Dodge has by no means been a really forward-thinking firm. Automobiles like the previous Charger and Challenger had been made to remind you of the glory days of the American muscle automotive. That they had 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 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 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 might have a totally trendy drivetrain that might 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 truly is one or not, however that is about as near an EV muscle automotive 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 free on the Radford Racing Faculty all so I might check out the 2024 Charger Daytona.
I spent a variety of time with each variations of the Charger Daytona which are at present being supplied, the R/T Stage 1 and the Scat Pack Stage 2, each on observe and on the street. The Daytona does loads to make you suppose 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 quite than the tight stuff, and it’s very at house 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 strong for a “base mannequin” automotive, and it’ll go on to a prime pace 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 might probably dispatch the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, in accordance with Dodge. Prime pace 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 in a position to do a handful of drag strip runs, and even with my dogshit response time of 0.870 (I bought distracted), I used to be in a position to 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. Understand 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 pace is that you simply don’t really feel it. I appeared down on the speedometer climbing extremely rapidly, 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 sooner EVs.
Sadly, for a way good it’s on the drag strip and happening lengthy sweepers on the street, the Charger Daytona begins to crumble on a decent racetrack or actually twisty again street. I didn’t drive the R/T on observe, however I assume its traits can be related 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 relation to heavy EVs, nevertheless it struggles mightily to get round turns. The entrance finish likes to push, even in Monitor mode. The one solution 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 notably effectively. I discovered myself clinging to the steering wheel simply to remain upright. That’s not an excellent 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 bought a variety 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 may smoke the rears. It’s fairly sick if I’m being sincere. To be truthful, 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 street, each vehicles are unimaginable 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 an especially comfy experience over even the bumpiest roads Phoenix needed to supply. It’s bought fairly a twin persona, as the Charger Daytona does typically. You possibly can crank it as much as Sport or Monitor mode and take heed to that Fratzonic “exhaust” bellow, burble and vibrate, or you may click on over to Auto and the entire thing quiets all the way down to a really nice, near-luxury automotive driving expertise. The very fact it has a 121-inch wheelbase in all probability aids in its consolation. No, I don’t care in case you suppose 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 likely one of the centerpieces of Dodge’s new automotive. I’ll be sincere, once 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 complete Fratzonic factor, I ought to point out it’s not only a speaker. Principally, it’s a complete system of chambers beneath the Charger Daytona joined with woofers and mid-range audio system. It’s presupposed to be a mixture of digital and analog noise, and it principally will get there. Because it seems, the “Fratzog” identify and emblem aren’t new. They had been round within the ‘60s by the early Nineteen Eighties.
It would sound corny to say, however I swear it does an excellent job of constructing you neglect you’re in an electrical automotive. 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 quite than a large V8. That isn’t to say it simply seems like an everyday ICE exhaust; it’s completely different. There are a variety of noises happening that sound by some means each from the previous and future. And you realize what? When 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, 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 automotive for Christ’s sake. It’s presupposed to be foolish. I’ll by no means get why folks 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 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 Giant 400-volt structure that’s being shared throughout the corporate; I want it was working an 800-volt like a variety of different trendy EVs, however that gained’t occur till the SRT Banshee mannequin. Dodge says you may 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 might probably cost from 5 to 80 % in 32.5 minutes, which isn’t dangerous. With a regular 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 once you’re transferring 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 a variety of time sculpting the brand new Charger Daytona to be as slippery as doable whereas reducing by the air to provide the very best vary numbers. What they bought was a automotive that generated a hell of a variety of controversy. Some folks dig the best way this automotive appears to be like, others hate it. I’m someplace within the center. I feel 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 massive, seem like too small. Styling is at all times subjective, although, so your outcomes might fluctuate. A few of the extra noticeable aero-focusing design cues may 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 fully large trunk and opening. It makes you understand that every one vehicles ought to be liftbacks.
Inside, the Charger Daytona is a much more modern-feeling automotive than the sedan and coupe it replaces. In fact, there are screens. Two, the truth is. 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 quite 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-compulsory. Regardless, all of this screeny-ness works fairly effectively. Layouts are clear and straightforward to grasp, and you may put a ton of data within the gauge cluster. Nonetheless, the system is a bit laggy for my liking. A couple of 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 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 may need.
In the case 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, nevertheless it quietly makes probably the greatest driver-assist suites within the automotive business, which makes the Charger Daytona much more of a strong automotive 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 may eat up miles on this factor.
The switchgear was fairly advantageous. I imply, it’s principally stuff you’d discover in different Stellantis merchandise, so take that for no matter it’s price. Whereas nearly every part is managed by the touchscreen, some controls, like these for the local weather system, are reserved for bodily buttons. Nicely, 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 automotive, nevertheless it’s an enormous improve over the earlier Charger and Challenger. Supplies decisions are all fairly strong 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 arduous, low cost plastic, however not less than it appeared 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 bought 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 not less than 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 automotive 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 might have favored it if the seats went down one other half-inch or so. I’m oddly formed, so your outcomes might 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 non-compulsory) frunk that may take an additional 1.5 cubic ft, which is sweet sufficient on your charging cable, I assume.
You might be questioning simply how a lot all of those electrical muscle-y goodness prices. Nicely, people, it ain’t low cost. The Charger Daytona R/T begins at $61,590, together with vacation spot and the obligatory 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 obligatory $3,200 Stage 2 Bundle, the $4,995 Plus Group, the $2,995 Solar and Sound Bundle, the $3,495 Monitor 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 actual fact the vehicles will qualify for the complete $7,500 federal EV tax credit score in case you lease them — for now, not less than. 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 course 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 automotive into the electrical age and defeating “boring” electrical vehicles. I feel the oldsters who labored on this automotive bought it many of the means there. It has all the suitable sounds, appears to be like and efficiency of an actual muscle automotive. My solely concern is that it isn’t fairly visceral sufficient. Positive, the Fratzonic exhaust helps a bit, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not all the best way there. It doesn’t even matter if the Charger is type of crappy on the observe. Muscle vehicles are presupposed 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.
