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It almost seems surreal to say that one of the few remaining pure muscle car manufacturers – Dodge has released an electric version of the Dodge Charger. Four variations of the Dodge Charger have been released that include two electric muscle cars, along with two ICE variants with 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engines. The ICE versions producing 420bhp and 550bhp.
In terms of the power output of the electric versions of the Dodge Charger, the electric Charger Daytona Scat pack produces 670bhp (500kW) and 627 lb-ft of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a quarter mile time of 11.5 seconds. The 2nd version, the Charger R/T electric produces 496bhp (370kW) and 404lb ft. of torque, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. Each has a top speed of 134mph and 137mph.
These new vehicles are built on the Stellantis ‘STLA Large’ platform, with all-wheel drive as standard, with the power being pushed through twin 250kW electric drive motors, front and back.
As for range, the R/T is stated by Dodge as having a 317-mile range, with the Scat Pack good for 260 miles. Fast charging on both vehicles should go from 20 to 80% charge in roughly 27 minutes.
As for the new look, Dodge has clearly dug into the back catalogue of classic muscle cars, with a straight front grille, and lines reminiscent of the original Dodge Charger. The interior is also not that dissimilar from previous models, just with the modern electric vehicle accompaniments we’ve come to expect. These include a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, with a choice of either a 16-inch or 10.25-inch driver’s screen where the traditional dials used to be.
The big elephant in the room with the new e-Charger is replicating that classic V8 tone. Passive radiators are meant to produce the decibel levels of a Hellcat thru. their ‘Fratzonic’ exhaust system, i.e. it’s not just a big speaker pumping out sound, but partly analogue tubing. Time will only tell if this feature stays around(Will we eventually just live with it being a silent electric vehicle?) or if it does fulfil the needed soundtrack we have come to expect from a traditional muscle car.
Will the new e-Charger tick all the boxes for traditional and new muscle car fans? Yes and no, depending on your perspective and needs. It’s a bit like when your favourite band changes musical direction. They inevitably lose some older fans but gain new ones. With such a radical change in direction for Dodge, they are inevitably going to loose some diehard fans, but gain in other areas.
The main thing to bear in mind is to evaluate the car on its own merits. It’s hard to ignore the history behind what has led up to this new vehicle, but will it stand up on its own merits while still having a valid nod to the past?
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