Dodge charger daytona srt stryker red concept
Combustion engine enthusiasts can't accept that the next-gen Charger and Challenger will become full EVs, despite all the previous official statements.
A deluge of rumors and counter-rumors has surrounded the iconic muscle car since its first announcement in 2022. Although official statements at the time confidently mentioned a full transition to electric power for the entire Charger and Challenger lineup, rumors and hopes for a combustion engine model are still going strong.
The lack of a recent official announcement from either Dodge or their overlords at Stellantis serves only to stoke the fire of rumors. But in reality, there is no hiding from the truth; the upcoming Charger and Challenger will be predominantly electric.
Dodge has already discontinued both the combustion-powered Charger and the two-door Challenger. So, even if the manufacturer is hiding a combustion model, it will most certainly be just a token model, a farewell to the legendary roaring ICEs of old.
Is Dodge really going all-electric?
Well, if you had asked last year, the answer would have been: certainly, yes. This was the exact quote taken from a conversation about this particular subject between a Dodge spokesperson and Motor1: "The Hemi in that platform, as well as that platform, is going away. The next generation will be BEV."
But since then, an eerie silence has reigned. Is Dodge preparing a surprise for us? We can't really say for sure, but that old statement is certainly open to interpretation. Maybe Dodge was referring to the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV? The doubts about Dodge's future path have only grown stronger with each new reveal. First, the Ford Mustang, which was entirely ICE, and then the supercharged Mustang GTD. These debuts showed no sign of a gradual transition to electrification.
Mopar Insider, the online forum, is leading the campaign for maintaining a combustion engine Charger. Their approach is to make a clear distinction between what we know will be electric, namely the Charger Daytona, and what we don't at the moment, aka the old-fashioned Charger. This logic suggests a brand new Dodge EV segment represented by the new Daytona, naturally with several trim levels, topped by the Banshee EV, and puts it side by side with the combustion Charger. This may seem far-fetched to some, but who knows? Life is full of surprises, especially in the car industry.
What Is New In the Charger EV?
As mentioned above, the Charger EV will be the latest addition to the Dodge family, most certainly as a 2024 model. And just like its gas-powered ancestors, it will have both 2-door and 4-door variants. Further design details will become available as we inch closer to the awaited reveal date. So, instead of rushing for a regular car cover, it would be a good idea to wait and opt for a high-quality custom car cover, specifically designed for the 2024 Dodge Charger.
Should I buy the 2024 electric charger?
At the moment, Dodge has announced only three trim levels for the upcoming electric muscle car. The prices you see on the chart are just temporary estimates; other trim levels will appear before the launch date, and the prices will shift. One thing is certain: the electric model will be offered at a significant premium compared to the gasoline-powered models, as is the trend with all new EV models.
How much horsepower does a 2024 electric Charger have?
The simple answer is 455 horsepower, 590 horsepower, and, finally, unknown, depending on the chosen trim level. The base entry-level 340 model and the mid-level 440 model will be making 455 and 590 horsepower, respectively.
While the top-level SRT Banshee still keeps its true power secret, Dodge says it is powered by an all-wheel-drive 800-volt architecture but hasn't disclosed any numbers yet. Dodge also said that it will have a multi-speed transmission, mimicking the one found on old-school gas-powered cars.
The concept is not entirely strange for EVs, but it's extremely rare. One notable example of such a transmission design is the Porsche Taycan. The system is said to enhance performance and range at high speeds while also giving the driver the familiar sensation of gear shifting.
Dodge charger daytona srt stryker red concept
What does the 2024 Dodge EV interior look like?
The 2024 Charger is presented as a coupe, forsaking the four-door tradition Dodge is well known for. Inside, it's all about cargo space; the trunk lid is designed in a liftback style, revealing a huge storage space that can be extended by folding down the rear seats. To accommodate that, regular seat covers won't do; you need custom-made seat covers that fit perfectly on your Charger seats to preserve the folding feature.
Inside, we find a nice blend of a modern purist design approach and retro elements like the pistol-grip shift lever and a fighter-jet-style cap for the ignition switch. This level of detailing elevates the dashboard to the level of an art piece that's worth preserving. Protect your dash with special custom-made dash covers designed to eliminate the risk of UV ray damage, dirt, and wear and tear.
Dodge charger daytona srt stryker red concept
The 2024 Combustion engine Dodge Charger - what to expect?
Starting from the top, the Charger will most likely run on a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, a heart it will share with the current generation Jeep Grand Wagoneer and probably the refreshed Ram pickup as well. This straight-six beast is rated for 510 horsepower, which surpasses all of the current Charger offerings except for the Hellcat family.
If true, this setup will achieve multiple objectives simultaneously: it will boost the next generation's power compared to the last generation, it will be more fuel-efficient, and more importantly, it will certainly satisfy the combustion engine hardcore fans out there who are still reluctant to make the faithful transition to electric power.
Keep in mind that you shouldn't take any of these claims at face value; we will continue to dwell in this gray area as long as Dodge and Stellantis remain silent. Motor1 tried to contact the carmaker again, hoping to, at least, reaffirm last year's statement or ideally extract some new details. But it succeeded in neither of those goals.
Luckily for us, Dodge can't keep the truth hidden forever. Stellantis is taking part in the 2023 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, starting on September 16. And it will have at least one major reveal, so let's sit tight and hope for the best.
