ICYMI: Dodge Charger Concept, an EV with exhaust and shifting

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Aug 20, 2022 | Dodge, ev, Dodge Charger

Photography Courtesy Stellantis

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept certainly provides the visual vibes of a muscle car. However, it won’t give you the physical vibes from a V8 Hemi. Unless, you count the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. That’s right, an EV with an exhaust–and also shifting.

Dodge revealed the car on Wednesday at Dodge Speed Week. The manufacturer claims the Charger offers the “industry-first exhaust system for an electric vehicle delivers a performance sound that rivals the SRT Hellcat.” The car emits a 126 dB roar that’ll hopefully get your attention–and maybe your neighbors’, as a muscle car should.

Dodge goes on to say the car “drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge and feels like Dodge–and just happens to be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV).”

Just to add to that experience, unlike most EVs, this Dodge offers shifting.

Say what?

Yes, you heard correctly over that 126 dB digital exhaust note.

They call it “eRupt.” It’s a “multi-speed transmission with an electro-mechanical shifting experience.” Just as with a traditional manual transmission, it has distinct shift points that offer the promise of “throwing shoulders into seatbacks in true Dodge style.”

And, wait, they’re not done, yet. This Charger has a PowerShot push-to-pass feature. Now, you, too, can channel your inner IndyCar driver when you pass cars on country roads.

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept certainly is different than ICE versions, but, maybe, it signals a new beginning for the EV muscle car market.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/18/22 9:50 a.m.

I love it, but I can't be the only one who sees this:

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
8/18/22 9:55 a.m.

God i love this. 

Even better that they brought back the 60s logo, along with a heavy dose of 68-70 charger style. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/18/22 9:58 a.m.

Wait, a two-door Charger? What's up with that? 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/18/22 10:00 a.m.

Styling is cool for sure. The "exhaust" is stupid. The "transmission" doesn't do anything but make it feel like you shifted by interrupting the acceleration. It's like Dodge tried to figure out what the most pointless aspects of ICE were and then replicated them. Next they'll involve a shaker mechanism so you can feel it shake at idle.

But it's got us looking at pictures of the car and talking about it, so mission accomplished. Anyone notice it's a hatchback? That's going to be a pretty big load bay.

NickD
NickD MegaDork
8/18/22 10:02 a.m.

Fake exhaust note and the shifting are dumb (kinda like the CVTs with simulated shifts), but the styling is pretty solid.

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand Dork
8/18/22 10:02 a.m.

These are the things focus groups are saying they want? Interesting.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/18/22 10:03 a.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

After a certain number of years, perhaps they'll offer a plug-in so it periodically drips just a tiny bit of oil onto the ground. 

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
8/18/22 10:04 a.m.
Keith Tanner said:

The "exhaust" is stupid. The "transmission" doesn't do anything but make it feel like you shifted by interrupting the acceleration. It's like Dodge tried to figure out what the most pointless aspects of ICE were and then replicated them.

I think it could be fun. I haven't experience that many electric cars but those things both sound like they would make the car more enjoyable.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/18/22 10:21 a.m.
93EXCivic said:
Keith Tanner said:

The "exhaust" is stupid. The "transmission" doesn't do anything but make it feel like you shifted by interrupting the acceleration. It's like Dodge tried to figure out what the most pointless aspects of ICE were and then replicated them.

I think it could be fun. I haven't experience that many electric cars but those things both sound like they would make the car more enjoyable.

You mean "more like what's familiar". You can get breaks in the acceleration by lifting off the accelerator and pressing it down again. Since Dodge hasn't come forward with any technical information about the trans, we can't tell if it's actually doing anything other than just putting a pause in it.

There are ICE cars that have fake exhaust notes pumped into the cabin, and most enthusiasts seem to think it's a dumb idea. This one, blaring 126 dB outside the car, is aimed at the "loud pipes save lives but I'll never wear a helmet" crowd. Might as well do a Harley Davidson cross-promotion, if Harley Davidson is in business this week.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
8/18/22 10:23 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Keith Tanner :

After a certain number of years, perhaps they'll offer a plug-in so it periodically drips just a tiny bit of oil onto the ground. 

They could also include a critical component that has to be readjusted on the side of the road using a matchbook occasionally so the owner can bond with the car.

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