Dodge Charger Chief Engineer Discusses New Electric Daytona

The all-new, all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona coupe is almost here. Being the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Dodge brand, the Charger Daytona has a lot on riding it. Not only does it push the Charger nameplate into the future, but it also does so with a HEMI® V8 engine. The modern-day Charger has continued to have V8 power as a key part of its performance muscle car formula since 2005. However, this new one will launch exclusively with an electrified powertrain. This move has caused a lot of pushback from loyal Dodge fans. The Detroit Free Press sat … (read full article...)

 

[bill burke]

This lady has a tough challenge on her agenda, but if managed honestly, facing the facts heads up, it can be accomplished.
As a Dodge Hemi Challenger owner I may represent what I believe is a sizable segment of the population that will determine her fate. Let’s look at my profile. I am deeply loyal to the Dodge brand, love it’s performance identity and am not interested in electric cars for myself personally, but can live with their existence at Dodge. I think the new Charger is more an elegantly styled performance coupe but not a true muscle car, which I too can live with going forward. I gravitate to the Six Pack but hope there will be enough Daytona buyers to justify its development and sale. Now she and Dodge has to focus on the Six Pack with every “muscle car” trick in the book to keep loyal Dodge buyers in the game. Paint colors, tires, wheels, bold decals and unique packages to build excitement. It must remain a bit outlandish, rouge.
The hardest part is getting Dodge in racing in a more aggressive and visible way and that includes NASCAR and NHRA. That can work if they stuff a V-8 into the new Charger which I am sure the ruling bodies will accept to get and keep Dodge in the racing game. Hey they bent the rules for Toyota. A limited production run of Hemi Drag Packs and Stock Eliminator factory sponsored Hurricane Six Chargers should be built and campaigned. And build a spec NASCAR race car just like Toyota. Why not? That means big bucks but to sustain the Dodge image, a necessity. Guys like me want to root for Dodge, feel cool in a Dodge, be noticed as a rebel and unless the money is made available to make that happen, this poor women will be a memory along with Dodge. That would be a sad day for guys like me. Tough but doable if you face facts honestly and put the electric agenda on the back burner. That might take some guts too.

 

[patfromigh]

The E-body cars were late to the pony car party and the 1974 full sized cars had horrendous timing. This Dodge EV beats all of that hands down.

 

[Moparound]

Am a glass half-full guy, but this situation appears to be a dream that will morph into a nightmare.
Am not against change(good change) and/or taking risks, but failure to test and taking a ram it down the consumer's throats is pure failure in action. The ENERGY technology is just not there, yet.
Maybe we need to research spring wind-up technology next and put baseball cards on the wheel's spokes?

 

[TripleT]

Am a glass half-full guy, but this situation appears to be a dream that will morph into a nightmare.
Am not against change(good change) and/or taking risks, but failure to test and taking a ram it down the consumer's throats is pure failure in action. The ENERGY technology is just not there, yet.
Maybe we need to research spring wind-up technology next and put baseball cards on the wheel's spokes?

I don't think you get it. This is not the OEMs ramming it down anyone throats. It is the municipalities. OEMs are just trying to have compliant products ramped up that they can sell by 28'

Before you go "NO NO NO it not 28' its 35'" well yes and No .... the outright Ban don't happen until 35' but the punitive fines start in 28'. This isn't the EPA while they are piling on, it is the CARB state in the USA. THAT IS OVER HALF THE POPULATION. And this is settled law all the way up to the Supreme Court they can set their own standards. Thanks federalism and founding fathers.

Then you will say Charging network... True. Then your will say energy sector and Supply.... True Also. Then you will say rare earth metals....... Yes Sir. Then you will say Consumer acceptance........ OH FOR SURE.

THEY DON"T CARE ..... they are perfectly fine with us peasants having to walk. They certainly embrace the control. Consumers not buying what they are mandating IS NOT a problem to them. To them people shouldn't even own car, and if they are not walking or riding a bike they should be on public transport, not personal transport.

