For something boasting nearly 700 horsepower, the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona’s press rollout seemed fairly subdued. No smoke machine, no Night Ranger-grade lasers.
One of the first comments out of the mouth of Dodge Brand CEO Matt McAlear: Approach the Charger Daytona “as a muscle car first and an EV second.”
Okay, Matt, you’re on.
Indeed, the new Charger Daytona–orderable …
So it’s big but well proportioned.
Insert Yo Mamma joke.
How does the Dodge seem if you think of it as a lower cost alternative to something from Lucid?
APEowner said:How does the Dodge seem if you think of it as a lower cost alternative to something from Lucid?
It's tough to make this math math out correctly because even the lowest contented Lucid has more features (like proper route planning or Plug&Charge) than the Charger. Now, apparently more features will be added by Dodge as OTA updates, but as of now the TomTom-based nav system doesn't even do true charge system/network integration to do automated route planning.
The Charger really seems to aim for an old-school hot rod experience, but it does it at a premium price and with performance that doesn't set itself apart enough to overlook the lack of features or all that mass.
I'd like to see it right next to a 1969 Charger for size and dimension comparison. These EVs just don't excite me. I think Chrysler has narrowed down their demographic to such a sliver of the population that these cars won't sell in great numbers. The current Challengers and Chargers are running all over the place here in NC, with drivers who love muscle cars. So how many of those buyers would consider an EV version? How many Tesla and Ioniq buyers would consider one of these new Chrysler EVs? I'm guessing not too many.
Not allowing two pedal driving in the track mode or a performance car is an odd choice.
If we insist on giving EVs artificial sound, why not amplify their real sounds? Some of what I've heard from the Ford SuperVan and Ken Block's EV was pretty badass.
$73k seems like crazy money for this. Hopefully you guys get a chance to give one a proper test around the FIRM to get some data but I'd bet you could spank this thing with a Mustang that costs a lot less.
For those of us that consider vehicles sounds to be akin to music, I'm really disappointed in the current state of EV sounds. Unlike many, I'm not opposed to speakers being used for this, but only in the right context.
Cars with combustion engines are like acoustic guitars. EV's are like electric guitars, with all of the possibilities and musical potential that entails. Unfortunately, rather than actually plugging the electric guitar in, they're choosing to just go play Guitar-Hero instead.
And, for reference, here's a video of the Hans Zimmer-composed noises J.G. is talking about:
DavyZ said:I'd like to see it right next to a 1969 Charger for size and dimension comparison.
Looking at the specs, it's 2 inches shorter in length, 7 inches wider, and 7 inches taller. Looks like around 50% more curb weight as well.
Sure it's powerful but it, in a nutshell, encapsulate my main issue with EVs.
They are grossly overweight. You are not going to be chucking it about without shredding the tires in short order.
Dodge should never use this photo ever again:
Holy hell, this photo makes that car look laughably bad.
Like others have said, I feel like the Venn Diagram of "Prospective EV owners" and "Mopar people" has an infintesimally small middle section.
CrashDummy said:
If we insist on giving EVs artificial sound, why not amplify their real sounds? Some of what I've heard from the Ford SuperVan and Ken Block's EV was pretty badass.
$73k seems like crazy money for this. Hopefully you guys get a chance to give one a proper test around the FIRM to get some data but I'd bet you could spank this thing with a Mustang that costs a lot less.
Actually, most of the R/Ts at the launch had stickers north of $70k. the Scat packs all had stickers of at least $82k. I'm not sure what a stripped R/t would even look like because it didn;t seem like there was a lot of content left to delete already.
And I totally agree on sounds. Or simply get some awesome sound designers to produce sounds that will help EVs establish their own identities through sound. The possibilities are literally endless and i feel like there's just no excuse for playing V8 noises anymore.
Heck, I'd be tempted to pay to download a sound suite from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for my EV. Aphex Twin download? Squarepusher? Here's my credit card.
I'd actually love to know a little more about the signal path for the soundtracks as well. Is it simply a couple samples with variable effects based on torque demand and speed and load and whatnot? Or even a complete bank of smaples just accessed through a LUT? Or is there actually real-time synthesis taking place?
