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2024 Dodge Charger EV: Everything Confirmed So Far

Summary

  • Dodge is introducing an all-electric Charger, making it one of many solely muscle EVs in the marketplace. The model is redefining what it means to be a muscle automotive.
  • The Charger EV will supply totally different trim choices and the flexibility to improve horsepower. Dodge is holding efficiency enhancements in-house and is devoted to its EV fashions.
  • The Charger EV is anticipated to have a powerful vary of round 500 miles. While vary nervousness is a priority for electrical vehicles, Dodge appears to have addressed it with a large battery pack.

It’s straightforward to imagine that the age of muscle cars is coming to an finish as electrification takes maintain and automakers are pressured to ditch the interior combustion engine. For on a regular basis vehicles, pickup vehicles, and SUVs, electrification isn’t that huge a deal so long as we are able to get previous vary nervousness, charging occasions, and sticker costs. When it involves sports activities vehicles and muscle vehicles, however, there aren’t too many lovers on the market who’re head over heels in love with the concept of ditching gas, hearth, and burbly exhaust for electrons, charging cables, and faux engine noise.

Dodge, nonetheless, sat down and evaluated the query: What is a muscle automotive? Is it the muscular look? Is it the fuel-gulping V-8 beneath the hood, or is it the noise that bellows out of the rear finish as you rip away from a cease gentle such as you’ve obtained someplace to be with out a care on the planet? That’s a tricky query to reply, and any muscle automotive fanatic will in all probability offer you a barely totally different reply that features not less than one thing from that checklist. With the all-electric Charger soon hitting North American roadways, Dodge is setting itself as much as supply one of many ONLY muscle EVs. We have confirmed specs you will need to stick round for: So maintain studying!

Updated on seventh February 2024: This put up has been refreshed with new data concerning the 2025 Dodge Charger EV, together with confirmed battery specs, vary, horsepower, pricing, and its official debut – March fifth, 2024. As Dodge’s first dive into electrical muscle automotive manufacturing, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how this mannequin fares out as soon as it hits the market. If you are into an electrical, but hyper-fast car for subsequent yr, the Charger EV might be the right improve.

In order to provide the most modern and correct data attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Dodge and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver and Motor Trend.

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Here’s Our First Official Glimpse Of The 2025 Dodge Charger EV

It’s been fairly a while since Dodge revealed the Charger EV Concept, however we lastly have official ‘first look’ photographs of the pre-production mannequin.

The Dodge Charger EV Is A First For The Iconic Brand

The all-electric Dodge Charger hits roadways in 2025 throughout North America. This comes as a serious shift in model id for Dodge, because the Charger EV can be its first time coming into the section. What we all know is that this mannequin will boast an electrical powertrain possibility alongside conventional gas-fed engines.

You additionally see issues like a unibody chassis and a flat, high-performance battery with a 100-110 kWh capability. That battery sizing will give you 440-590 horsepower, which is bound to be enjoyable on the highway. The thought behind the all-electric model of Charger was to offer folks the identical attractive automotive, minus the necessity for a visit to the fuel station.

As it seems, there can be two totally different trim lessons: Charger 340 and Charger 440. In its very base type, the Charger EV can be good for 440 horsepower. Thanks to what Dodge is asking “eStage kits,” you’ll have the ability to purchase extra horsepower over the air, obtain the software program, and set up it to the automotive. You’ll obtain a “DC Crystal Key” and Fender badges after ordering, with the previous getting used to authenticate the improve and unlock the ability.

  • Trim choices: 340 and 440 (there’ll solely be two as of now)

Understanding Dodge’s Horsepower Plan

Dodge DC eStange Kit Horsepower Upgrade
Dodge

The similar deal goes for the Charger 440, which begins out at 590 horsepower. The DC Stage 1 package pushes whole system output to 630 horsepower whereas the DC Stage 2 package bumps you as much as 670 horsepower. But, we’re leaving an period the place Dodge was extracting way more horsepower than that from a V-8 engine, with vehicles just like the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 being able to producing as a lot as 1,025 horsepower.

