Electric Charger unveiled
No one is likely to mistake the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona for a melted jelly bean.
That’s by design, according to the folks at Dodge, dismissing the description of many current electric vehicle offerings in the market already.
No, the new electric muscle car from the Stellantis brand that lives on its high-horsepower reputation looks the part that it’s supposed to play – sleek, assertive and ready to hit the track.
Dodge will roll out two versions of its first battery-electric vehicle models later this year, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T promising up to 496 horsepower and a Daytona Scat Pack at up to 670 hp (pushing a “Power Shot” button on the steering wheel delivers 40 of the promised hp for 15 seconds as an added boost).
These two-door coupe models, which seat five, will make room for four-door electric versions as well as gas-powered two- and four-door variants, equipped with a new Hurricane inline-six engine, in 2025. A high-performance Banshee EV version is also on the horizon, but we’re told not to expect a plug-in hybrid or range extender any time soon.
The new Charger is one of eight battery-electric vehicles Stellantis, which also owns Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Fiat, plans to introduce in the United States this year.
Safety and other features, along with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, will sound fairly familiar, but cargo space marks a significant departure for anyone who has driven the current crop of Dodge cars. The rear seats can fold flat, offering 133% more cargo volume (38.5 cubic feet) than the outgoing Charger. There’s no word yet on pricing.