Dodge unveils first ever electric muscle car as it discontinues iconic gas-powered Challenger and Charger
Dodge has revealed what the first ever electric muscle car will look like – and it’s pretty mean.
It comes as the American automaker announced that it will be putting its gas-powered Challenger and Charger models out of production in 2023.
The sleek, two-door, four seater is just a concept at the moment, but Dodge hopes the new electric model will be a good replacement for the Challenger.
In fact, it’s set to be even more powerful, with this power coming from two electric motors, one sat on each axle and like many other high-end, electric vehicles will run on an 800V electrical system.
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According to evo, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept EV features a multi-speed electromechanical gearbox called ‘eRupt’, which will be controlled with a traditional gear selector.
But while electric vehicles are typically quiet cars, this won’t be quite as subtle.
The model includes an augmented engine noise generator, emitted from the back of the car and amplified through a ‘Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust’.
This will sync up with road speed and should reach volumes of 126dB – which Dodge says matches the sounds of its Hellcat.
It includes full-width lightbars at the front and rear, and the front of the car also acts as a wing to draw air inside it and accelerate it over the bonnet.
Many people on social media loved that the car was being called a ‘Charger’.
One person said: “I think ‘Charger’ is the best name for an EV ever.”
While another wrote: “So now you charge the charger.”
Others didn’t rate the idea behind its noise either.
“There’s nothing as sad as an electric car making petrol car noises, make an electric version by all means but making it able to play petrol noises is just sad,” said one user.
While another added: “It looks fantastic but fake noises on an E vehicle is a bit silly. Could the power going to the speakers not push a little more to the motor, the wheels or some other practical element of the car?”
Still, it should be a good replacement for its gas-powered Challenger and Charger models which will discontinue next year.
These models can range anywhere between £25,000 to £80,000.
The decision comes after Dodge’s parent company, Stellantis, was given an F ranking in carbon emissions, the Washington Examiner said.
As a result, it announced its commitment to cut its emissions by half in 2030 and go carbon net zero by 2038.
“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright, new, electrified future — by staying true to our brand," Dodge brand CEO Tim Kuniskis said.
“At Dodge, we never lift, and the brand will mark the last of our iconic Charger and Challenger nameplates in their current form in the same way that got us here, with a passion both for our products and our enthusiasts that drives us to create as much uniqueness in the muscle car community and marketplace as possible.”
The final models will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, but by the look of its EV concept, it will be worth the wait.
Topics: Cars, Electric Cars, World News
Anna Verdon