The Dodge Challenger and Charger will move out of the way to make room for the Dodge EV. As the brand transitions to EVs by the end of next year, the gas-powered Dodge Challenger and Charger will be discontinued, marking the end of an era.
The new car on the block will be called the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept – which sounds almost like an ode to its predecessors and features new technologies but will drive, look, and feel like a Dodge. The company mentioned that it will retain all the characteristics of a classic Dodge, the only difference being that this is going to be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV).
The Dodge Challenger and Charger
Both cars have been in the market for over a decade and have been popular across generations. First made popular in the 1960s and 1970s, the cars were given a new lease of life when they were resurrected in the mid-2000s and introduced to a whole new generation.
Its retro-inspired styling and classic good looks evoke nostalgia about the glory years, making it one of the most profitable ventures for Dodge. Despite fierce competition from sedans and SUVs, the Dodge Challenger and Charger that were priced between low-$30,000s to nearly $90,000 for the Hellcat models, drove up the company’s fortunes.
In 2023, every Dodge Challenger and Charger will carry a “Last Call” placard under the hood signifying its final year of production. The cars are produced at Stellantis’ Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada.
The Dodge Daytona SRT Concept
During a media briefing, CEO Tim Kuniskis said of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept, “This car, we believe, will redefine American muscle.” For years, Kuniskis has warned that gas-powered vehicles will be driven off the road as governments step up regulations on emissions.
The brand-new EV will be powered by the 800V Banshee propulsion system and have illuminated Fratzog badges on the front grille and tail lamp.
The Dodge EV promises performance exceeding the SRT Hellcat engine and has PowerShot, a push-button horsepower booster. The concept car looks futuristic but manages to retain its muscular legacy. The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept car also manages to give a nod to the historic Daytona name – as it was the first vehicle to break the 200mph barrier on a NASCAR track in 1970.
According to the company, its three “game-changing, patent-pending features” are the “R-Wing” wherein the front wing attains exceptional aerodynamic functionalities, while the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” delivers a performance sound that rivals the Hellcat and is a first for an electric vehicle. The third feature is the “eRupt” which is credited with giving a multi-speed transmission with an electro-mechanical shifting experience that redefines the Dodge EV.
The Dodge EV’s interior will be lightweight and modern that is inspired by the 1968 Charger grille detail. The center console includes “a unique jet-fighter-inspired cap that flips up to allow engagement of the start button and a pistol-grip shifter design.” With a panoramic glass roof, the concept car will give occupants an open-air experience like no other in the lap of luxury.
The electric vehicle has buttons to change drive modes to Auto, Sport, Track, and Drag and with a “carbon fiber tub floor” it should be ready for all kinds of driving. The change in modes also results in a change in driving dynamics, interior lighting, and display graphics. Its interior is designed for comfort as rear seats fold flat to make use of the rear hatch and it also has a 12.3-inch touchscreen that is angled 10 degrees towards the driver.
The pricing and charging range for the Dodge EV is currently unavailable and the company did not make any statement on either.
