The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT is a Charged Up Electric Prototype
Stellantis has just unveiled the Charger Daytona SRT Concept during the Dodge Speed Week event in Michigan. It is nothing less than a fully electric Charger prototype and joins the Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango and Hornet 2023 presented earlier this week. If purists didn’t like the four-door Charger (because, well, it had too many doors for a Charger), this concept might capture their interest because it’s somwhat of a return to the model's origins. As you can see on the pictures, it's a two-door coupe with a hatch in the rear.
An Electric Car That Roars
Dodge made it very clear during the reveal; this concept is anything but boring. And the automaker is making a strong statement about defining itself as a brand that fuels on passion and performance.
- Also: 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown is the First of Seven “Last Call” Special Editions
- Also: Dodge Once Again Revives Super Bee for 2023
However, everyone is well aware that electricity will become, sooner rather than later, the only way to go. So rather than using a big engine like the ones we've been accustomed to in the past, Dodge used an 800-volt electric motor called Banshee. Interestingly, Banshee is also a series of concept vehicles developed by Pontiac in the last century.
What’s also interesting is that the concept is equipped with an electromechanical transmission. That one is called eRupt, and is defined as a multi-speed transmission. And although electric vehicles are distinguished from combustion engine vehicles by their almost total absence of noise, Dodge is trying something new. In fact, this Charger Daytona SRT prototype is equipped with an exhaust system that roars at up to 126 decibels - that’s the equivalent of what the current Hellcat engine (strictly in terms of decibels).
Blast From the Past
Dodge is also going nostalgic, even though it uses modern technologies all around. For example, the Ftratzog logo is apparent on numerous parts of the car. This emblem was used by Dodge between 1962 and 1976 and it is probably making a comeback. It is reminiscent of the 1969 Charger Daytona ½ which was the first to reach 322 km/h in NASCAR. Inside, Dodge added modernized version of the pistol grip lever, which was popular with manual transmission-equipped muscle cars back in the day.