The resolution to that downside is the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee. Unlike the opposite fashions that we’ve mentioned right here, the Banshee will run on an 800-volt structure versus the 400-volt setup. Like the lesser fashions, there can be a base mannequin Banshee and the flexibility to put in two totally different upgrades. How a lot energy the Banshee has from the manufacturing unit is a thriller, as is how a lot horsepower the DC kits will add to the combination.

It would make sense, contemplating the 440 DC Stage 2 tops out at 670 horsepower. Then once more, the distinction between the 349 DC2 and base stage 440 is 65 horsepower, so the Banshee might go nicely past 707 horsepower on the base stage.

These figures are literally excellent news, as Dodge is seeking to maintain all efficiency enhancements to its future electrical automobiles beneath its roof. That’s proper, Dodge has already vowed to not give tuners entry to its EV fashions, which might be the place that distinctive DC Crystal key” verification system comes into play.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT 340

Charger 440

Charger Daytona SRT Banshee

Electrical System

400-Volt System

400-Volt System

800-Volt System

Power Output

455 Horsepower

590 Horsepower

750 Horsepower (est)

DC Stage 1 Upgrade

495 Horsepower

630 Horsepower

800 Horsepower (est)

DC Stage 2 Upgrade

535 Horsepower

670 Horsepower

900 Horsepower (est)

Table knowledge sourced from Dodge

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The Charger EV’s Range Might Not Be An Issue

2025 Dodge Charger EV
Dodge

The 2024 Dodge Charger EV will trip on Stellantis’ new STLA platform. Well, to be clear, the STLA is definitely a variety of platforms, and the Charger EV will trip on the STLA Large model. This model of the STLA platform is able to supporting battery sizes starting from 101-118 kWh, which suggests Dodge could extract as much as 500 miles of range with the fitting weight optimization and the largest battery.

2025 Dodge Charger EV Specs

Motor

Dual or Tri-motor setup

Horsepower

455-590 horses

Torque

TBD

Driveline

AWD

Battery

100-118 kWh

Range

~500 miles

Table knowledge sourced from Dodge

Not The Longest, But Definitely Impressive

The Lucid Air, for instance, has a 112-kWh battery pack and dishes out just shy of 520 miles of range on a single cost. We’re but to get official numbers, however Dodge has hinted at 500 miles, which makes it one of many longest-range EVs. It’s worth mentioning that *most* EVs currently go ~300 miles if that.

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You Might Not Miss The V-8 As Much As You Think

Official 2025 Dodge Charger EV
Dodge

As an fanatic myself, I are likely to lean extra to the facet that isn’t precisely pleased that high-performance engines are going away. It could also be a necessity, however there’s one thing concerning the nature of an engine that actually does really feel prefer it’s the guts or soul of a automotive. With electrical vehicles, regardless of driving a minimum of seven totally different fashions, I’ve by no means gotten the identical feeling. Unfortunately, it is going to in all probability be the identical deal because the Dodge Charger EV.

However, Dodge is taking a route that has been considerably controversial up to now: sound synthesizing. It received’t be as ridiculous as you may suppose, although, as we’re speaking about one thing known as a Fratzzonic Chambered Exhaust System that can emit a 126-decibel roar that’s practically equivalent to that of the Hemi V-8. While it received’t probably be pretty much as good as the actual factor, with an open thoughts, it won’t be that unhealthy of a technique to take care of the transition to electrical vehicles.

  • Sound theatrics accessible: Dodge will recreate the V-8 audio inside the electrical model.

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The Dodge Charger EV Is Debuting On fifth March 2024

Dodge 2025 Charger Exterior
Dodge

Considering the truth that all we’ve seen to date are idea vehicles, there’s no official knowledge on pricing. It’s been greater than a yr since the Charger SRT Concept was revealed, and at last, the automaker has introduced its official launch date – fifth of March, 2024. An electrical muscle automotive has not likely been accomplished, so Dodge is starting this chapter alone, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the way it manages to copy the texture of an ICE-powered muscle automotive.

This car has at all times been a promoting level for Dodge, so an electrical model alongside its gas-powered nameplate is a pleasant technique to increase the client base. Of course, we’ll should see the Dodge Charger EV in motion earlier than making any official statements on that. Something may look good on paper, solely to fall brief IRL.

