From Muscle to Electric: Dodge Charger Revs Up with Turbo-Petrol 6-Cylinder, Bids Adieu to V8

The automotive world is abuzz with anticipation as Dodge unveils the eighth-generation Charger, ushering in a new era for this legendary nameplate. Departing from convention, this latest iteration bids farewell to its iconic Hemi V8 engine, opting instead for a revolutionary lineup featuring a straight-six powertrain and the cutting-edge option of battery-electric propulsion. This bold move signals a significant shift in the Charger’s trajectory, promising not just exhilarating performance, but also a leap forward in sustainability. Join us as we delve into the details of this groundbreaking announcement, poised to reshape the landscape of high-performance sedans.

Dodge Charger petrol Variant

In the latest Charger Daytona, Dodge introduces a formidable combustion option: the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane straight six engine, borrowed from the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Dubbed the Sixpack, this powerhouse boasts two output variations: a robust 426 horsepower in its ‘standard output’ guise, or an impressive 558 horsepower in the ‘high output’ configuration. Power is seamlessly transmitted to all four wheels, promising an exhilarating driving experience characterized by both power and precision.

While Dodge has remained tight-lipped about the detailed performance statistics of the Sixpack muscle cars, the American brand has tantalized enthusiasts with insights into the potential of the Charger Daytona EV.

Introducing the range-topping Scat Pack, a powerhouse of innovation featuring dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors paired with silicon-carbide inverters. This dynamic duo churns out an impressive standard output of 639 horsepower and 850Nm of torque. But hold on tight, because with the activation of the Powershot – reminiscent of the traditional nitrous oxide boost in drag racers – power surges to a staggering 679 horsepower.

This formidable figure nearly rivals the raw strength of the wild 717 horsepower V8 Charger Hellcat. Brace yourself for an electrifying performance that pushes the boundaries of power and exhilaration.

Despite its hefty weight of 2,648kg, the Scat Pack demonstrates impressive agility by sprinting from 0-96kph in just 3.3 seconds. Covering a quarter-mile in a swift 11.5 seconds, this powerhouse achieves a top speed of 216kph. For comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid electric sedan, equipped with a tri-motor setup generating 1034hp, boasts a blistering 0-96kph time of 2.4 seconds and a claimed quarter-mile time of 9.2 seconds.

For those seeking enhanced cornering prowess, Scat Pack cars offer an optional Track Pack upgrade. This package aims to elevate handling performance by stiffening the springs, swapping out monotube dampers for adaptive units, and upgrading the disc brakes to Brembo units with a diameter of 410mm. Additionally, the Track Pack includes a staggered tire setup featuring Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 rubber, measuring 305mm wide at the front and 325mm wide at the rear.

In contrast, the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T equipped with the dual-motor system sees a reduction in outputs to 462 horsepower (503 horsepower with Powershot) and 548Nm of torque. Despite this, it still impresses with a 0-96kph acceleration time of 4.7 seconds and completes the quarter-mile sprint in 13.1 seconds. With a top speed of 220kph, slightly higher than that of the shorter-geared Scat Pack, the Charger Daytona R/T delivers a balanced blend of performance and accessibility.

Dodge Charger EV Varaint Range

The electric iterations of the Charger Daytona are equipped with a robust 400V electrical architecture and a sizable 100.5kWh (93.9kWh usable) battery pack. This configuration translates to an impressive range of 510km in the R/T variant, as per the stringent US EPA test cycle (known to be tougher than the WLTP cycle used in Europe). Meanwhile, the higher-performing Scat Pack offers a slightly reduced but still substantial range of 418km on a single charge.

The Charger Daytona’s battery supports rapid charging rates of up to 183kW, enabling a 20-80 percent charge in just 27 minutes. Dodge has also disclosed that the battery is capable of discharging energy at rates up to an impressive 550kW – surpassing the 500kW maximum drawn by the Scat Pack’s two motors. This intriguing revelation hints at the possibility of future electric variants boasting up to 748 horsepower, potentially unlocking even greater performance capabilities in the future.

2024 Dodge Charger Design

Both the combustion and electric variants of the Charger Daytona share identical appearances. Available in both two-door and four-door configurations, the electric two-door models are set to hit US roads by the end of 2024.

Visually, the Mk8 Charger draws inspiration from its legendary predecessor, the Mk2, featuring a sleek roofline and headlights seamlessly integrated into a blacked-out front grille. Paying homage to Dodge’s heritage, the grille proudly displays the triangular ‘Fratzog’ logo, last seen on one of the brand’s cars in 1976. At the rear, the new Charger maintains the signature LED lightbar from the Mk7 model, but with a rectangular design reminiscent of the smaller Dodge Challenger.

Interior

Inside, the Charger Daytona offers a range of digital displays, including a 10.25-inch or 16.0-inch instrument cluster, complemented by a driver-focused 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Accommodating five passengers, it features a 60:40 split rear bench for flexible cargo space.

Pricing details for the US market are pending. Stellantis has confirmed no UK launch plans, and there’s no indication of an Indian release for the new Dodge Charger, according to a company spokesperson speaking to Autocar UK.

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