2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Details Revealed: Electric + Turbo-6 Models Confirmed

The last V8-engine Chargers and Challengers rolled off the line earlier this year. But the new Dodge Charger Daytona will arrive very soon – first as an EV later in 2024, then with an internal combustion engine in 2025. Gone are the separate Charger and Challenger nameplates, replaced with a single badge for both 2-door and 4-door versions. Notably, the Charger Daytona has a hatchback instead of a trunk so that they might get 3-door and 5-door designations. Also, for the first time, every Dodge muscle car in production will have an all-wheel drivetrain.

The first models to roll off the line will be the electric Charger Daytona R/T, followed by the Scat Pack, which will also be available with a Track Pack option. The R/T has a peak output of 456 horsepower and 404 lb-ft. of torque, while the Scat Pack produces 630 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. They also have a special Power Shot mode, which momentarily boosts output to 469 horsepower and 670 horsepower, respectively. 18-inch wheels come standard on the R/T, while 20-inch wheels are the norm with the Scat Pack with the option for staggered Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 305 front and 325 rear tires. The R/T gets 13.9-inch front brake rotors, while the Scat Pack has 14.9″ units, and the Track Pack bumps that up to a massive 16.1-inch.

Measuring 206.6 inches long and up to 84.3 inches wide, these cars are significantly larger than their predecessors. Despite weighing a hefty 5838 pounds, the Charger Daytona R/T will book it down the road from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and the Scat Pack will do the same in 3.3 seconds. On the drag strip, expect a 1/4-mile time of 13.1 for the R/T and 11.5 for the Scat Pack. One thing you won’t see with these Chargers is the top speeds of the old gas-powered models. The R/T is rated at 137 mph, and the Scat Pack actually has a lower number of 134 mph. You’ll have to wait for the turbo-6 model if you want to go any faster. Speaking of which, that model will get a 3.0 liter Hurricane inline-6, producing 420 horsepower in the Charger SIXPACK S.O. (Standard Output) and 550 horsepower in the Charger SIXPACK H.O. (High Output). Dodge also plans an ultra high-performance Charger Daytona SRT model that rocks an 800-volt Banshee propulsion system.

The EV models have dual 250 kW motors and a 100.5 kWh battery pack with 93.9 kWh of usable energy. Dodge says the Charger Daytona will work with DC CCS fast chargers up to 350 kW at a peak rate of 183 kW. In ideal conditions, it’ll go from a 20% to 80% charge in 27.6 minutes. On an 11 kW Level 2 home charger, it’ll take a little over five hours to go from 20% to 80%. Thanks to their relatively large battery packs, the driving range is good, with the more powerful R/T going 317 miles on a full charge and the Scat Pack driving 260 miles. These EV models should be much better balanced than past Chargers and Challengers, thanks to a low center of gravity, a shorter front overhang, and no heavy engine up front.

Both electric models ride on the new STLA Large platform, which will support a variety of vehicles and powertrain configurations. While the shape of these cars carries the torch for the Charger and Challenger, they’re more modern. Up front, there’s a full-width LED running light with the triangular Dodge “Fratzog” logo at its center. The hood is quite distinctive, with an aerodynamic “R-Wing” that helps guide airflow over the hood and increases front downforce. The suspension system is designed for performance with a multi-link front and integral link rear setup. As you progress from R/T to Scat Pack to Track Pack, the spring rates increase. The Track Pack also gets dual-valve adaptive shocks, which use accelerometers and ride height sensors to change damping force. In addition to Auto, Sport, Eco, and Wet/Snow drive modes, these cars get Drag and Track modes as well as Drift and Donut modes, which distribute more power to the rear and let its wide tail hang out a bit.

Around the back, you’ll find sleek LED “Ring of Fire” lighting, which also incorporates the Fratzog logo. The Charger Daytona also packs a feature atypical for electric vehicles – an exhaust port. It sports the first implementation of Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. Instead of harmful pollutants, this exhaust only outputs sound and vibrations produced by a pair of passive drivers. The beefy sound varies based on throttle input and other variables and can even be revved while sitting at a traffic light like the good old days. It’s also got a Stealth mode for those times when you want to run quietly.

The dashboard keeps things streamlined and focused on the driver, with a widescreen instrument panel that floats behind the steering wheel and a large 12.3-inch touchscreen for accessing the Uconnect 5 multimedia system. That screen also provides access to Performance Pages, which can display data like G-forces and launch times. The Drive Experience Recorder comes with the Track Package and adds video, audio, and telemetry data recording. The sporty steering wheel has a flat top and bottom and quick access to the Power Shot button for quick bursts of energy. There’s a standard 9-speaker, 506-watt Alpine audio system and an available 18-speaker, 914-watt audio system for extra kick.

Since the Charger is now a hatchback, it’s much more versatile than before. Sure, the old models had a pretty big trunk, but with the rear seats folded, you get 38.5 cubic feet – that’s almost as much room as a compact crossover. Dodge says it’s enough space to carry a full set of spare tires to the track.

Dodge has yet to reveal pricing or release dates for the Charger Daytona, but we should see the first 2-door EVs to roll off the Windsor, Ontario, factory line in mid-2024, and the 4-door EVs in early 2025. Given battery prices, I’d expect these models to be significantly more expensive than the prior gas-powered Charger and Challenger. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but I think it’ll be the turbo-6 model that will be more reasonably priced when it hits the streets in 2025.