Dodge has by no means been a very forward-thinking firm. Automobiles like the outdated Charger and Challenger have been made to remind you of the glory days of the American muscle automotive. That they had huge engines, have 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 might have a completely 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, attention-grabbing 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 seek out.
Full Disclosure: Dodge flew me out to Phoenix, put me up in a pleasant lodge, fed me and let me unfastened on the Radford Racing Faculty all so I might check out the 2024 Charger Daytona.
I spent quite a lot of time with each variations of the Charger Daytona which might be at the moment being supplied, the R/T Stage 1 and the Scat Pack Stage 2, each on observe and on the street. The Daytona does lots 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 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 automotive is all about. The Charger Daytona is happiest in lengthy sweepers moderately than the tight stuff, and it’s very at dwelling entering 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 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 utility. 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 line with Dodge. Prime 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 in a position to do a handful of drag strip runs, and even with my dogshit response time of 0.870 (I acquired 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. 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, 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 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 sooner EVs.
Sadly, for the way good it’s on the drag strip and happening lengthy sweepers on the street, the Charger Daytona begins to collapse on a decent racetrack or actually twisty again street. I didn’t drive the R/T on observe, however I assume its traits could be comparable or most likely a bit worse than the Scat Pack. The Scat Pack’s steering is ok, type of par for the course in the case of heavy EVs, but it surely 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 situation 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 cozy, however even with adjustable bolsters, they didn’t maintain me in notably nicely. 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 quit, you’ve acquired quite a lot 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 truthful, the outdated Charger and Challenger weren’t precisely observe 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 street, each vehicles are unbelievable cruisers. I’m most impressed with the Charger’s suspension. It may not translate completely to the observe, however I discovered each vehicles to have an especially snug journey over even the bumpiest roads Phoenix needed to supply. It’s acquired fairly a twin persona, as the Charger Daytona does normally. You possibly can crank it as much as Sport or Monitor mode and hearken 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 automotive driving expertise. The very fact it has a 121-inch wheelbase most likely aids in its consolation. No, I don’t care for those who 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 lots like muscle vehicles of outdated.
I ought to take a while to speak about one thing I’ve already talked about a few instances: the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Adore it or hate it, this is without doubt one of the centerpieces of Dodge’s new automotive. I’ll be trustworthy, once I first heard it in idea type just a few 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 complete Fratzonic factor, I ought to point out it’s not only a speaker. Principally, it’s an entire 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 have been round within the ‘60s by means of the early Eighties.
It’d sound corny to say, however I swear it does an excellent job of constructing you overlook 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 moderately than a large V8. That isn’t to say it simply feels like an everyday ICE exhaust; it’s completely different. There are quite a lot of noises happening that sound someway each from the previous and future. And what? In case you don’t prefer it there are many different EVs on the market that drive alongside silently. I believe what I take pleasure in most in regards to 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 presupposed 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 identify. How will you not prefer it?
The Charger has extra severe 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 quite a lot of different trendy 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 possibly cost from 5 to 80 p.c 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 quite a lot of time sculpting the brand new Charger Daytona to be as slippery as potential whereas reducing by means of the air to provide the very best vary numbers. What they acquired was a automotive that generated a hell of quite a lot of controversy. Some individuals dig the way in which this automotive seems to be, 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 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, seem like too small. Styling is at all times subjective, although, so your outcomes might range. 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 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 needs 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, in actual fact. 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 moderately huge 16-inch display screen whereas lower-end R/Ts make do with a ten.25-inch display screen, however the greater one is non-compulsory. Regardless, all of this screeny-ness works fairly nicely. Layouts are clear and simple 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 have 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 data 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 quite a lot of shit, but it surely quietly makes among the best 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 possibly can 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 value. Whereas nearly all the pieces is managed by means of 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, but it surely’s an enormous improve over the earlier Charger and Challenger. Supplies selections 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 onerous, low-cost plastic, however at the least it seemed 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 admire that despite the fact that that is Dodge’s most superior automobile 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 nicely is present inside house. This factor is very large from the surface, so at the 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 automotive could have, in line with Dodge. No house is sacrificed up entrance, both. I had loads of room for my 6-foot-1 body. I did have some hassle discovering a cushty 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 range. 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-compulsory) frunk that may take an extra 1.5 cubic toes, which is sweet sufficient on your charging cable, I assume.
Chances are you’ll 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 Package deal, and the one I drove was $70,970 as examined. A bump as much as the Scat Pack will get that worth to $75,185, and for those who add just a few 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 Monitor Package deal and some extra odds and ends, you get an $85,965 as-tested worth. That could be a lot for a Dodge, however you do get quite a lot of efficiency, and you may rely on the very fact the vehicles will qualify for the total $7,500 federal EV tax credit score for those who lease them — for now, at the 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 will count on to see the four-door Charger Daytona in addition to the internal-combustion-powered Charger Sixpack someday in the course of 2025.
The whole 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 acquired it a lot of the approach there. It has all the appropriate sounds, seems to be and efficiency of an actual muscle automotive. My solely situation 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 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 quite a lot of enjoyable. I’m simply not fairly certain if it’s a real article or a really spectacular cosplay.