The Real Story Of The 1970 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost

Summary

  • Dodge bids farewell to gas-powered performance cars with limited edition “Last Call” models celebrating the Challenger and Charger’s history. Includes nods to classic Darts and Chargers.
  • The 2023 Challenger Black Ghost pays homage to Godfrey Qualls, a legendary street racer who dominated Detroit’s street racing scene in a black ’70 Challenger.
  • The Black Ghost disappeared in 1975 when Qualls became too busy due to his role as a police officer. The 2023 Challenger Black Ghost is a tribute with updated specs.

As Dodge has left the gas-powered performance business in 2023, they bid farewell to the Challenger and Charger with a series of limited edition “Last Call” models that celebrate the iconic muscle car’s history. The Demon 170 and Swinger are nods to the classic track-ready Darts of the ’60s and ’70s, while the King Daytona and Super Bee pay homage to the memorable classic Charger variants. Then, there is the Black Ghost, which isn’t so much about Dodge history as it is, history made in a Dodge.

The 2023 Challenger Black Ghost honors a 1970 Challenger driven by legendary street racer, Godfrey Qualls. He didn’t name the car Black Ghost, his opponents did, because he would blow their doors off and then disappear into the night like a Hemi-powered phantom. The mystery of this unbeatable Challenger only grew, because Qualls would disappear for weeks or months on end, only to show up again to smoke any who dared to line up against him. Then, he disappeared for good, with nobody knowing what happened to him or that amazing car.

Now that Dodge has honored the Black Ghost as one of their Last Call muscle cars, there is renewed interest in what became in essence an urban legend in the Detroit street racing scene. Godfrey Qualls was a real person who really did dominate the streets in a black ’70 Challenger and his story is actually more interesting than the myth.

RELATED: Dodge To Mark The End Of Its V-8 Era With Final “Last Call” Model Unveiling At Las Vegas Celebration

The Legend Of The Black Ghost

The Wraith Of Woodward Ave.

Black Ghost on the street
Gregory Qualls/Dodge Garage

Woodward Avenue runs 24 miles from Detroit to Pontiac and was the main cruising strip back in the 1960’s. Lined with diners and drive-in theaters, it was also the main hang-out spot, especially for people with hot rods and cool rides. Naturally, when there are that many souped-up machines in one place the owners were going to want to compare them, and the most logical way was with a street race. Hagerty tells us that in the late ’60s and into the ’70s, Woodward Avenue was the center of Detroit’s street racing scene and the heart of its car culture.

“On a Saturday night we used to sit on the grass north of Hunter going Northbound on Woodward. The racing was as good as you could see at any drag strip” – street racing legend, Mike Koran.

It was on Woodward, also known as Michigan 1, where in the spring of 1970 a black Challenger, that was loud as thunder, started showing up to destroy any and all takers. None of the local racers knew who was driving this unmatched Mopar, and it gave them an eerie vibe because after winning a race, it would vanish into the darkness. It didn’t take long for locals to start referring to the mystery Challenger as the “Black Ghost.”

Weekends would come and go with no sighting of the Black Ghost, and then it would suddenly appear with a roar to take money and pride from owners of lesser Camaros and Mustangs. For years, this car couldn’t be beat and the real mystery is why people continued to line up against it, but egos often cloud the reality of a situation. As suddenly as it came, the black Challenger disappeared for good in 1975, becoming a ghost story hot rodders would tell around an open engine bay for decades.

RELATED: 10 Best Classic 13-Second Muscle Cars

The Man Behind The Legend

Ghost Rider Godfrey Quall

On December 5, 1969, Detroit resident, Godfrey Qualls took delivery on a black 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE. It was just one of 22 equipped with a 426ci Hemi engine and a four-speed transmission. Qualls had ordered it with a plain black vinyl roof, but it mistakenly came with the gator skin pattern, which he wasn’t in love with, but learned to live with. Making a few modifications, this factory Mopar would become the legendary Black Ghost.

