovers, the Charger Daytona EV is a hell of a whole lot of enjoyable. I’m simply not fairly certain if it’s a real article or a really spectacular cosplay.
