Dodge takes a major step forward in its journey to an electrified, high-performance future with the unveiling of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT, which was unveiled at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan on day three of the dodge speed weekin which the brand made several announcements and launches of high-performance products.
A new powertrain allows the Charger Daytona SRT Concept to outperform Dodge’s famous SRT Hellcat engine, and is accompanied by the distinctive sound of its BEV exhaust system, the first on a vehicle of its kind.
The concept’s modern exterior styling incorporates subtle cues from Dodge’s heritage while exceeding stated aerodynamic goals. Interior design elements connect to each other to create an immersive driver-focused experience through sounds, displays and lighting elements that allow both interior and exterior to be changed with the push of a button.
Key to the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept are three innovative, patent-pending elements that will rewrite the rules of the BEV segment:
- R-Wing– A unique aerodynamic element that connects the concept to its iconic Dodge Daytona namesake
- Fratzonic multi-chamber exhaust: The industry’s first electric vehicle exhaust system can reach 126 dB, making it as loud as a Hellcat-powered Dodge
- eRupt: A multi-speed transmission with an electromechanical shifting experience that is authentically Dodge
“The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept exists because performance forced us to do so,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand CEO – Stellantis. “Dodge is muscle, attitude and performance. The brand carries them in its DNA and now introduces these elements to the BEV segment with a concept packed with patents, innovations and performance elements that embody the electrified muscle of tomorrow. The Charger Daytona SRT concept isn’t just a show car; can run a quarter mile “on fire”. When it comes to product cycles, he beats Darwin. The Charger Daytona will do much more than define where Dodge is headed: in the process, it will reinvent American muscle.”
With its 800 volts, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept’s Banshee powertrain delivers incredible performance and enables Dodge’s first electric vehicle to outpace a Hellcat in all key performance figures. The stock four-wheel drive system is essential to outperforming the Hellcat while improving its all-weather capabilities.
Design-wise, the R-Wing pays homage to the original Charger Daytona design. This is a front spoiler integrated into the functional sports bonnet that allows air to flow through the front opening, improving downforce. Carbon fiber air intakes, inserted on either side of the lower front and rear fascias, create an air curtain to aid aerodynamic performance.
The Charger Daytona SRT Concept combines a modern appearance with a road presence that conveys length, width, confidence. The front grille stands out for its transverse lights with a central Fratzog emblem illuminated in white. This new badge was already anticipated by the brand last year. The three-pronged Fratzog badge, which appeared associated with Dodge muscle cars from 1962 to 1976, was previously used without any meaning or context. Until now. With the Daytona SRT Concept, the Fratzog logo comes to represent Dodge’s electrified future and highlights the brand’s unwavering commitment to its performance heritage, but with new technology capable of pushing the limits of today’s vehicles.
The interior of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept is modern, light and athletic, offering a driver-focused cabin with all the essentials cohesively placed.
The 12.3-inch center display, the largest in a Dodge vehicle to date, tilts nearly ten degrees toward the driver, while the 16-inch instrument panel is curved, creating an immersive feel. An 8×3-inch head-up HUD display provides additional vehicle information right where the driver needs it. The slender instrument panel and its ultraviolet center brace with blue and silver accent stitching exhibit cross-sectional filigree. The top of the instrument panel is in a raised plane, a change in height that helps create an effect of floating above the rest of the panel. The ultraviolet color is found in multiple interior spaces, such as the console, the doors or the seats, generating an adjustable halo with the Attitude Adjustment Lighting TM function, which allows to improve shadows and reflections.
The new steering wheel design, with a flat top and bottom, provides a slim feel. Also, its center spoke is not connected to the rim, so the steering wheel appears to be floating. The paddle shifters are integrated into the steering wheel, with the PowerShot button on the right and the drive mode controls on the left. Like the doors, it has capacitive touch controls. An illuminated red SRT logo illuminates the center of the steering wheel.
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT’s seats are lightweight and race-inspired. It features inserts whose perforated pattern forms the Fratzog logo. This unique pattern fades as it travels across the seat and reappears as it flows down the center of the backrests. The upper backrests have openings and reinforcements that offer a sporty feeling, while supporting the occupants.
The panoramic glass roof provides an open-air driving feel and helps rear passengers enjoy the experience as well. The parametric interior texture extends to the roof lining that surrounds and highlights the glazed area. The carbon fiber floor and tailgate are lightweight elements inspired by the world of racing. The large cargo area along with folding rear seats provides more storage space than any Dodge car to date.
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