Dodge revealed the Charger Daytona SRT Concept 18 months ago, signaling its transition from V-8 to electric. On Tuesday, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona was unveiled, fulfilling CEO Tim Kuniskis’s promise of a production car hidden in plain sight, emphasizing their strategy in electrified performance.
Retaining a key feature from the concept, Dodge introduces the R-Wing, serving as an “air neutral” element over a low-dipping nose, minimizing drag. The design includes thin daytime running lights stretching along the face and curving up towards the wing, creating a distinctive boxy frame.
Omitting the R-Wing would result in a front end resembling the 1968 Dodge Charger Daytona, known for its sizable nose cone and towering 23-inch rear wing. Notably, the 2024 model measures 79.8 inches in width (excluding mirrors), nearly five inches wider than its predecessor.
According to Scott Krugger, head of Dodge design, the Charger Daytona boasts considerable width, rivaling that of duallie trucks, to accommodate its massive tires. The Track Package, exclusive to the Scat Pack, features staggered tires, including Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3s, with 305/35ZR20s at the front and 325s at the rear, mounted on 11-inch and 11.5-inch wide wheels, respectively.
Included in the package are the largest brake components ever offered by Dodge, comprising 6-piston Brembo calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear, paired with 16.0-inch rotors both front and rear. These enhancements are deemed essential for a vehicle weighing 5,838 pounds and achieving a 0-60 mph acceleration in just 3.3 seconds.
Kuniskis announced plans to replace superchargers with kilowatts and Power Shots, aiming for the Banshee’s release in late 2025 while maintaining an interim solution with internal-combustion engine Chargers, albeit without a V-8 option.
Launching in the first quarter of 2025, the Charger Sixpack will offer a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, providing a choice between 420 hp or 550 hp. Summer brings the arrival of battery electric versions, labeled Charger Daytona, expected to lead sales with a 100.5-kwh lithium-ion battery pack and 250-kw motors for all-wheel drive.
Equipped with Dodge’s Power Shot upgrade for its launch year, the Charger Daytona offers an additional 40 hp for 15-second bursts, activated by a hot button on the steering wheel. Next year, this upgrade will be available at an extra cost, branded as the Direct Connection Stage 1 or Stage 2 upgrade kit, boosting total output and performance metrics.
The Charger Daytona R/T kit estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, while the Scat Pack variant achieves a quicker 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. Despite not prioritizing range and efficiency, Kuniskis emphasized the Charger’s focus on being the ultimate performance car until the Banshee’s release.
With a range of 317 miles for the R/T and 260 miles for the Scat Pack, the Charger Daytona proves its endurance, particularly when equipped with 20-inch wheels. Offering three levels of regenerative braking and a launch control function, it ensures dynamic driving experiences.
Featuring a disconnect in the front drive unit for enhanced efficiency and a mechanical limited-slip differential in the rear unit for improved traction, the Charger Daytona optimizes power delivery. Alongside standard drive modes, the Scat Packs boast specialized modes like Drag, Drift, and Donut for versatile performance.
Enhanced with adaptive dampers in the multilink suspensions, the Scat Pack Track Pack facilitates dynamic handling. In Drift mode, it adjusts dampers to induce oversteer, complemented by the chambered Fratzonic exhaust system delivering distinctive sound, which can be controlled to match driving preferences.
Utilizing a 400-volt architecture, the Charger Daytona supports fast charging, reaching 20-80% charge in 28 minutes with a peak rate of 183 kW. At home, its 11-kW onboard charger enables a 5-80% charge in seven hours, while future access to Tesla’s Supercharger network promises convenient charging options.
Based on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, the Dodge Charger Daytona offers an expanded footprint. The forthcoming five-door option, displayed in Peel Out orange, presents a captivating design, although initial prototypes may lack rear seats, promising versatility and style for drivers.
Extending half a foot longer than its predecessor, the 2024 Charger Daytona measures 206.6 inches with a 121-inch wheelbase. Passenger space remains similar, yet cargo capacity expands significantly with a hatch replacing the trunk, increasing by 133%, as stated by Dodge.
Featuring a 23.0 cubic feet spacious hatch with a concealed floor, the Charger Daytona allows for versatile cargo arrangements, accommodating up to 38.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded, ideal for carrying items like a set of four track tires, according to Dodge’s suggestion.
Despite generous headroom upfront, even with an optional fixed-glass roof, rear occupants taller than 6 feet might find the space cramped, with rear legroom akin to most compact crossovers, allowing for reasonable accommodation of four passengers in the three-door model.
With the B-pillars shifted forward in the five-door model, rear space might be insufficient for larger individuals, as the Charger Daytona stands taller than its predecessor at 59.0 inches, increasing ground clearance to 5.6 inches to accommodate the battery pack housed in the floor.
Expected pricing details closer to its summer launch suggest the Daytona R/T could retail for around $55,000, while the Scat Pack variant might command roughly $70,000. Anticipated battery production relocation from Korea to Kokomo, Ind., in 2025 indicates potential eligibility for federal EV tax credits for the electric muscle car produced in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, at that time.
