Dodge is planning a slew of 400-volt and 800-volt Charger models but the ICE version could outsell them all
June 14, 2024 at 14:30
- While the EV promises to be quicker, muscle car fans still want combustion engines.
- Dodge has yet to announce pricing details for the latest-generation Charger.
- Customer deliveries of the new model will start before the end of this year.
In a CarScoops poll we published a few weeks ago, we asked if you’d rather buy the new-age Dodge Charger with its inline-six or the all-electric Daytona version. The results are in and they won’t make for pretty reading for Dodge executives. The consensus was clear: ICE wins.
After more than 1,800 votes, 82% of readers said they’d rather own the Charger with its straight-six, with just 18% voting in favor of the Daytona EV. This shows that Dodge made the right call in not killing off its ICE-powered muscle cars entirely but perhaps suggests it ventured into the world of electric muscle cars a little too early.
Read: Would You Buy The New Dodge Charger Inline-Six Or The Daytona EV?
When the Charger Daytona EV was unveiled as a concept in August 2022, Dodge marketed it as the frontier of an exciting new future for muscle cars. The response from fans was mixed. Fast-forward to 2024, and interest in new EVs has cooled, particularly for performance-focused EVs. Not even the promise of the EV being quicker than the inline-six Charger has convinced fans.
“Nothing like having an engine and the actual sound that it makes,” wrote Abraham Perez – and it’s hard to argue with that. Sound is seemingly a factor for many: “It depends on how the I6 sounds,” noted another reader, Brent. “If it sounds trash, then I’ll choose the Daytona.”
Markus went as far as saying “Honestly speaking, I would prefer even a three cylinder 1.0 with 100HP to a 600HP EV with washing machine sound.” Some have complained about the absence of a V8 in the new Charger’s lineup, noting that they’d rather get something else, like a Mustang, instead of Dodge’s offerings.
Although the majority made it clear that they would go for an ICE model, there were also those who would gladly get the EV version. “While I love inline-6es (or ICEs in general), seeing what Hyundai has done with Ioniq 6N makes me want an EV in the future – if the manufacturer chooses to go similar route,”, wrote rd. However, VaporTsunami84 raised a concern that’s shared by many potential EV owners: “Honestly wouldn’t mind the EV, but the electric charging infrastructure just isn’t there yet.”
The first two Daytona EV models will rock 400-volt electric architectures. The entry-level R/T will pack 496 hp and 404 lb-ft (548 Nm), while the pricier Charger Scat Pack will deliver 670 hp and 625 lb-ft (850 Nm). Dodge also promises at least four other 400-volt versions and an 800-volt flagship with a two-speed transmission.
By comparison, the base gas-powered Charger will sport a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder with 420 hp, while the flagship 3.0-liter model will pack 550 hp. Prices for the Charger range haven’t been announced, but the EV will almost certainly be pricier than the ICE model, which may also encourage more shoppers to opt for the gas model.
It will be interesting to see a breakdown of sales for the new Charger when deliveries start towards the end of this year. Dodge probably expects the ICE version to outpace the EV initially but may be hoping demand for the EV increases as time goes by.