Dodge is know as the ultimate muscle car brand. This identity is not going to change in the brand's electric future as revealed by the Charger Daytona SRT Concept.
Quote:
"It drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge and sounds like a Dodge"
-Dodge
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Dodge says the Charger Daytona Concept is a preview of things to come, no need to be worried that the brand's electric cars would be boring.
Dodge chose the name Charger Daytona in honor of its first car that touched 200 mph on a NASCAR track in 1970. While Dodge hasn't revealed technical specifications, the company says its new Banshee electric powertrain will provide
all-wheel-drive and will outperform the Hellcat models in all key measurements.
Three most attractive features on the Charger Daytona Concept is an aerodynamic front wing called as the R-wing, a new "exhaust system" to provide the signature sound called the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, and the eRupt multi-speed transmission.
While most EVs have single-speed transmissions because electric power doesn't need different gear ratios, the Charger Daytona has a multi-speed transmission with electro-mechanical shifting to provide distinct shift points for a more authentic experience.
The "exhaust system" will provide a ICE sound. The system sends its proprietary sound through an amplifier and tuning chamber at the back of the car to push as much as 126 dB, equal to the sound made by a Hellcat. Dodge named the sound profile as "Dark Matter".
Coming to the exterior, its a throwback to the two-door Chargers and features a front wing to retain the classic muscle car stout front end while improving the aerodynamics. The R-Wing leads to a sculpted hood with a central bulge. Carbon-fiber intakes at the lower corners of the front and rear fascia act as air curtains.
The nose also holds an illuminated "Fratzog' badge which Dodge claims now represents brand's electrified future. Slim headlights sit at the edges of the nose and whole front-end features a ringed lighting signature that is reiterated at the rear.
From the sides, the car features very little ornamentation like flush door handles, Banshee fender badges, and Greys of Thunder paint for a graphite look. The car sits on 21-inch diamond-cut wheels and with Fratzog logo center caps.
On the inside, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept has a black cabin like the current Challenger. A red-light rings around the dashboard and the doors. Occupants sit on four well bolstered racing-inspired seats with carbon-fiber backs. Blue and silver accent stitching trims the seats and other elements of the cabin. Carbon-fiber is also present on the floor and the door sills. Also present is a piston-grip shifter like Dodge's muscle cars from the past. The steering wheel is a flat-bottom and also feature paddle shifters.
A button on the steering wheel provides access to Auto, Sport, Track, and Drag driving modes that change the dynamics, instrument cluster information, HUD information, sound and interior lighting.
The dash features a 16.0-inch curved digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen that's angled towards the driver. A 8x3-inch head-up display is also present. The doors and steering wheels have capacitive-touch controls. A panoramic sunroof opens up the otherwise dark cabin.
A production version of the Charger Daytona SRT Concept is due 2024.
The question however is: Would an all-electric Charger Daytona SRT production car be able to tempt the diehard muscle car fans from their V8s?