BBC Top Gear Magazine

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE... DODGE CHARGER

The US muscle car icon is back... and this time it’s electric. Eh?

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1 FOUR VERSIONS HAVE BEEN REVEALED

Two electric, two with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straightsi­x. In range topping electric Daytona Scat Pack trim, the Charger packs a whopping 670bhp and 627lb ft of torque. The second electric Charger, which wears an R/T badge, tops out at 496bhp and 404lb ft. Of the latter ICE cars, we know only that they’ll produce 420bhp and 550bhp. Healthy enough.

2 IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE POWER THOUGH

The new e-Chargers are the first to use Stellantis’ STLA Large platform. Both Charger Daytonas feature AWD as standard, using a pair of 335bhp electric drive modules. The front drive module is able to disconnect itself to boost range and efficiency, while the rear module includes a mechanical limited-slip diff for better hoo-raas off the line.

3 THERE’S A FAT BATTERY PACK ONBOARD

Specifical­ly, a 100.5kWh unit able to offer a peak discharge rate of 738bhp. Dodge is quoting 317 miles of EPA range for the R/T and 260 for the Scat Pack. On a 350kW ultra rapid charger charger, both cars will be able to go from 20–80 per cent in 27 minutes. Keep running those quarter mile times and this will become an important metric.

4 IT’LL BE LOUD (SO WE’RE TOLD)

Dodge promises us this new e-Charger will be able to speak with a full and sonorous voice. A pair of passive radiators apparently create a unique exhaust profile with “Hellcat levels of sound intensity that shatters the preconcept­ion of a typical quiet BEV and instead delivers a sound worthy of the Brotherhoo­d of Muscle”.

5 THE MUSCLE CAR SPIRIT IS ALL THERE

Dodge has mined the spirit of its earlier muscle cars when it comes to the exterior design, saying only it “avoids excess” and takes its cues “from the clean, timeless lines of its predecesso­rs”, while inside the ‘linework’ and ‘texture’ both hark back to the ’68 Charger’s instrument panel. The tech, however, including a 12.3in central touchscree­n, is all 2024.

 ?? ?? Clean, timeless lines, many horsepower and the world’s most controvers­ial soundtrack?
Clean, timeless lines, many horsepower and the world’s most controvers­ial soundtrack?
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