Dodge has revealed an electrified future for the brand with the unveiling of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept.
The two-door Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept battery-electric vehicle was unveiled at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan, during the Dodge Speed Week event series, which featured announcements and reveals of Dodge performance products.
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept features a new propulsion system with performance that exceeds the Dodge brand’s SRT Hellcat engine, accompanied by an industry-first BEV exhaust sound, the automaker said.
The concept’s modern exterior styling incorporates subtle Dodge heritage cues while also exceeding aerodynamic targets, designers said, while interior design elements connect to create a driver-centric, immersive experience through sounds, displays and lighting features.
Core to the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept are three game-changing, patent-pending features:
- R-Wing: A unique aerodynamic pass-through design feature that connects the concept with its iconic Dodge Daytona namesake
- Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust: Industry-first BEV exhaust, can reach 126 dB, making it as loud as a Hellcat-powered Dodge
- eRupt: Multi-speed transmission with an electro-mechanical shifting experience that’s pure Dodge
“The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept exists because performance made us do it,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “Dodge is about muscle, attitude and performance, and the brand carries that chip on its shoulder and into the BEV segment through a concept loaded with patents, innovations, and performance features that embody the electrified muscle of tomorrow. The Charger Daytona SRT Concept can do more than run the car show circuit; it can run a blazing quarter-mile. And when it comes to product cycles, it outruns Darwin. Charger Daytona does more than define where Dodge is headed, it will redefine American muscle in the process.
“One day ago, the brand’s first-ever electrified performance vehicle was unveiled, the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet. Today, we revealed a peek at our eMuscle future with the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept. When we said it was going to be an electric summer for Dodge, we meant it.”
The Charger Daytona SRT is powered Dodge’s new 800V Banshee propulsion system, making Dodge’s first electric vehicle faster than a Hellcat in all key performance measures, the company said, while also featuring a standard all-wheel-drive system
Unlike typical BEVs, the Dodge brand’s eRupt multi-speed transmission with electro-mechanical shifting delivers distinctive shift points, while the Charger Daytona SRT Concept also boasts a PowerShot push-to-pass feature. Activated by the push of a button on the steering wheel, PowerShot delivers increased horsepower for a quick burst of acceleration.
The Charger Daytona SRT Concept voices a 126 dB exhaust note that equals the SRT Hellcat, generated through a new, patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust pushes its sound through an amplifier and tuning chamber located at the rear of the vehicle.
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept features a 1968 Dodge Charger-inspired design that takes on the challenge of revolutionizing the look of a BEV while offering subtle nods to the brand’s muscle car past, Dodge designers said.
The Charger Daytona SRT Concept’s patent-pending R-Wing redefines the typical Dodge front end, maintaining the characteristically blunt Dodge profile while developing a more aerodynamic vehicle.
The R-Wing, an homage to the original Charger Daytona design and a key figure behind development of the original vehicle, allows air to flow through the front opening, enhancing downforce. Incorporated into this functional performance hood, the front R-Wing holds true to the brand’s dramatic exterior themes while delivering an aerodynamically improved pass-through design. Carbon-fiber intakes tucked into both sides of the front and rear lower fascias provide an air curtain to assist in aerodynamic performance, engineers said.
The front grille features cross-car illuminated lighting centered by a white illuminated Fratzog badge, which was originally featured on Dodge muscle cars from 1962 through 1976.
Other design features include headlights hidden underneath the R-Wing, full width front and rear lighting design centered by a 3D illuminated Fratzog badge, flush door handles and brushed aluminum Banshee fender badges.
Painted-pocket 21-inch wheels with diamond-cut faces continue the aerodynamic efficiencies with a turbine-like design, and a red Fratzog logo embellishes the wheel center locks. Grey six-piston brakes provide stopping power.
A new hatchback design adds functionality along with rear seats that fold flat, offering unexpected utility and storage capacity from a muscle car, Dodge said.
Connected, Driver-centric Interior
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept’s interior features a 12.3-inch center screen angled nearly ten degrees towards the driver, and a curved, 16-inch instrument cluster. An 8-by-3-inch Head-up Display (HUD) provides additional vehicle information. The slim instrument panel (IP) and mid-bolster in Ultraviolet color with blue and silver accent stitching feature a “waterline” that extends cross car. The Ultraviolet color also touches multiple interior surfaces, such as the console, doors and seats, creating a halo that works with the Attitude Adjustment Lighting™ to enhance shadows and highlights.
A new steering wheel design offers a thinner feel, with a flat top and bottom. The center spoke of the steering wheel is not connected to the rim, giving the steering wheel a floating feel. Paddle shifters are mounted on the steering wheel, with the PowerShot button on the right and drive mode controls on the left.
Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept seats are lightweight, race-inspired and slim in design, with an insert that features an abstract, perforated pattern of the Fratzog logo.
A panoramic glass roof gives an open-air feel to the Charger Daytona SRT Concept, while the carbon fiber “tub” floor and hatch are race-inspired lightweight features, and the large cargo area along with fold-flat rear seats provides more storage space than any previous Dodge muscle car.
The Charger Daytona SRT Concept’s cockpit also aims to immerse driver in performance sounds, lighting features and vehicle displays.
A one-button press on the steering wheel lets the driver pick from Auto, Sport, Track and Drag modes, instantly changing the driving dynamics, instrument cluster information, HUD content, performance sound and interior lighting features of the vehicle.
