Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept | Image: Stellantis

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Revealed: An EV Muscle Car with a Fake V8 Sound

By Somnath Chatterjee - News

Published: 26 Aug 2022, Last Updated: 6 Apr 2023

Electrification has turned the automotive world upside down where a humble family luxury sedan can outrun a supercar but it also means that the days of loud V8-powered muscle cars are coming to an end. However, while muscle cars of the future may not come with an oversized V8 stuffed underneath their hood, they can sound nearly as good as their petrol counterparts. Yep, the clever folks at Dodge have thought about this huge problem and fixed it with their Charger Dayton SRT concept. This is an attempt at making an electric muscle car and while the headline performance claims are indeed better than a Hellcat, we are more intrigued by its exhaust system- yes, an EV with an exhaust!

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept | Image: Stellantis

Essentially, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept emits a 126 dB roar which is like a SRT Hellcat and this sound is generated through a patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. Hence, fake exhaust sounds are piped through an amplifier and tuning chamber located at the rear of the vehicle. Now, muscle car fans might be put off by these ‘tuned’ exhaust noises but we’d say it is a lot better than a noise-less EV any day.

This is Dodge clearing trying its best at simulating the performance and the feel of a muscle car while also making sure it gets the best EV bits. Like all high-performance EVs it gets an 800v ‘Banshee’ architecture along with a multi-speed transmission that sure adds in a lot more in terms of driver involvement since other stalwarts of the fast EV game like the Taycan also use the same concept.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept | Image: Stellantis

Of course, with a dual-motor layout the Charger Daytona SRT is all-wheel drive but still will let you indulge in gratuitous drifts. There is also a ‘PowerShot’ push-to-pass feature where increased horsepower is unleashed for a quick burst of acceleration. We also love the streamlined shape which is influenced by the 1968 Charger with muscular haunches along with tight surfacing. 21-inch wheels along with details like the hidden R-Wing plus headlights ‘which almost disappear’ are some other cool details.

The interior gets a 12.3-inch screen- the biggest fitted to a Dodge and a curved 16-inch digital driver display along with a thinner steering wheel design plus the upholstery is inspired by the ’68 Charger as well. A fighter jet cap to flip open the start button and the pistol-grip gear shifter are further nods to its past. As of now, it’s a concept albeit an ambitious one but props to Dodge for at least trying to deal with the eventual fate of loud muscle cars with an innovative twist. We’d wager that this would be lurking around Dodge showrooms in 2024.

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