Information on the all-new Dodge Charger keeps trickling in, especially within these past few days, and a blog from me on this hot new ride is long overdue. Where do I even begin?
First, let's talk about just how different it looks from its predecessor. The biggest change has me jumping for joy: there is once again a two-door Charger! That makes me so happy, as myself and others felt the reintroduction of the Charger in the mid-2000's as a sedan was a betrayal to its legendary roots. (It was almost as sinful as calling that FWD L-Body from the 80's a Charger!) There will still be a four-door variant of the Charger come 2025, but the coupe came with the cost of the Challenger nameplate retiring after this year.
Design on these new Chargers is a departure from the past and a stride towards the future for Dodge. The cars give off a sense of familiarity, yet they're unlike anything we've seen from Stellantis thus far. They're some sleek looking rides, with futuristic styling inside and out that doesn't disregard the company's heritage. You can tell its Mopar, especially from the windows upward, but the changes aren't subtle.
Beyond aesthetics, there's a whole lot I could fill you in on with regards as to why this new Charger platform is so exciting. What's probably the biggest thing is that there is no longer a V8 offering. As blasphemous as that may be for some, what's offered instead is in fact a replacement for displacement. With a battery instead of a gas tank, the Charger Daytona is what's being described as the first muscle EV. It's something else!
You can either go with that, or opt for an Inline-6 powerplant to continue making trips to the pump and to keep that rumble beneath the hood. The ICE will be dubbed the Charger Six Pack, and those aren't expected to hit dealerships until 2025. The Daytona coupe should be the first variant of these cars to arrive to consumers. Both drivetrain options put out some massive numbers, but the EV is unparalleled with up to 670hp available out the gate.
All that power is put to the ground via AWD, and that's the only way they'll be making any Charger going forward. Pair that grip advantage with advanced launch control, and these muscle cars are going to be borderline impossible to beat off the line at the stoplight, or even at the dragstrip. The temporary top-of-the-line Daytona Scat Pack is reported to have a quarter mile time of 11.5 seconds with a 0-60 in 3.3. That's blazing fast for a production vehicle, and apparently it's only the beginning for Dodge's journey into electrification.
On that note, Dodge has attached a symbol to this new era they're entering, and I couldn't neglect to bring it up here. To denote a new chapter in muscle, they've revived what is known as the Fratzog. The Fratzog could be found on various Dodges in the 60's, such as my all-time favorite car, the 1967 Charger. It's something like an equilateral triangle with inward-curving lines, and you'll often see it depicted in red. I don't believe it is much more than a cool logo with no deep meaning, but I dig the nod to the cars of yesteryear.
That's really what it's all about for new Dodge; changing to keep up with the future while remaining true to themselves and maintaining their fanbase. I'm glad they had the courage to push forward into the uncertain instead of sticking with the past out of principle. There might be a little hesitation initially on the part of the consumer with just how different these cars are compared to their predecessors, but I think that will fade quick when they hit the streets. The proof is in the pudding, as we'll discover, and my expectations are huge.
I hate to admit it, but when it comes to EV's; if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! I still consider driving one to be crossing over to the dark side, and I'd go with the Six Pack myself, but you can't argue with performance.
Anyhow, as much as I'd like to tell you all about the Fratzonic "exhaust" the Daytona is set to have or give you specifics on the battery range or tire size, I think I'll finish off this blog here. If you would like to know more about the all-new Dodge Charger, check out these links below!