2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Enters The Electric Era With Up To 670 HP, 0-60 mph In 3.3 seconds

Summary

• Dodge Charger EV retains muscle car essence with V8-like exhaust and muscle car experience.
• Electric Charger model debuts as a coupe or sedan, first as an EV, and later with ICE technology.
• Initial Charger EV lineup offers R/T, Scat Pack, and Scat Pack with Track Package trims with additional powerful models to come.

It’s been almost 20 years since the last-generation Dodge Charger was launched into the world, reigniting a classic name in the process. The car gave new life to the American muscle car with different iterations of the HEMI V8, some of which exceeded the 700-horsepower mark. The Dodge Charger also became a symbol of North American law enforcement, as police interceptors across the U.S. and Canada proudly wore the Charger name. In many ways, the Dodge Charger has replaced the Ford Crown Victoria as the quintessential American V-8 sedan.

Of course, all good things do come to an end, and although we all knew the end was near for this bad-boy of a sedan – along with its Challenger two-door coupe brother – we all collectively didn’t believe it would actually happen. Year after year, as Dodge released updated versions with ever more output, we (the automotive press) laughed at how antiquated its 1990s-derived Mercedes-Benz LX platform was, but continued to drool over its unquestionably cool demeanor.

And then, Dodge announced the end of the production run for its America-bred twins. At around the same time, it was also announced that the Charger would live on, but in electric form. A concept was released; the sexy Charger SRT Daytona EV, complete with an advanced speaker system that would mimic the sound of an exhaust, as well as onboard vibrations to replicate the feel of a thumping V-8.

Impressed, the entire world nevertheless scratched its head about whether a Dodge performance product could in fact transition into the electric era without losing its soul and personality. Well folks, the time has come. Here it is, in production form: the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona electric sports coupe.

Electric First, ICE Later, Coupe Or Sedan, Choose Your Poison

The biggest news about the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona isn’t the fact that it’ll first be available as a fully electric vehicle (EV). We already knew that. But rather, contrary to the concept that gave the impression that the Charger would be sold solely as a coupe, we’re finding out that it’s also available as a sedan. Dodge, therefore, clumps up two models into one with this new Charger, eliminating any hopes of a new Challenger.

At launch, the Charger Daytona will be available exclusively as an EV, while a gasoline Hurricane-powered Charger Daytona will make its way to the lineup later with up to 550 horsepower, but as a 2025 model.

In order to support both EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, the new Charger rides on an all-new, “multi-energy” architecture dubbed internally at Stellantis as the STLA Large platform. According to Dodge CEO Ted Kuniskis, the most efficient EV would, of course, have been based on a skateboard architecture. But he states that the Dodge Charger Daytona wasn’t engineered to be efficient. It was engineered to be fast and fun to drive. That’s an odd statement in a world where bad efficiency inherently leads to bad EVs.

Powering all 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EVs is a massive 100.5-kWh nominal (93.9-kWh usable), liquid-cooled, lithium-ion Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminium (NCA) battery. In all cases, it powers two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors; one installed on each axle. So all-electric Dodge Charger Daytonas will come standard with dual-motor all-wheel drive. Power and torque outputs vary depending on the selected trim level. What’s interesting here is that Dodge installed a mechanical limited-slip differential on each motor to make this EV feel more organic.

All cars come with an 11-kW onboard charger for level 2 home charging. Dodge claims that a 20 to 80% home charge takes about seven hours on a compatible charger. Fast charging on a level 3 unit peaks at 183 kW, or about 28 minutes from 20 to 80% charge.

R/T, Scat Pack And Scat Pack With Track Package

The first 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EVs will be available in three trim levels; R/T, Scat Pack, and Scat Pack with Track Package. Each model changes horsepower and torque outputs, as well as range.

For instance, the R/T comes out of the box with 340 kW of combined output, or the equivalent of 456 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. It’s good for a 0-60 MPH time of 4.7 seconds, as per Dodge, and a 13.1-MPH quarter mile time. This will be the long-range model, with an EPA-estimated range figure of 317 miles.

Next up is the Scat Pack. It’s good for a much more substantial 470 kW of combined output, or the equivalent of 630 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to hit 60 MPH from a standstill in 3.3 seconds, says Dodge. The quarter-mile time for this one is rated at 11.5 seconds. Range, however, drops to 260 miles.

Both R/T and Scat Pack models come standard with Dodge’s Power Shot feature, which adds 40 extra horsepower for 15 seconds, upping the output to 496 horsepower for the R/T and 670 for the Scat Pack. The Track Package is mostly a handling and stopping package thanks to upgraded adjustable dampers with higher spring rates (84 N/mm versus 78 front, 145 N/mm versus 140 rear), and larger disc brakes at all four corners.

All 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack models also come standard with advanced track options, like Donut Mode, Drift Mode, Line Lock, and Launch Control. And yes, for those wondering, the Fratzonic digital exhaust system will make its way into all models, mimicking, according to Dodge, the firing order of a Hemi V-8.

More Powerful Versions Are Coming

Throughout the online presentation, Ted Kuniskis made sure to specify that this is only the beginning of the Dodge Charger’s renaissance into the electric era, stating that more powerful versions are indeed coming. He allured to the Banshee name without giving specifics, but rumors speak of close to 900 horsepower. Kuniskis underlined the fact that the cars we’re seeing here are “only” R/T and Scat Pack models, kicking off where the old Scat Pack and Hellcat models left off in terms of straight-line acceleration.

Dodge hasn’t yet released pricing for the 2024 Charger Daytona. We also have no definite date as to when the Hurricane-powered versions will be added to the lineup. No talks, neither, about the possibility of a police interceptor model for the sedan. All of this will undoubtedly be announced later down the line. As for us at Topspeed.com, we’re eager to give this new electric Charger a good run for its money to see if it does, indeed, honor Dodge’s brotherhood of muscle.