Is Dodge’s New Charger a Real Muscle Car or Another Electric Nonsense?

Is Dodge’s New Charger a Real Muscle Car or Another Electric Nonsense?


We’ve known about the world’s first electric muscle car for several years, and official confirmation came when Dodge unveiled the Daytona SRT Charger Concept in 2022. Fast forward to this week, and it’s the hot topic on the lips of petrol heads of every generation.

It’s hard to believe that we now have an electric muscle car from Dodge. Well, a muscle car in theory and form, however, as this class was close to V8 firepower wrapped in a chunky-looking package that could eat up straight roads and corner properly. But here we are, faced with such a machine that puts one foot in the moment and still delivers ICE alternative and one in the future to be dropped EV way.

Zero emissions are official for the Dodge Charger Daytona, which has 496 horsepower (503 ps/370 kW) in top form when it comes to the R/T with 670 hp (680 ps/500 kW) you should choose the Scat Pack. The Student leads the family and is estimated to reach 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.3 seconds and run the 1/4 mile in 11.5 seconds.

These models have zero tailpipe emissions and are powered by a 400-volt system. Dodge says 800-volt models will join them further down the line. If ICE-powered variants are on your shopping list, you’ll have to wait until early next year to get your hands on the Sixpack HO and Sixpack SO, featuring a 3.0L twin-turbo Hurricane engine that makes 550 and 420 hp (558). -426 ps/410-313 kW), respectively. That’s when the four-door Charger will be launched.

Photo: Dodge

Tipping the scales at over 4,000 pounds (1,800+ kg) depending on the spec, the old Dodge Challenger wasn’t exactly a featherweight. However, it looks one compared to the new Charger Daytona, which weighs over 5,800 pounds (2,630+ kg). It’s also longer, measuring 206.6 inches (5,248 mm) from bumper to bumper, which makes it as long as the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Width and length are 79.8 and 58.9 inches (2,027-1,496 mm), respectively, and it has 121 inches (3,073 mm) between the axles.

Dodge has managed to keep the same overall height in the four-door Charger, too, which has the same wheelbase. Heck, even the roof measures the same as it does on its coupe counterpart, with the only major differences being the number of doors it has and the shape and size of the windows. Therefore, both should act the same regardless of whether we are talking about straight line racing or frequent racing, and from the looks of it, we are waiting a long time to know if it is good and. They really do justice to this moniker.

From a design perspective, the all-new Dodge Daytona Charger takes a cue from the original Charger. It has a new look that seems to come into the 21st century straight from the 1970s, a muscular hood design, a square front bumper, fat shoulders, a clean profile and a roof line that is set back towards the rear, and a beautiful signature of lights . which takes up a good portion of the trunk lid and protrudes into the rear quarter panels. In fact, the only things that could look better are the rear three-quarter design and the shape of the rear windshield.

Photo: Dodge

Its platform should be a clear indicator of what to expect in terms of driving dynamics. However, this is the first production model to use Large STLA. The Jeep Wagoneer S, Recon, Chrysler Airflow, and the upcoming Maserati Levante and Quattroporte, expected in 2027 and 2028, respectively, will also use this construction that supports EV and ICE engines, as we’ve already mentioned. Other models will use this architecture in the next few years, so the test-by-fire role goes to the new Charger Daytona – a surprising move from Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company, however.

From a design perspective, we’re tempted to say this is a real muscle car. However, it’s completely different from what we’re used to, and even with fake engine noise and dizzying straight-line sprints aided by the instant boost of electric motors, it’s an eyebrow-raiser and will remain one until proven otherwise. You can bet everything on General Motors and Ford taking a close look at the best approach to their next muscle cars, so it could go down in history as a big win or a big flop.

Kudos to Dodge for daring to be different, but then again, they’ve already proven they can make amazing muscle cars (ahem, the Demon 170) that can bring straight line battles to the hypercar scene. Have your eyes set on the new Daytona Charger? If so, what has convinced you to go after it, and if not, could a powerful V8 muscle model take its place in your garage? And more importantly, do you see it as a real muscle car or another EV nonsense aimed at the likes of Tesla models?