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How Does Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust Work?

It's Not A Speaker-Based System...

In a bid to cater to muscle car enthusiasts hesitant about the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), Dodge has unveiled its latest innovation: the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust technology. Departing from the standard practice of using speakers to mimic engine noise, Dodge’s approach involves a complex system of chambers and speakers designed to fine-tune the sound. While this move may be seen as a bold attempt to retain the essence of traditional muscle cars, it has also sparked considerable debate and skepticism within the automotive community.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept. (MoparInsiders).

The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust technology employs a series of chambers strategically placed underneath the Dodge Charger Daytona. These chambers, in conjunction with woofers and mid-range speakers, generate the “exhaust” notes, which are then channeled through dual pipes akin to those found in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The system utilizes a combination of digital sounds and basic filtering, with the emphasis on fine-tuning the sound in the acoustic domain rather than relying solely on digital manipulation. This approach, according to the patent filing, aims to create a more authentic auditory experience for drivers.

 

Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust patient. (USPTO).

To further enhance the illusion of a conventional muscle car experience, Dodge has incorporated “force generators” into the chassis. These devices are designed to transmit vibrations throughout the EV, intensifying in response to the driver’s inputs. The resulting tactile feedback is intended to be felt through the steering wheel and seats. Additionally, these force generators have the capability to generate their own sounds, adding another layer to the sensory experience.

Force Generators in the chassis patient. (USPTO).

While Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust technology may appeal to die-hard muscle car enthusiasts, it has not been without its share of criticisms. Many within the automotive community argue that this approach could potentially mislead consumers and undermine the essence of EVs, which are celebrated for their efficiency and environmental benefits. Some purists view this as an attempt to mask the true nature of electric propulsion.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept. (MoparInsiders).

Dodge has dedicated significant resources to refining the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. The automaker is well aware of the challenge in emulating the distinctive tone, to change the rumble of a modern-day small block V8. Despite their best efforts, the technology falls short of replicating the authentic sound that muscle car aficionados hold dear, at least in our opinion. We hope that changes once the Charger Daytona reaches production.

Video Source: InterUnetAutomotive

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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Definitely interesting to say the least. To be perfectly honest, the system works very similar to what a chambered muffler or like alot of high tech muffler systems do for the sound of a regular internal combustion engine. It takes a raw sound and then reshapes and tunes the sound via tubes and baffles and exits the sound out from the bell. Exhaust systems are technically speaking musical instruments anyway, no different than a woodwind or a brass class instrument as they take forced air through a tube and change sound via valves and by the force and direction the air is being forced through it as in the case of a bugle horn. This system is more of an electric pipe organ in a sense because it tunes the synthesized sound even further through pipes which do amplify and modify the raw sound of the particular note or notes being played. While calling it an exhaust system would be misleading, it's more of a sound system than anything. What that means is that current exhaust companies like Borla, Magnaflow, AWE, and others could actually create systems of their own with unique sound chambers and speakers and give vehicles like the Daytona Charger EV different sounds that may be deeper and or louder or have different styled bells at the end. For all those who don't know a Bell is what the sound emitting end of an instrument like a saxophone or trumpet is referred to as. Borla is already working on certain sound generating systems for EVs and a colaboration between Mopar and Borla might lead to a sound system that we may truly end up enjoying. As for the "Force Generators" it sounds to me to be something similar as a haptic feedback system similar to what is in modern day game controller. It's alot less gimicky once it's actually explained and it actually makes sense.
While I'm generally a fan of combustion engines, I don't mind the thought of EVs and I like the ideas of what Stellantis is putting out with the next-gen Daytona Chargers and the non-v8 powered Hurricane Chargers. I'm all for them switching it up and doing things a bit different. Will I miss the V8s? Of course but the new direction isn't bad. What is a little off-putting (at least to me) are things like not making them all 800V vehicles, not having actual CVT or 4 or 5-speed Dual-Clutch gearboxes with the EVs. Torque vectoring differentials and things like that, in my opinion, should be standard issue. Also the over the air update stage kit thing is just a little weird to me. If an 800V system can offer faster charging and a multi-speed gearbox can extend range, improve performance and give a more organic feel, shouldn't they be standard equipment in a vehicle that you're trying offer to the next-gen "Hellcat" owners? To me, that would make more sense on both the consumer and and the production end as one system would be spread across the entire range instead of having two different systems. Also, these "Stage" kits for the Daytona, really should be packages. A Daytona 340 (455hp), Daytona 383 (513hp), Daytona 426 (571hp), Daytona 440 (590hp) Daytona 500 (670hp), Daytona Banshee (I'd guestimate in the 740hp ballpark), Daytona Banshee Super Bee (885hp because I believe the max hp of a STLA: Large EDM is 442.54hp so 2x would equal roughly 885hp) and lastly a Tri-Motor Daytona 1320 (representing both the quarter mile measured in feet and the amount of Horsepower it produces because three of the STLA: Large EDM's 442x3= 1,326hp) really makes more sense to me than "Stage" kits. Those numbers also make more sense than what Stellantis was initially putting out anyway as those numbers ACTUALLY represent the engine sizes that were in the Mopar vehicles, with the exception of the 500 and the Charger 500 was a package, not an engine size. Also makes sense because the two Hurricane engines produce 420hp in Standard Output (GT) and 510hp (or 550hp with Cat-3) in High Output R/T, but I doubt they'll have the raw performance of the Daytona EV cars so you have room for both. The thing is, marketed properly, the cars will sell and once things seem less gimicky and for the right price, Dodge could end up selling a ton of these cars in both EV and ICE. True not everyone is going to like or appreciate these cars but there is a market for them and like I said, if marketed right, they will be a hit. Just waiting to see what the brand really does when the next gen cars hit the market.

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