Although individuals have been extremely unfavourable on social media, Dodge did quite a bit proper with the creation of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona. Sure, the Hemi engine is gone. Sure, the Charger Daytona is electrical. And, sure, it has simply two doorways. What I’m going to say is that this: I hope I can persuade you to recover from it.
After spending simply sooner or later with the Charger Daytona, I’m a believer.
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona
For me, it begins with the individuals who created this next-gen Charger. (And sure, that’s what Dodge is looking it.) As Ashton Munoz, product supervisor for the Dodge Charger identified, the individuals who made the Vipers, the Challengers, the Chargers, the Hellcats, and the Demons are nonetheless right here–they usually had a hand in creating this car.
“We nonetheless give a sh*t,” he stated. “We love this automobile and this model.”
And since they provide a sh*t, earlier than they started to conceptualize and construct this car, Dodge CEO Matt McAlear stated that they began with a sequence of “what ifs?” What if we began with a Widebody Redeye (the last word expression of the previous-generation Challenger lineup), improved the 0-to-60-mph time, added normal all-wheel drive, carried out new tech and normal security and did all of it for $10,000 much less?
And, what if it simply occurred to be an EV?
With the Scat Pack model of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, Dodge managed to verify most of these packing containers. Normal AWD? Examine. Uconnect 5 with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Examine. An ordinary 12.3-inch infotainment display screen? Examine. Normal security tools? Examine. After which you’ve gotten verify, verify, verify on the subject of the ability and pricing. It has a 0-to-60-mph time of three.3 seconds (which is 0.3 seconds sooner than the Redeye), delivers base horsepower of 630 (which is 130 horsepower greater than the bottom Redeye) and accessible horsepower of 670 (simply 37 horsepower lower than the height horsepower of the Redeye). And that price ticket? Nicely, the bottom value of the 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye was $94,965. The 2024 Challenger Scat Pack begins at $20k lower than that.
Aside from the what ifs?, McAlear stated the Charger Daytona needed to appear to be a Dodge, really feel like a Dodge, sound like a Dodge and drive like a Dodge. So, let’s break all that down.
Impressed by the 1968 Dodge Charger
A few of the feedback I’ve seen on social in regards to the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona say it isn’t an actual Charger as a result of it has two doorways, and that it doesn’t appear to be a Dodge. Nicely, I say these individuals want a bit of extra institutional data. Google the first-generation Dodge Charger if you happen to don’t consider me. That’s 1966 in case you want a yr. It was a two-door with a fastback roofline. So. If you wish to get indignant with a Dodge Charger for design, be mad on the outgoing mannequin. Not this one.
The second-generation, beginning in 1968, was additionally a two-door fastback but it surely had some smoother strains, and Scott Krugger, vice chairman for Dodge exterior design, stated it’s this mannequin that was the design inspiration for the Charger Daytona. I see this quite a bit within the profile. I even see it within the nostril with the headlights that disappear underneath the lip. The bumped up hoodline is harking back to the hood scoop on the traditional Hemi fashions.
Ryan Nagode, vice chairman and head of inside design for Stellantis North American manufacturers, stated the 1968 inspiration carries by to the inside with the blocky horizontal design of the sprint. Positive, it has all the trendy accoutrements, however you see the similarities with the slimmed up, driver-focused instrument panels.
The general impact with the LED exterior lights and inside digital shows is a modernized throwback to the early Dodge Charger days. And if you happen to’re actually pining for a four-door mannequin, it’ll be right here in 2025, so gradual your roll.
Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust
Maybe essentially the most controversial a part of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona must be the faux exhaust. As an explainer for what this method is, Dodge says: “The patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system on Dodge Charger Daytona fashions contains twin bespoke, high-efficiency extreme-bandwidth transducers coupled with twin Fratzonic Chamber-loaded passive radiators, all housed in a customized enclosure and powered by a devoted amplifier with as much as 600 watts of energy.”
That’s geek communicate for a very loud exhaust sound that’s not solely piped into the cabin but in addition expelled by way of exterior audio system on the rear, precisely the place you’d anticipate to listen to an exhaust noise. However the Fratzonic exhaust is extra than simply noise. It’s really feel. If you energy up the car, you’re feeling the vibration within the seat of your pants, your foot on the brake pedal, your fingers on the steering wheel. The car virtually feels alive.
It’s what offers the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona a soul. The sound mimics a V8 Hemi engine, and sure, if you happen to hear intently, you possibly can hear the digital pitch. And the startup does sound a bit like a spaceship lifting off. However general, Dodge did a darn good job, and an untrained ear most likely wouldn’t be capable of inform the distinction when the car is driving down the highway.
The tone of the Fratzonic exhaust modifications relying on the drive mode chosen. In Auto mode, it’s only a low hum, but it surely will get louder and deeper as you progress from Sport to Monitor to Drag mode. If the thought of pretend exhaust noise insults your sensibilities, simply flip it off already. The inside immediately turns into eerily silent, and the outside exhaust shuts off as properly. You’ll nonetheless have the Acoustic Automobile Alerting System (AVAS) sounds mandated by the federal government, which sound like a high-pitched hum, however that’s it.
However how does it drive?
