Stellantis unveiled two new all-electric models of the Dodge Charger on Tuesday, complete with features that cater to muscle car enthusiasts, including a system designed to replicate the sound of a Hemi V-8 engine.
Two new Dodge Charger EV coupes, the 2024 Charger Daytona Scat Pack and the Daytona R/T trim, are set to begin production in mid-2024. Manufacturing of four-door versions will commence in the first quarter of 2025. The automaker did not provide pricing information for any of the vehicles.
These next-generation Dodge Charger coupes are part of parent company Stellantis’ strategic plan to reduce its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2038. The plan outlines ambitious financial goals, such as doubling net revenues to $335 billion annually by 2030 and sustaining double-digit profit margins.
The Dodge Charger, along with other electric vehicles in the Stellantis portfolio like the Fiat 500e and the upcoming Ram Ramcharger and Ram 1500 Revolution EV, are all crucial components in the automaker’s strategic plan.
Dodge, possibly looking to satisfy its loyal customers, is not completely giving up on gas-powered muscle cars. The company announced that the upcoming Charger will also come with internal combustion engines. These won’t be running on a Hemi V-8 engine, though. The automaker is now utilizing a more efficient and cleaner-burning 3-liter twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six engine that Dodge brand chief executive officer Tim Kuniskis claims provides more power and torque compared to the previous 5.7 and 6.4-liter Hemi engines.
Production of gas-powered two-door and four-door Dodge Charger vehicles is set to commence in the first quarter of 2025. All models, including the electric versions, will be manufactured at the company’s Windsor, Canada, plant.
The launch of the 2024 Dodge Charger arrives during a challenging period for U.S. and European automakers as they strive to adapt to the evolving EV market, with Chinese manufacturers making significant advancements. Despite the growth in EV market share, automakers have recently halted or reduced factory expansions for EV production or battery manufacturing due to weakening demand, especially for more expensive luxury EVs.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares informed Eltrys in a recent interview that the automaker is not emulating its competitors and is fully committed to EVs.
“I’m maintaining a high level of efficiency.” We are fully committed to electric vehicles for various reasons,” Tavares stated, emphasizing that the company is also continuing to support gas-powered vehicles. Tavares is taking steps to ensure the company is prepared for potential outcomes in upcoming political races in Europe and the United States. These races involve candidates who have expressed intentions to reverse environmental regulations and incentives.
“Thanks to the 2030 strategic plan, I can confidently predict the outcome of these elections,” he remarked. “I will wait until the end of ’24 to decide whether to expand capacity, invest in it, or not invest. Either an acceleration in a dogmatic scenario or a slowdown in a populist scenario will affect this decision. That’s the reason we maintain a consistent approach.
Basic components of electric vehicles
In 2024, the Charger Daytona Scat Pack and Daytona R/T trim will be equipped with all-wheel drive and a 100.5 kilowatt-hour battery pack as standard. At this point, the customer must decide between prioritizing speed and torque or range.
The 2024 Charger Daytona Scat Pack is projected to offer 670 horsepower, achieve 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds, complete a quarter-mile in around 11.5 seconds, and hit a maximum speed of 134 mph. The power and acceleration of the Scat Pack come with a trade-off; its estimated range is 260 miles.
On the other hand, the Daytona R/T model will generate 496 horsepower and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, offering an extended estimated range of 317 miles.
Both EVs have a Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, which is a brand name for a system that transmits sound through an amplifier and tuning chamber to replicate the recognizable growl of a Hemi V-8 engine.
When engaging in drifting, donuts, track, and drag driving modes, the two trims take different paths. The driving modes in the Scat Pack trim deliver on their promise. One mode is optimized for smooth, dry surfaces to enhance vehicle performance, while the other is specifically tailored for dragstrips to improve launch and straight-line acceleration. Enabling donut and drift modes on the vehicle allows drivers to choose from three levels of slip angle. This setting enables the rear wheels to spin and the vehicle to rotate around either of the front wheels without interference from the traction control system, resulting in the perfect donut.
