After a very long commercial life, Dodge announced a few days ago that its current muscle cars, the Charger sedan (2011) and the Challenger coupe (2008), will say goodbye in style in 2023. With the cessation of its production, the American firm will close an important chapter in its history… but it is already preparing for the next one.
During Dodge Speed Week, the company unveiled a prototype of what will be the North American industry’s first electric muscle car: the Charger Daytona SRT Concept. Unlike the current Charger, which is available only as a four-door sedan, this concept vehicle reprises the coupe bodywork of the early Chargers (1966-1974) but adds a practical tailgate.
Aesthetically, we are facing a true American muscle car. The wide, low body, elongated hood, and muscular sideline quickly take us back to the late ’60s, while the blacked-out headlamps are a nod to the retractable headlamps of its predecessors, giving it an aggressive look. and threatening. The wheels for their part are 21 inches.
Despite its classic looks, Dodge has tried to create a truly aerodynamic sports car. One of the key solutions to achieve this is the so-called R-Wing: although the front end has the typical boxy look of a muscle car, the radiator grille redirects the airflow towards the bonnet, thereby improving downforce.
The electric Dodge Charger will launch in 2024
The cabin, like the exterior design, is surprisingly close to a production model. It has a 16-inch curved digital instrumentation, a 12.3-inch central screen in landscape format, and a Head-up Display. The red ambient lighting and the four individual seats should also be highlighted.
Although its technical specifications have not been revealed, it has been confirmed that it will have a Banshee propulsion system that should allow it to exceed the performance of the current thermal SRT Hellcat. It has an electrical architecture of 800 volts and an all-wheel drive, so we can expect it to mount more than one electric motor.
Dodge has developed some features, especially for those who love old-fashioned cars. This is the case of the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, an exhaust simulator capable of reaching 126 dB; the eRupt system, a multi-speed electromechanical transmission that seeks to recreate the typical “jerk” of gearboxes; and the PowerShot function, which momentarily increases performance to improve acceleration. It will have four driving modes: Auto, Sport, Track, and Drag.
The electric Dodge Charger is expected to hit the US market in 2024. Initially, it will be based on the Stellantis group’s STLA Large modular platform, the same one used by other group brands (Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati…) in their models. large. The brand insists on its philosophy: “it drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge, and feels like a Dodge”.