Hot rodding began with the GIs returning from WWII, who took their mechanical know-how and daring spirit, turning it into a thrilling hobby. Street racing grew out of that and was perpetuated in large part by ex-military guys like Godfrey Quall. Drafted into the Vietnam War in 1964, Quall served with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, earning a Purple Heart after being wounded by a grenade.

In the mid-1970s, he joined the Army National Guard, where he earned a Green Beret with the Special Forces and served until 2002. This is the actual explanation for why the Black Ghost disappeared in 1975, and it’s because Qualls was too busy on the weekends to race.

resize_2266043_2
Mecum

As for why the Black Ghost was an infrequent race participant, the explanation is as good of a twist as any M. Night Shyamalan ghost story. Godfrey Qualls was a Detroit Police motorcycle traffic enforcement officer. One of the most notorious street racers was also a traffic cop.

It has been speculated that Qualls wasn’t out every weekend racing, because he knew when the cops were going to crack down. That, combined with the fact that he would have most certainly been fired if he was busted drag racing is probably why he was only out when he knew it was safe. By the way, he never got caught by either the cops or any of the other racers.

RELATED: The Legendary 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T SE “Black Ghost” Is A Street Racing Icon

Black Ghost Vs. Black Ghost

Legendary Match-up

Black 2023 Dodge Challenger
Dodge

Godfrey Quall’s 1970 Challenger came with the 426ci and the four-speed, but it also had the Super Track Pack which added the Dana 60 rear differential with 4.10 gears and Sure-Grip. He made a few mods himself, pulling off the muffler, which is why it sounded like the world was coming to an end when he rolled up. Additionally, he put in an aftermarket ignition coil and took off the factory rear tires, replacing them with some sticky drag slicks.

According to the Dodge website, the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost Last Call model is an SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody, which means it has a Supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. To make it a proper Black Ghost tribute car, Dodge added the Scat Pack bumblebee stripe on the back and recreated the gator skin roof that Qualls wasn’t thrilled with. Curiously missing are the African flag decals on the fender.

Ghost Tales Of The Tape: Dodge Black Ghost Spec Comparison

1970 Challenger R/T SE

2023 Challenger Black Ghost

Engine

426ci Hemi V-8

6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V-8

Engine Output

425 hp, 490 lb-ft of torque

807 hp, 707 lb-ft of torque

Transmission

Four-speed manual

Eight-speed automatic

0-60 Time

5.4 seconds

3.7 seconds

Quarter-mile

12.78 seconds

11.5 seconds

Top Speed

117 mph

200 mph

In a theoretical match between the two Black Ghosts, clearly, the 2023 tribute car would win as it has nearly twice the horsepower of the original. Yes, Quall’s modification probably added a few ponies to the Hemi, but not nearly enough to match a Hellcat. However, if this fictitious race were to feature 1970-era Godfrey Quall behind the wheel of the original and the 2023 tribute was being helmed by an over-privileged doofus who bought one as an investment, the OG Black Ghost would dominate.

RELATED: The Fastest Muscle Cars Of 2023

The Black Ghost Lives On

Where Are They Now?

3/4 rear shot of Black Ghost
Mecum

Sadly, Godfret Qualls passed away in 2015, but as Dodge Garage reports, he did pass the Black Ghost on to his son, Gregory. After the Challenger sat in the family’s garage for decades, having last been registered in 1976, Gregory brought it back to life to honor his legendary father. He kept it exactly as it was, except for removing the racing slicks for some era-correct tires. Amazingly, the car only had 45,544 miles on it, but then again it was originally used a quarter-mile at a time.

2023 Challenger Black Ghost Facts

  • Black Ghost Last Call limited to 300 units
  • The Black Ghost was six of seven Last Call Dodge muscle cars
  • MSRP $103,010

Gregory recounted a story from his youth when his dad took him out in the Black Ghost. Godfrey slapped a 100-dollar bill on the dash and told his son if he could snatch it while he was launching off the line, he could keep it. Obviously, those Gs kept Gregory from a big payday, but that memory is priceless. The Black Ghost car however did have a price, selling at a Mecum auction for $975,000. The car may not be in the family any longer, but it’s legacy lives on as both an addition to the National Historic Vehicle Registry and as a 2023 Dodge Last Call tribute.