Dodge enthusiasts have been expressing their frustration with the lack of information from the Auburn Hills-based automaker regarding the next-generation Dodge Charger Daytona (LB). The buzz around the new electric “e-muscle” car was initially high when it was unveiled in August 2022 during the Dodge Speed Weeks event, just before the 2022 Woodward Dream Cruise. At that time, it seemed Dodge was eager to share details, but that enthusiasm waned after last year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) event.
At SEMA, Dodge did reveal some key information about the Charger Daytona’s electric powertrains. There would be two options: a standard 400-volt system and a high-performance 800-volt “Banshee” system. Dodge also disclosed the names and horsepower figures for the standard 400-volt models. The entry-level version, known as the Dodge Charger Daytona 340, derived its name from its power output—340 kilowatts (kW), equivalent to 456 horsepower. A more potent Charger Daytona 440 was to be the next choice for those seeking even more power, producing 440 kW (590 horsepower) on the 400-volt architecture. Both trims were open to further upgrades to eStage 1 at 370 kW (495 horsepower) and 470 kW (630 horsepower), and eStage 2 at 400 kW (535 horsepower) and 500 kW (670 horsepower) with Mopar’s Direct Connection catalog and a new set of special “Crystals” coded from Direct Connection to unlock the full potential of the car’s electrical propulsion systems.
However, the information flow seemed to halt after SEMA, despite the Charger Daytona concept appearing at various events. During the press days at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the Charger Daytona concept was notably lonely on the Dodge display, indicating a growing lack of attention among fans eagerly waiting for more exciting updates.
Fast forward to the present, and three leaked photographs of what appear to be three Dodge Charger Daytona bodies-in-white have surfaced on the LX & Beyond Nationals Facebook page. While the accompanying text did not offer new information, the images shed light on the upcoming model. The most significant surprise is that these body-in-white shells showcase a two-door design, confirming earlier insider rumors about the Charger Daytona’s four-door and two-door versions. Dodge has yet to respond to these images officially, but the prospect of a two-door Charger has sparked excitement among fans who’ve longed for such a model since the modern Charger’s debut in 2005.
The photos, seemingly taken inside the Windsor Assembly Plant where the new Charger Daytona will be produced, also reveal that the cars lack a rear shelf, indicating that the production models will adopt the concept car’s hatchback design, reminiscent of the original 1966 Dodge Charger.
Lastly, a visible transmission tunnel is a crucial detail in one of the images. Since Stellantis’ new electric drive modules (EDMs) combine the motor, gearbox, and inverter into a single unit in electric vehicles, the presence of a transmission tunnel suggests that the Charger Daytona may still feature an internal combustion engine (ICE). This confirms the potential availability of the twin-turbocharged HURRICANE I6 engines alongside the electric powertrains. Looking at these body-in-white shells, there’s ample space under the hood for a HEMI® engine. We are sure, enthusiasts are now pondering how they might fit a Direct Connection HEMI® crate motor under the hood as an alternative to the HURRICANE I6.
