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Will the Dodge Charger EV Live Up to the Hype?

Will the Dodge Charger EV Live Up to the Hype?

The automaker spent months dropping hints about the new Dodge Charger EV. On March 5, the world finally saw the company’s first all-electric car.

What to Expect From This EV Muscle Car

The concept for the Dodge Charger Daytona, the company’s first electric vehicle, was revealed in August 2022. Since then, the company has dropped hints about the vehicle’s transition from concept to reality.

Introducing the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona

On March 5, Dodge revealed its new production model Charger. The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona will feature an electric powertrain, as will all models going forward with the Daytona name. In 2025, Dodge will also release a version of the Challenger with internal combustion.

The Dodge Charger Daytona is arguably the first real EV muscle car. As such, it will appeal to some drivers more than others. The Charger Daytona prioritizes power over efficiency and range, which is great news for performance car enthusiasts.

Built on the modular STLA Large platform, the Daytona features a 400-volt electrical architecture. The 2024 lineup will only feature a two-door body style, with the four-door version coming in 2025. R/T and Scat Pack trim levels will carry over from the previous generation.

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will feature dual electric motors and standard AWD. This version of the EV muscle car will get up to 496 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque. The Scat Pack will increase those estimates to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft.

The Charger Daytona Gets a Serious Power Boost

The biggest challenge for the Daytona’s designers was convincing Dodge’s loyal fans that an EV muscle car could be worthwhile. The hp boost is an excellent start.

The last generation of internal combustion Chargers got just 370 hp for the R/T and 485 hp for the Scat Pack trim levels. The new Dodge Charger Daytona beats those numbers out the factory door.

To further sweeten the deal and win over die-hard old-school performance car lovers, Dodge also added a feature called Power Shot. Power Shot is an over-boost function that gives the EV Charger an extra 40-hp spurt for 15 seconds.

The Scat Pack model will have fun extras like Drift and Donut drive modes, Race Prep mode, and more.

What to Expect for 2025

The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona already represents an impressive accomplishment as the first real EV muscle car. Not everyone is happy yet, though.

When Dodge revealed the original Daytona SRT Concept, the company hinted it would feature an available two-speed transmission and 800-volt electrical architecture, both of which are absent in the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona.

There’s no need to be upset. After releasing the production version of the new EV Charger, the automaker also confirmed that these features will be available on the soon-to-arrive top-spec Banshee trim.

While the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona has everything the average driver could want in a muscle car, the Banshee will go above and beyond. Though Dodge hasn’t officially confirmed the future Dodge Charger Banshee’s performance estimates, experts believe it should clear 807 hp.

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