Over the last decade, Dodge has become the defacto muscle car division of multinational mothership Stellantis. They jettisoned minivans, trucks, and economy cars years ago, and with laser beam precision, focused on a muscle car lineup consisting of the Challenger, Charger, and Durango.

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept features an inspired design that takes on the challenge of revolutionizing the look of a BEV while offering subtle nods to the brand’s muscle car past.

All great for us enthusiasts, but the looming ICE age extinction has left Dodge in a sticky predicament. How would Dodge transition from a muscle-centric nameplate, yet retain the cool factor they have slowly and deftly cultivated? The news that 2023 will be the swan song of the ICE-powered Charger and Challenger signaled that Stellantis is undaunted with the metamorphosis.

The future of electrified muscle: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept

Yet, the recent debut of a rebadged Alfa Romeo bearing the name Dodge Hornet was horrifying to car enthusiasts around the country. Was this a preview of what to expect of the new-era Challenger and Charger – badge-engineered, electric Alfa Romeos?

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept offers a glimpse at the brand’s electric future through a vehicle that drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge, and sounds like Dodge.

Thankfully, that’s not the case, even though the car will be based on Stellantis’ global EV platform shared with multiple models. Meet the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept, the first electric muscle car and a giant defibrillator jolt to the EV movement. Forget about “weird beard” college professors in Priuses with woke bumpers stickers. Instead, think of beautiful, state-of-the-art, blindingly fast muscle cars that never need a drop of dino juice.

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept will debut in 2024 as a production model with nine power levels, four-wheel drive, virtual exhaust “notes,” and a transmission that shifts like a proper, old-school muscle car.

Remember this is a concept so we don’t know if everything will carry over to the production car but the details are juicy, to say the least. Dodge hasn’t released any horsepower ratings either, although they promise it will be faster that any Hellcat before it.

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept rolls on painted-pocket 21-inch wheels with diamond-cut faces that continue the concept’s aerodynamic efficiencies with a turbine-like design, and a red Fratzog logo embellishes the wheel center locks.

Three game-changing, patent-pending features make up the essence of the Charger Daytona SRT Concept:

• Banshee Propulsion System: This new EV architecture might make you forget all the things you hate about EVs.
• Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust: Industry-first exhaust system for an electric vehicle delivers a performance sound that rivals the SRT Hellcat
• eRupt: Multi-speed transmission with an electro-mechanical shifting experience give tactical feedback.

Brushed aluminum fender badges announce the new pinnacle of performance in the Brotherhood of Muscle: Banshee. The 800V Banshee propulsion system powers the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept car and screams performance.

The all-new propulsion system is dubbed Banshee and it joins HEMI, Hellcat, and Redeye in the hallowed halls of Mopar monikers. According to Dodge, “The 800V Banshee propulsion system powers the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept car and screams performance, making Dodge’s first electric vehicle faster than a Hellcat in all key performance measures. The standard all-wheel-drive system is key to pushing beyond Hellcat performance while also improving all-weather capability.”

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept voices a 126 dB roar that equals the SRT Hellcat, generated through a new, patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system.

Additionally, pedestrians and bystanders won’t have to worry that they won’t hear the Charger coming. “While most BEVs embrace their virtually silent electric motors, that just wouldn’t do for Dodge. The Charger Daytona SRT Concept voices a 126 dB roar that equals the SRT Hellcat, generated through a new, patent-pending Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system. Yes, Dodge added an exhaust to an electric vehicle,” Dodge explains.

Both the front and rear lighting of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept feature a full-width design centered by a 3D illuminated Fratzog badge.

The Charger concept utilizes a novel transmission as well. Dodge elaborates, “Unlike typical BEVs, the Dodge brand’s eRupt multi-speed transmission with electro-mechanical shifting delivers distinctive shift points, throwing shoulders into seatbacks in true Dodge style. The Charger Daytona SRT Concept also boasts a PowerShot push-to-pass feature. Activated by the push of a button on the steering wheel, PowerShot delivers an adrenaline jolt of increased horsepower for a quick burst of acceleration.”

Lastly, we can’t help but ask, where does a new Challenger nestle into the new lineup next to a two-door Charger? We’ll have to wait and see on that but in the meantime, welcome to the future of muscle cars.

A new steering wheel design for the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept offers a thinner feel, with a flat top and bottom, and an illuminated red SRT logo lights up the steering wheel center.