As quickly because the idea for the Dodge Charger Daytona was unveiled on the SEMA Show again in 2022, the anticipation for the electrified way forward for one of the iconic muscle car nameplates in historical past grew stronger and stronger. Now that the Charger Daytona has been formally revealed, we now higher perceive the direction that Dodge will be taking with the Charger, a few of which weren’t solely anticipated.

What was anticipated, nonetheless, and is now confirmed, is that the primary all-new Charger Daytona would be the coupe model launched later this yr. Considering that the Charger has been a long-standing gas-powered large within the muscle automotive scene, many followers have been skeptical concerning the mannequin shifting away from the iconic HEMI V-8. However, Dodge unveiled some mighty intriguing plans for the Charger fashions that may comply with the electrified Daytona.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Dodge’s producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with our sister web site, CarBuzz.

The Potential With Dodge’s New “Multi-Energy” Platform”

Throughout the Charger’s historical past up till at the moment, there hasn’t been some other model of the Charger apart from an inner combustion engine-powered mannequin, which dates again to 1966. Despite going via a complete of seven generations with hybrid and electrical automobiles changing into an increasing number of distinguished, Dodge remained agency in delivering gas-powered-only muscle automobiles.

Despite the flagship 2024 Charger being the all-electric Daytona, the utterly redesigned muscle automotive will probably be constructed on what Dodge’s model boss Tim Kuniskis calls a “multi-energy platform”. This new platform from the Detroit-based model has the potential to take the Charger to all-new heights, setting the usual for years to come back.

Introducing A PHEV Charger

One of essentially the most notable takeaways from the 2024 Charger Daytona’s reveal was the announcement of the combustion engine’s return for the nameplate, which is slated to start manufacturing in 2025 in each coupe and sedan varieties and can drop the Daytona badge.

The gas-powered fashions will characteristic the new Stellanis’ inline-six Hurricane engine. As effectively as the joy of the gas-powered Charger making a return, it units the stage for one more model of the Charger to be launched, a plug-in hybrid. It undoubtedly will not come as a shock if Dodge extracts as a lot potential from the Charger’s new platform, with the mannequin carrying the muscle automotive banner alone, with Kuniskis having no short-term plans for the equally iconic Challenger nameplate.

Embracing Electrification

Compared to different producers, Dodge in addition to different Stellanis-owned manufacturers have taken extra time to adapt to the business shifting to electrical energy, as a result of threat of shedding prospects with the potential steep worth will increase for his or her fashions. In latest years, gentle hybrid methods have been rolled out in automobiles such because the Ram 1500 pickup truck, however the know-how by no means managed to seek out its means into the high-performance muscle automobiles over at Dodge.

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Dodge)

Now with the all-new multi-energy platform permitting for each fuel energy and electrical energy (or a mixture of each), the center floor between the 2 has grow to be a more likely actuality. When requested concerning the potential of hybrid variants of the Charger, Charger chief engineer Audrey Moore says “Anything is possible”, and quite a few insiders imagine that a number of PHEV Chargers is a possible route for Dodge to take.

The Benefits Of A PHEV Charger

Now that plug-in hybrid automobiles have gotten more and more common selections for consumers throughout the globe, the advantages that this kind of hybrid system can carry are clear. The most evident profit is the improved gasoline financial system in comparison with gas-powered automobiles, resulting in a way more inexpensive choice in the long term. However, when combined with the performance of the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six, the potential that PHEV will get all of the extra attractive.

Becoming One Of The Most Powerful Chargers In History

The uncooked energy of the V-8s which have been below the hoods of the Chargers to date is a key purpose as to why the mannequin is cherished by so many. While the gas-powered 2025 Chargers will probably be fitted with on of two variants of the inline-six Hurricane engine that produces 550 horsepower at the moment, combining PHEV know-how with the Hurricane engine champions doubtlessly extraordinary energy.

Despite the inline-six Hurricane engine not having been hybridized, the ZF eight-speed computerized transmission current on the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Cherokee 4xe is claimed to be available to hyperlink up with the Hurricane engine. These two fashions are actually the best-selling PHEV models on the US market, which is certain to encourage these over at Dodge.

While this mixture has the potential to supply as much as a staggering 700 horsepower, a PHEV Dodge Charger most probably would not be essentially the most highly effective new variant. That honor is anticipated to be given to the Charger Daytona Banshee, an all-electric mannequin designed to harness all of the capabilities of Dodge’s new electrical motors on an 800-volt system. To evaluate, the 2024 electrical Daytona fashions (utilizing a 400-volt system) will produce 496 horsepower for the R/T model, and 670 horsepower via their two electrical motors.

Updating The Charger For Efficiency And Practicality

As effectively as providing traditional Charger energy, a PHEV variant opens the door for the Charger to be much more sensible and usable than ever earlier than. With the huge V-8s, fashionable Chargers devour their fair proportion of fuel, although not essentially an extortionate quantity contemplating the automotive’s dimension. However, having hybrid know-how available has to means to chop prices, even with a smaller inline-six offering the fuel energy.

Having the power to run solely on electrical energy for shorter journeys and in city environments may even introduce a degree of practicality and effectivity to the Charger, with out sacrificing any of the ability that so many want from the Charger nameplate.

With many nonetheless hesitant to make the full jump over from a combustion engine to an EV, a PHEV is the right center floor for consumers to be launched to the advantages of hybrid know-how whereas holding onto the thrilling efficiency that gas-powered Chargers have offered for thus a few years.

PHEV Success Elsewhere In The Industry

Although the vast majority of the best-selling plug-in hybrids are discovered within the SUV or sedan class, a couple of producers have utilized the know-how to their efficiency automobiles. The end result has been the manufacturing of a number of the strongest and excessive highway automobiles ever made. One of essentially the most notable plug-in hybrid achievements is the Ferrari SF90, which manages to supply 986 horsepower with its 4.0-liter V-8 and three electrical motors mixed.

Despite a Dodge Charger PHEV greater than doubtless being designed with a special philosophy, the staggering advantages of the extra electrical energy for automobiles just like the SF90 trace in direction of the potential it might present to a muscle automotive. In the early 2010s particularly, by way of know-how, muscle automobiles weren’t far behind the sports activities/supercars of Europe however have been beginning to fall behind with the rise of EVs. Dodge now has the chance to carry the muscle phase proper again to the highest of the business for pioneering generational efficiency, in a means solely muscle automobiles can.

Honoring The Legacy Of The Charger Nameplate

Considering that Dodge hasn’t unveiled any official plans to supply a plug-in hybrid variant of the revamped Charger, it is protected to say that the potential mannequin will not be seen till 2026 on the earliest. There was a good quantity of debate about whether or not the essence of the Charger can be retained after transitioning to all-electric energy. But now Dodge has introduced that two gas-powered variants are on the best way, this worry has been settled for essentially the most half.

However, by combining both gas and electric power, a PHEV has the potential to enchantment to the widest market potential. Not solely contemplating the rise in recognition of PHEVs within the States, which Dodge’s sister firm in Jeep presently spearheads, it will possibly introduce an array of electrified advantages to the combustion engine lovers who do not wish to lose the legendary spirit of the Charger.

A PHEV variant additionally additional takes the Charger to new territory, being the first-ever plug-in hybrid muscle in addition to the primary fully-electric mannequin within the phase. With opponents equivalent to Ford sticking with the V-8 within the ’24 Mustang and Chevrolet ending manufacturing of the Camaro, Dodge has the potential to actually stand head above shoulders with a Charger outfitted for each efficiency and effectivity.