Quick. It drives quick. We had the chance to drive the 496-horsepower R/T, and I used to be impressed with how rapidly and easily it reached 80 mph–virtually accidentally. I’d merge on the freeway, and bam, 85 mph virtually instantaneously. The 670-horsepower Scat Pack was the identical, however extra. I’d get to freeway pace and be cruising alongside, and the following factor I knew I used to be going 90 mph. In that respect, the faux exhaust is useful. It’s an audible reminder that you simply’re accelerating, and it’d assist stop some rushing tickets.
Depart the freeway and hit the twisty bits, and the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona does very well. For a hefty 5,689-to-5,767-pound car, it feels gentle on its ft. And due to the battery’s location underneath the automobile, this EV Charger is healthier balanced than the out-going fuel mannequin. I requested one of many professional drivers on the Radford Racing Faculty if he may inform a distinction, and he stated positively. And he pointed to the brand new Charger Daytona as being extra well-mannered on a observe.
Talking of the observe, we did get to spend a while pushing the Scat Pack by its paces. We did a pair loops on the observe, did some drag racing, and tried our hand at drifting. I feel I did extra donuts than drifts, however in all I used to be surprised by how a lot it felt like a standard gasoline-powered car. I’d problem a daily driver: If you happen to didn’t understand it was an EV, you may not understand it was an EV.
However it’s an EV, let’s speak vary
You would possibly suppose that as a high-powered muscle automobile, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona would have restricted vary. However I don’t suppose it’s that unhealthy – particularly not within the base R/T trim. For a car that delivers practically 500-horsepower, it’s spectacular that the highest vary is 308 miles. The Scat Pack, clearly, is decrease, but it surely’s nonetheless respectable at 241 miles.
One of many snarky feedback I obtained on social media stated you’d most likely burn the complete battery vary with a single burnout, and I can attest to the truth that’s not true. The professional drivers at Radford did a drifting demonstration, they usually burned by the tires sooner than the vary. The demonstration most likely lasted 10 minutes, and every drivers needed to swap vehicles not less than as soon as on account of burning rubber, actually, off the tires. Now, driving like a pace demon isn’t going to do your vary any favors, however that’s true with any EV.
In an effort to “re-fuel” your Daytona Charger, know that peak cost charge with a 350 kW DC quick cost is 183 kW, and also you’ll go from a 5-percent state-of-charge to 80% p.c in about 33 minutes.
Energy is costly
If you speak about pricing on the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, you would possibly do a little bit of a double take. Base value for the R/T is $61,590 (together with the $1,995 vacation spot), and the Scat Pack begins at $75,185. The automobiles we had been driving all included about $10,000 in choices, so that you’ll seemingly not stroll out the door for lower than $70,000. Choice packages (with stuff you’re going to need) embrace:
- Plus Group: ($4,995): Consists of artificial leather-based seats with air flow (R/T) or leather-based seats with air flow (Scat Pack); 16-inch driver show (R/T, normal on Scat Pack), energy hatch, ambient lighting, head-up show (R/T, normal on Scat Pack), 360-degree digital camera, wi-fi charging, premium LED headlights, Dodge emblem puddle lamp.
- Blacktop: (R/T) ($1,095): Consists of darkish exterior badges, 20-inch darkish aluminum wheels with Nexen-brand tires, or 20-inch darkish aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season tires, and Plus Group.
- Solar & Sound: ($2,495): Consists of glass roof and 18-speaker Alpine PRO audio system.
- Carbon & Suede: (Scat Pack) ($2,995): leather-based/suede high-back efficiency seats, door panel with carbon-fiber insert, instrument panel with carbon fiber and suede, suede headliner and A-pillars, carbon-fiber exterior mirrors, darkish exterior badging, 20-inch darkish aluminum wheels.
The Sixpack commeth (ICE alert)
The Dodge Charger Daytona is meant to be the highest finish of the Charger spectrum, identical to the Hellcat was on the outgoing mannequin. Base variations of the Charger will truly be gasoline fashions outfitted with the maker’s 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder “Hurricane” engine. The Excessive Output (H.O.) Hurrican variant will ship 550 horsepower, with the usual engine producing 420 horsepower.
The H.O. will solely be accessible on2-door Chargers, and the usual mill solely on 4-door fashions.
Each of those automobiles will likely be accessible in late 2025.
Two issues I didn’t like
There have been actually simply two issues I didn’t like in regards to the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona–and neither of them needed to do with vary or value. Nope, they had been two silly easy issues that Dodge wants to repair.
First is the shoulder belt. Regardless of how I adjusted the seat, the belt lower into my neck. Due to how the seats are designed, there isn’t a method to alter the belt peak. So, it’s what it’s. Until the design of the seat modifications.
The opposite large factor that should change? There needs to be rear-seat releases within the trunk that enable the seats to fold flat with out somebody climbing into the again seat to hit the latch on the seats themselves. Within the sedan model, this received’t be an enormous deal, however within the coupe, it’s a really enormous deal for taller or greater drivers. They’ve to maneuver the driving force’s seat and squeeze themselves within the again as a way to launch the seats to get a flat load flooring. What’s the purpose of getting a hidden hatch design if it’s tough to fold the seats flat and also you by no means use the cargo house?
Our take
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona is a good car. Full cease. It has muscle automobile design with its widebody stance in addition to muscle automobile DNA with its efficiency and energy. If petrol heads will give it an opportunity and get behind the wheel, I feel there’s a very good likelihood they’ll be received over like I used to be.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Footage
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