Car Review
Say watt? The new Dodge Charger is an electric muscle car
A stylish body, instant torque and 260-317 miles of range? It seems the Charger EV has it all.
Tyson Hugie for KSL Cars | March 15, 2024
Discussed in this article
Since its beginnings in the 1960s, the Dodge Charger has developed a reputation for its capabilities and performance. With a standard all-wheel-drive system and an available 670-horsepower drivetrain, the battery-electric version promises to uphold that legacy.
A strong history
The Dodge Charger has been around since the heyday of the muscle car era. First launching in 1966 as a contender in the competitive “pony car” segment, the nameplate went on to be applied to a variety of vehicle types in the Dodge family in the decades that followed.
The current generation, the vehicle’s seventh, launched in 2011 and raised the performance bar to new heights. Thanks in partnership to Dodge’s Street and Racing Technology team, the Charger (by this time offered only as a four-door sedan) became available with upgrades like widened body panels, stiffened anti-roll bars, a track-tuned suspension, and, of course, a variety of high-performance Hemi V8 engines.
Shop all Charger model years on KSL Cars
Charging forward
Dodge has modernized the Charger with an available electric powertrain. According to the company’s website, it is “still the world’s most powerful muscle car.” The Charger EV’s debut marks a brave move for Dodge, as this model will be the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle.
Production of the electric Charger is slated to begin this summer in Windsor, Ontario, according to the press release distributed on March 6, 2024.
A full-length glass roof is just one of the futuristic features on the Dodge Charger EV. Photo by Stallantis
Exterior design
Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the new Charger is its unconventional look. Electric cars, at least until recently, have used a design language that is uninspired and even a bit boring. Dodge’s design team set out to change that perception of this car by incorporating a muscular aesthetic.
The new Charger rides on what Stellantis calls the STLA Large Platform. Two-door models will be available later this year, and four-door models will arrive in 2025. The car has a wide-body layout which allows for meaty 325/35-sized rear and 305/35-sized front tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels.
The STLA Large Platform gives the new Dodge Charger embedded energy, charging efficiency and higher performance. Photo by Stallantis
Cockpit design
Cloth and leatherette seats are standard, but black Nappa leather upholstery is offered in either Black or Demonic Red. Attitude Adjustment Lighting (with 64 available colors) gives a customizable look and feel to the cockpit.
The steering wheel has a flat top and bottom for better control, and a layered instrument panel can be optioned with center screens of up to 16 inches in width. Dodge’s Uconnect 5 infotainment platform gives access to SiriusXM, TomTom navigation, and Amazon Alexa, so modern content abounds.
It's easy to imagine yourself carving corners in the new Dodge Charger from this view of the cockpit. Photo by Stallantis
Powertrains
There are two available options for electric powertrains on the new Charger.
Charger Daytona Scat Pack with 670 horsepower
Charger Daytona R/T with 496 horsepower
Momentum for each vehicle comes from two electric motors — one powering the front wheels and one powering the rear wheels — so all-wheel drive is standard. For even more traction assurance, the rear motor has a mechanical limited-slip differential. Battery power originates from a 100.5 kWh lithium-ion battery with a peak discharge rate of 550 kW, and the range is expected to be between 260 and 317 miles on a full charge.
Note: A gasoline-powered version of the Charger, called the Sixpack, will launch in 2025 and will have two available Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six motors for those who still prefer an internal combustion offering.
Performance
The beauty of electric power becomes apparent under heavy acceleration, since torque delivery is almost instantaneous. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack will be capable of hitting 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds. A PowerShot option — which acts as a power boost — is accessible via a button on the steering wheel and adds 40 additional horsepower for up to 15 seconds.
The Dodge Charger EV looks as good as it performs. Photo by Stallantis
Of course, what speeds up must also slow down. With that in mind, Dodge offers a Track Package which will include 16-inch Brembo vented brake rotors and six-piston calipers to bring things back under control. Features like Donut Mode, Drift Mode, Line Lock, and Launch Control are built-in to add an element of fun to the driving experience.
Modern or classic, the Dodge Charger is a powerful yet practical muscle car. Shop all Charger model years on KSL Cars now.
*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.
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