Honestly I like Hyundai's system on the 5N a lot. Some of the sci-fi sounds are a little gimmicky, but the simple buzz that raises in frequency and pitch as the car accelerates is PERFECT for on track use. It's perfectly in sync with the dynamic characteristics of the car, and gives you one more sensory input to time your actions on track with. It's the automotive equivalent of a live drummer playing along to a click track rather than a full mix on stage. It may not be the best emotional addition, but as a functional one it's pretty exceptional.
Did Dodge forget the formula for making a muscle car? They should've had a car with something like a Tesla 3 powertrain, otherwise fairly basic to maximize acceleration and keep costs down. Muscle cars were never big for the sake of being big, they were big because that was an ordinary size for a car at the time - muscle cars were generally slightly smaller than contemporary sedans. They only seem big in retrospect.
I'm also surprised that with modern steering angle sensors etc, track mode doesn't work like sport mode when at minimal steering angles for better acceleration. Although I suspect they may also have an incentive to keep power levels down on track for heat management reasons.
I guess the best way to look at this entire "performance" EV segment is that it's in its infancy. Having read enough comments regarding this segment, acceleration is more or less a given. Handling is still a work in process, especially given the weight of the battery packs. More energy dense, lighter batteries will help this part of the equation, but who knows when those will become a reality. I've heard these new chemistries are being developed, and this one aspect could be the key to truly unlocking the handling dilemma. The other aspect is transitioning from what we know to what we're still experiencing. This comment has to do with sound(s). Some will try to replicate whats known, others will try to create a new genre altogether. It seems the latter is gaining more converts than the former.
I like the looks and the hatchback size and utility. The rear seats have substantial room especially for a 2 door. The weight is a shame as Tesla has brought weight down to be closer to ICE vehicles since the Model 3 isn't much different than BMW 3 series or Camaros and Mustangs.
As far as the target audience I see a common driver of Hellcats and Challengers now being targeted since those drivers don't take them to the track but drag strips and street take overs in intersections. These new EVs Chargers will be fine in those circumstances and the idiots can hang out of the hatch before clipping bystanders. The Fratzonic exhaust sound will undoubtedly be hooked up to the in car stereo and bump the bass in no time. Sadly the price hurts it so much that regular buyers will look elsewhere and the target market can't afford it.
So this is only ~500 lbs. lighter and ~0.5 seconds quicker to 60 than my F-150?! With less range?
Uhhhhh...
Tom Suddard said:So this is only ~500 lbs. lighter and ~0.5 seconds quicker to 60 than my F-150?! With less range?
Uhhhhh...
so what you're saying is Hoovie needs to do a video where he tows a 100 year old Dodge behind a new charger and then have main stream media misrepresent the video?
I'm finding this all very disappointing. I really want this to be a great car but it seem that's just not the case. At least not at this price point.
The only time Dodge seemed too concerned with the Charger's weight was the L body era, but the price is one thing that's rather out of character. The Charger has always been about a car with a lot of attitude at a reasonable price tag, and these are really pricey. They need something along the lines of the Roadrunner here.
Curious to see how the gas version pans out next year. I do like the styling.
Purists will have to battle with the being an EV, but it now has the right number of doors.
It really needs the sound from George Jetsons vehicle to make people's heads explode.
Acceleration is solid–Dodge claims 3.3 seconds to reach 60–but not spectacular given the competition in the category. It feels weird saying a 3.3-second zero-to-60 is “not spectacular,” but in a category where the 3-second barrier is regularly flirted with and even broken, it takes a big statement to make a splash in this pond.
Yes, it's a mid-tier execution of an EV, but the idea that I can just buy a Dodge that goes 0-60 in 3.3 is crazy.
Pants-on-head crazy.
Chat GPT says the driver of the dodge is experiencing .83g's for those 3.3 seconds. As a frame of reference, a F14 tomcat does about 1.5 when it takes off.
While not a big Dodge fan, I have recently been following TK's Garage on YouTube. With all the turmoil at Stelantis, the removal of a CEO and the return of Tim Keniskus (sp?), there are also concerns on the EV Charger production with 1/3 to 1/2 being bricked at the end of the production line. The good news seems to be acceleration, pun intended, of stuffing a couple different, high power V8 engines.
No Time said:Purists will have to battle with the being an EV, but it now has the right number of doors.
It really needs the sound from George Jetsons vehicle to make people's heads explode.
The Charger has been a four door for about as long as it was ever a two door :)
Performance EVs already make a cool noise. If you're going to amplify something, amplify that.
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