So is this a disaster for those who in CARB states the want personal transport.... YES SIR.... now the OEM are coming around, PHEV whether ICE or EV bias is the immediate future of those in Free States.

 

[Moparound]

My post, while on this forum was not fully directed on the company itself but moreso where you went, and, yes, to a degree the folks that are rolling over abroad and am worried within Stellantis.
I consider it(the current absurd 'electric movement') oppression.
I agree with everything you stated except one thing you might have overlooked and that is to mention the C.E.O. overseas making the decisions for our favorite company. Sorry, but I disagree with some of his decisions...... and I understand he is bound by certain U.S. standards being imposed to sell vehicles here. Is anyone sitting down to discuss the matter now or are the talks done and we're on cruise-control?
May I ask who within the company is fighting against this 'electrical movement'? Maybe some might roll-over and consider too late. Yes, I am venting towards the whole mess. I didn't ask for this, I do I want it, I didn't vote for it.
I'm not against MOPAR, I am FOR it. As am sure you and many others are.
My wish would be to hit 'pause' on this electrical craze and wait until we can develop a better source of energy to the motors in B.E.V.'s, OR, find yet a better solution. Are there areas that need and/or could use B.E.V.'s sure, but not EVERYWHERE.
To take what we can get attitude is just not good enough.
Unfortunately, am fearful where we're heading is pain and suffering; like you stated over half the population is propagating the matter. This matter seems to make some feel part of a 'feel-good-movement'.
Without going to far on comments, I'll leave it here: 'We are just one generation away from extinction.'

 

[patfromigh]

A company has to offer something battery electric to stay in the game. Even Toyota and Honda are saying battery electric will be around 30% of the market.

My problem with the Charger is that it is a "me too" reaction to where the market has been for only a very brief while. The six pack alternative won't work unless there's a pushback against CARB. The Feds are being sued by 25 states to back off. The states which signed onto to the CARB mandates don't get the chance to say no because then it's a state's choice. The courts will simply say go woke and go broke.

The thing is, huge battery packs and long range are not written into the law and certainly not pavement smashing weight. The electric Daytons is a quarter horse. Cut the battery pack to a 200 mile or even 150 mile range. If Stellantis really wants to move the metal, offer a quarter mile special Daytona that can be charged at the track by a Ramcharger.

If the government is forcing auto companies to build EVs, those companies should at least build EVs that people want to buy.

 

[TripleT]

My post, while on this forum was not fully directed on the company itself but moreso where you went, and, yes, to a degree the folks that are rolling over abroad and am worried within Stellantis.
I consider it(the current absurd 'electric movement') oppression.
I agree with everything you stated except one thing you might have overlooked and that is to mention the C.E.O. overseas making the decisions for our favorite company. Sorry, but I disagree with some of his decisions...... and I understand he is bound by certain U.S. standards being imposed to sell vehicles here. Is anyone sitting down to discuss the matter now or are the talks done and we're on cruise-control?
May I ask who within the company is fighting against this 'electrical movement'? Maybe some might roll-over and consider too late. Yes, I am venting towards the whole mess. I didn't ask for this, I do I want it, I didn't vote for it.
I'm not against MOPAR, I am FOR it. As am sure you and many others are.
My wish would be to hit 'pause' on this electrical craze and wait until we can develop a better source of energy to the motors in B.E.V.'s, OR, find yet a better solution. Are there areas that need and/or could use B.E.V.'s sure, but not EVERYWHERE.
To take what we can get attitude is just not good enough.
Unfortunately, am fearful where we're heading is pain and suffering; like you stated over half the population is propagating the matter. This matter seems to make some feel part of a 'feel-good-movement'.
Without going to far on comments, I'll leave it here: 'We are just one generation away from extinction.'

