Dodge launches the EV “they” don’t want you to have

The petrol-sucking V8 Dodge brand has revealed its first battery electric muscle car concept.

And it is selling it to its hydrocarbon loving audience as one the authorities – presumably ones in favour of saving the planet – won’t like.

“Trust me, this is not the EV they want you to have,” said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis. “This is the way Dodge does EVs.”

Named the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept, it previews production models due to launch in 2024.

READ MORE: 2024 Dodge EV muscle car to “tear up the streets, not the planet”
READ MORE: Dodge Hornet buzzes in: PHEV performance SUV “unlocks gateway to Dodge muscle”

Dodge has survived in recent times building a series of ever-more powerful V8 ICE models under the Charger and Challenger nameplates.

But they will finish production in December 2023, committing the US division of the giant global auto group Stellantis to an EV future.

Dodge does say the concept has a propulsion system with “performance that exceeds the brand’s famed SRT Hellcat engine”.

FYI, the Hellcat 6.2-litre supercharged engine comes in various power levels up to about 600kW!

The Dodge EV concept introduces a new powertrain name to the company lexicon – Banshee.

This is an 800V propulsion system that Dodge says is key to achieving performance measures that exceed the Hellcat “in all key performance measures”.

Another FYI, independent testing by Car and Driver magazine showed a 2023 Challenger SRT Hellcat hitting 60mph (97km/h) in 3.6 secs and reaching 125mph (201km/h) in 11.8 secs across the quarter mile (400m).

And the EV will be faster!

Dodge hasn’t gone into much detail about the concept’s drivetrain, except to confirm it’s all-wheel drive (so it’s got at least two electric motors), will have a multi-speed ‘eRupt’ transmission with electro-mechanical shifting and a “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” system that makes a 126dB “Dark Matter” sound.

But power, torque, battery capacity and range all are yet to be revealed.

The drive experience is alterable via a steering wheel button that can engage Auto, Sport, Track or Drag modes and change the driving dynamics, display graphics, sound and interior lighting.

The car will include a “powershot” push to pass mode, a drift mode, a slam mode and a donut mode.

The concept also features a new exterior design element called the R-Wing that is intended to retain Dodge’s bluff front-end styling while providing aerodynamic downforce via a pass-through.

The car also marks the return of the ‘Fratzog’ badge featured on Dodge models from 1962 to 1976. Previously meaningless, it now is linked to EV models.

The concept is a two-door hatchback rolling on 21-inch wheels. Inside there is  12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 16-inch instrument cluster and 8.3-inch head up display.

Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis acknowledged the brand’s buying audience are bolted on ICE lovers but did his best to sell the EV positives at the concept’s launch with his anti-authority message.

“Look, here’s the facts; we didn’t ask for the rules to change, we didn’t want them to change, but they did,” he said.

“We can try to outrun them but that would be a nine second pass straight into extinction.

“Or we could do what we did. Read their rules, study their rules, find their grey areas and then unleash the Banshee.”