It seems there is a great divide in the automotive community when it comes to the future of electrified vehicles (EVs). While some have embraced the move, many have questioned how the industry will try to separate their vehicles from the rest of the offerings on the market.
EVs have traditionally been designed in the wind tunnel, in order to achieve maximum efficiency to improve range. However, in a recent interview with FOX News, Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles explain how the ideology of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept is different compared to other EVs on the market.
“We’re trying to bring a whole generation of muscle car lovers along with us on this exciting new journey, but at the same time, I think, when they make that choice, finally, they do want the world to know, so it has to be different,” Gilles told FOX.
Inspired by the 1968 Dodge Charger, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept tries to be faithful to muscle car loyalists without succumbing to the norms of the EV world. For example, incorporated into its functional performance hood, the front patent-pending “R-Wing” holds true to the brand’s dramatic exterior themes while delivering an aerodynamically improved pass-through design.
“They’re happy that it doesn’t look like a jelly bean and part of that is the front end looking menacing still, a lot of character and celebrating the brand,” Gilles exclaimed. “That’s going to be our shtick. There’s a lot of other companies if you want to buy jelly beans, go get it. It ain’t going to come from us.”
Apart from the electrification aspect of the car, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept is also drastically different from the current car thanks to a new hatchback design. The design opens up even more cargo capability to the new e-muscle car. And despite its new functionality, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept retains the current car’s size.
“The hatchback was the result of aero, but also popular demand [as] a lot of people are migrating to UVs, so we’re like, if we can give them the utility of a UV, they can stay in their cars that they really do love,” Gilles stated.
He also went on to say that the design hasn’t been finalized just yet. So don’t expect the production car to be completely identical to the concept vehicle.
Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, has already mentioned that we will see another version of the Charger Daytona SRT Concept at this year’s Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.
That vehicle will showcase the direction that Direct Connection and will be offering various aftermarket solutions to future Dodge e-muscle car vehicles.
You can watch the entire interview by CLICKING HERE:
Source: FOX News
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