While wandering into Xenophobia…. You still seem not to grasp the regulatory realities. A full half of the population has handed off their own market decisions to their state governments. And to this point there has been no reprise.

Without BEV as full implementation by 28’ CDJR is out of business in the 18 most populous states,

There in no pause in that.

 

[T/A392]

Hopefully Hemi R&D restarts if Trump returns to office and reverses all this Biden green madness.

 

[TripleT]

R&D went into a superior powerplant and it is launched. Usually we would be excited but since it they didn't call it Hemi and made a more powerful smoother configuration people can't move on to it.

Trump can’t do squat it is settled law. CARB states are allowed to set their own standards, he can only affect the federal standards.

 

[patfromigh]

The people making the federal rules are unelected bureaucrats. The states fighting the zero emissions mandates from the EPA have a very long road ahead of them. Every automaker has to deal with the present reality on their plates. Stellantis executives stuck their heads out with their STLA platform scheme. It wasn't spelled out in the regulations, but it was highly suggested that new platforms are supposed to be the battery skateboard design, not the plug and play battery electric, ICE, or hybrid platforms Stellantis presented.

 

[noev4me]

The all-new, all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona coupe is almost here. Being the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the Dodge brand, the Charger Daytona has a lot on riding it. Not only does it push the Charger nameplate into the future, but it also does so with a HEMI® V8 engine. The modern-day Charger has continued to have V8 power as a key part of its performance muscle car formula since 2005. However, this new one will launch exclusively with an electrified powertrain. This move has caused a lot of pushback from loyal Dodge fans. The Detroit Free Press sat … (read full article...)


View attachment 9474

Hello, lead balloon. A 3 ton expensive non-muscle car. 2025 will be better with the Hurricane and RWD option.

 

[TripleT]

So what is a muscle car? Only V8 cars? Not Electric. A Plaid or Lucid isn't one? Just fast and quick... they are cars, they are fast, they will run head to head with Demon or Hemis from the 60's. Only ICE cars, what about Hybrids.

We seem to be painting ourselves into corners on this one.

 

[noev4me]

This lady has a tough challenge on her agenda, but if managed honestly, facing the facts heads up, it can be accomplished.
As a Dodge Hemi Challenger owner I may represent what I believe is a sizable segment of the population that will determine her fate. Let’s look at my profile. I am deeply loyal to the Dodge brand, love it’s performance identity and am not interested in electric cars for myself personally, but can live with their existence at Dodge. I think the new Charger is more an elegantly styled performance coupe but not a true muscle car, which I too can live with going forward. I gravitate to the Six Pack but hope there will be enough Daytona buyers to justify its development and sale. Now she and Dodge has to focus on the Six Pack with every “muscle car” trick in the book to keep loyal Dodge buyers in the game. Paint colors, tires, wheels, bold decals and unique packages to build excitement. It must remain a bit outlandish, rouge.
The hardest part is getting Dodge in racing in a more aggressive and visible way and that includes NASCAR and NHRA. That can work if they stuff a V-8 into the new Charger which I am sure the ruling bodies will accept to get and keep Dodge in the racing game. Hey they bent the rules for Toyota. A limited production run of Hemi Drag Packs and Stock Eliminator factory sponsored Hurricane Six Chargers should be built and campaigned. And build a spec NASCAR race car just like Toyota. Why not? That means big bucks but to sustain the Dodge image, a necessity. Guys like me want to root for Dodge, feel cool in a Dodge, be noticed as a rebel and unless the money is made available to make that happen, this poor women will be a memory along with Dodge. That would be a sad day for guys like me. Tough but doable if you face facts honestly and put the electric agenda on the back burner. That might take some guts too.

I'm in the same boat. She needs to recognize the demographic and why people like us bought Chargers and Challengers. It wasn't to experience fake exhaust sound. Maybe Gen Z wiil buy this expensive toy for its looks (it does look nice). I have two Challengers and hope to buy a third and that will be a Hemi where my $$ will go.

