Dodge becomes one of the first US manufacturers to transform its muscle car offering to electricity
- Diving into the tech of the Charger Daytona concept
- What will the concept compete against and when will it go into production?
Dodge has today pulled the covers off the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT electric muscle car, beating the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro at envisioning the future of American-built muscle cars.
The US-based automaker has said that the new electric muscle car will feature three “patent-pending” features, including a pass-through aerodynamic feature for the front end, a ‘Fratzonic chambered exhaust’ and ‘E-rupt’ – a multi-speed transmission designed for electric motors.
The new Dodge muscle car concept is powered by an 800-volt ‘Banshee’ electric propulsion system which, according to Dodge, makes the new electric coupe “faster than a Hellcat in all key performance measures”.
The Dodge Charger Daytona electric concept
However, no other technical specification or performance data has been released to qualify such claims.
The sports coupe was announced as part of Dodge’s Speed Week and is part of the brand’s ‘Never Lift’ campaign, sending the clear message that the future of Dodge performance products will not be subtle.
Diving into the tech of the Charger Daytona concept
Inside the Dodge Charger Daytona
The first key feature of the new Dodge electric muscle car is the use of a front aerodynamic wing that integrates seamlessly with the front integrated LED light strip and channels air across the bonnet and over the car – enhancing downforce according to Dodge.
Next up is the oddly-named Fratzonic chambered exhaust that Dodge claims can ‘roar’ up to 126dB – well over the legal limit allowed here in Australia. Dodge states that the electric ‘exhaust’ noise of the new Dodge Charger Daytona EV concept is louder than its combustion-engined, supercharged petrol ancestors.
The electric exhaust sound is said to work by using a rear-mounted amplifier and tuning chamber to create a “visceral, bone-shaking sound” experience.
The wheels for the new concept are a pretty wild design!
Finally, the new E-Rupt transmission is brand-new technology that provides manual-like upshift points, “throwing shoulders into seatbacks in true Dodge style”.
This will be interesting to learn about as time goes on, as many will know that electric vehicles have not required the type of multi-gear transmissions favoured by road-going internal-combustion applications.
What will the concept compete against and when will it go into production?
Air flows through the front groove for extra downforce
The new Dodge Charger Daytona EV coupe will be its own thing for a while, as the likes of Ford and Chevrolet work towards their own electric performance muscle cars.
While Ford is currently marketing its Mustang Mach E as a performance coupe SUV, an electrified version of its iconic pony car format is yet to surface.
While it’s forecast an electrified Mustang will find production in its soon-to-be-unveiled next generation, all has been quiet thus far on the Chevrolet Camaro front.
There is plenty of ambient lighting inside the concept
However, Chevrolet is working on an e-ray version of the mid-engined Corvette supercar, along with a seriously potent Z06 variant that could take on the latest creations from Maranello and Stuttgart.
Dodge has not revealed just yet the production plans for the Charger Daytona EV concept, however if it gains enough interest, we could see the car on US roads within a few years.
Most automakers globally are beginning to bring EVs to market, while manufacturers such as Porsche have already proven that electric sports cars such as the Taycan are just as popular as their core combustion range, such as the 911.
We look forward to seeing if something like the new electric Dodge muscle car will come to Australia.
Keyword: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept previews an electric muscle car for the future