 

[noev4me]

So what is a muscle car? Only V8 cars? Not Electric. A Plaid or Lucid isn't one? Just fast and quick... they are cars, they are fast, they will run head to head with Demon or Hemis from the 60's. Only ICE cars, what about Hybrids.

We seem to be painting ourselves into corners on this one.

Yes, dino fuels = muscle cars. But yes, anyone is free to get out to the drag strip. Call me when NASCAR has an all EV race. LOL

 

[noev4me]

Yes, dino fuels = muscle cars. But yes, anyone is free to get out to the drag strip. Call me when NASCAR has an all EV race. LOL

Frankly, when anyone looks to cars in the 2024 Daytona class they should look at NASCAR. Yep, those are muscle cars and refer to their lineage. Can you see their audience going for phony car sounds? What's next, classes on how to make "vroom, vroom" sounds while you drive with the window open? That Hurricane is a tech marvel and wait until people that like to tinker get a hold of it. Goodbye battery.

 

[TripleT]

I'm in the same boat. She needs to recognize the demographic and why people like us bought Chargers and Challengers. It wasn't to experience fake exhaust sound. Maybe Gen Z wiil buy this expensive toy for its looks (it does look nice). I have two Challengers and hope to buy a third and that will be a Hemi where my $$ will go.

That is false comparison. Amazingly active brand new member.

It not only looks nice, across the board it will be Quicker than any Charger and Challenger ever built, and heavier. Each Level will be faster than the outgoing model ICE model.

Like I keep saying this is the only viable option to offer a "Muscle Car" in the 18 most populus states that are part of CARB. Should they really just go out of business to half the countries population.

AND NO.... NiceCar is not the definition of a Muscle car.... 1.4 mile cars were.

Dino didn't make oil or natural gas they are plentiful in other parts in our own solar system.

The Hurricane is incredible and will be a blast in the Free part of the Country at nearly 200 HP per liter and 300 hp per liter on the way, it is a worthy successor to the 3rd gen Hemi engines.

I hope a Shorter Challenger will be on the way. The 2 door Charger shares all the stamping with the 4 on the primary body, it is pretty good trick, but a Challenger should follow.

 

[TripleT]

DId we miss that she may have slipped... NEW Charger and Challenger.

“I got this wonderful job to work on the next-generation Charger and Challenger, so that brought me into a whole different world of muscle cars and people who love horsepower and drifts and doughnuts and all sorts of things that Jeep people do not do,” she told the Detroit Free Press.

 

[patfromigh]

I am beginning to enjoy the sounds my hybrid makes. in addition of the note of the IC engine, when taking off from a stop the electric motor winding up against the gears makes a pleasant mechanical sound as well. The proposed fake sounds in the electric Daytona will rob people of such moments. People might miss the note of the ICE, but those who sign on will get a robot companion if they are paying attention.

NASCAR would be a perfect venue for EV racing. The cars are already phony, so any phony sounds will just add to it. They could put those electrified chainlink grids over the oval tracks, like the setup the dodgem (bumper) cars use at amusement parks. What great nonstop action!!

Dodgem Bumper Car — Audrain Auto Museum

Invented by a pair of brothers in Massachusetts, the earliest Dodgem vehicles were round with a small seat and a steering wheel at the end of a long column sticking up from the front of the vehicle. The ride quickly became a success, despite its problems. For example, steering was counter-

www.audrainautomuseum.org

I'm waiting for the technology to allow for a street/strip version of the electric Daytona. Cut down the battery pack to 100 mile range, use the latest 800V motors, and make up the range loss with a swappable battery pack. Run with battery pack out for lightweight performance, put one back in for everyday driving.

 

[TripleT]

It wouldn't be that hard to divide the Cell and have it drop out. Might be bit iffy for the exposed contacts, that would have to be worked out. The potential energy is substaintial.