We were surprised to discover a set of four “spy shots” of the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT when we went surfing the web this morning — all the more so when it turned out the pre-production pics came from Dodge itself. Here’s what we know about the all-electric muscle car.
Dodge created quite a stir when it rolled out the Charger Daytona SRT concept a couple years ago, promising to put the all-electric show car into production as a replacement for the more familiar, Hemi V-8-powered version muscle car.
With the last of the classic Chargers having rolled off the assembly line just before the New Year’s ball dropped, interest in the Daytona package has begun to peak. And we’re pleased to be able to offer four images of what the battery-powered model is going to look like.
We’re also surprised that these four “spy shots” of a pre-production Daytona package come from Dodge itself, the automaker posting them on its official Twitter — er, X — account.
Unfortunately, the post didn’t provide much new information about the all-electric Charger beyond confirming that it will be “Available late 2024.”
“No science project”
There are still folks who question whether Dodge really will put an all-electric muscle car in production. But brand boss Tim Kuniskis tried to put an end to that debate right from the moment the concept package first revealed in August 2022.
The original 2022 Dodge Charger Daytone SRT concept.
“This is not a science project,” he stressed at the unveiling. “Some concept cars are. This is not.”
Even now, there’s still a lively debate underway, however, with some folks continuing to believe that Dodge will, at the very least, also offer a gas-powered version using the Hurricane, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six.
What the pics reveal
A close look shows this pre-production model doesn’t stray far from the show car. A frontal image reveals a light bar surrounding the front headlamps on three sides. It’s difficult to tell at that angle, however, whether the LED strip continues on the top side, just under the hood, as was the case with the concept.
As was first shown, this version of the Charger Daytona SRT remains a coupe, it’s twin doors using frameless glass.
A Dodge worker appears to be playing with the camo that normally is used to keep pre-production models disguised.
The show car’s illuminated “Fratzog” logo carries over and “Daytona” is embossed into the lower bumper. As with the original concept, the pre-production model is decidedly more aerodynamic than the old, Hemi-powered Charger, though it does carry over some familiar styling cues meant to give it a more menacing appearance than the typical EV.
A few changes
Compared to the concept, however, there are more conventional, albeit still recessed door handles. The coupe caught in these images also has a larger spoiler and revised taillights.
And, on the rear quarter panel of the driver’s side is some sort of small aperture. Whether it’s the charger port is unclear. It very well could also serve double-duty as a fuel port were there to be a gas model. Sadly, the folks who actually snapped these pics – for Dodge – aren’t talking.
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What we know
Note the small door on the pre-production model’s left rear quarter panel.
Dodge officials dropped plenty of hints, but relatively few hard details when the Charger Daytona was first revealed — followed by a series of updated versions brought back to various car shows.
What we do know is that the EV will use a 900-volt electrical architecture — at least on upper trim versions. That offers a number of advantages for both performance and charging speed. Dodge officials hinted they could come out with base packages with a 400-volt system, as well — though offering two separate electric architectures seems likely to add more cost and complexity to the program.
Kuniskis told Headlight.News sometime back that there would be three different performance levels available at showrooms. But each of those could then access two additional upgrades — for a total of nine options — using over-the-air update technology. The automaker would simply download new software, much like you can do with smartphone apps.
Connected car
Another look at the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept.
Indeed, there’ll be plenty of new, high-tech features build into the Charger Daytona, with still more available to download. Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Dodge’s parent Stellantis, has suggested the automaker eventually bring in about $20 billion in annual revenues selling digital features, services and upgrades to its customers.
We’ll have to wait to see if Dodge brings to production two other features found on the original show car, starting with the “fratzonic exhaust,” a system intended to recreate the guttural roar of a classic, Hemi-powered Charger.
Lots of EVs today allow motorists to engage digital “soundscapes” inside the vehicle to give a more visceral feel for how their EV is performing. This system, however, would recreate the exhaust note both inside and out. Work has been progressing on the fratzonic system, though we were told last year that it wasn’t quite ready for prime time.
Separately, Dodge was planning to introduce Daytona with a multi-speed gearbox. Currently, the Porsche Taycan is the only EV to use more than one gear — and only on two of its three electric motors. Daytona is expected to offer at least four speeds — though it’s unclear whether they will be simulated or if Dodge will actually go with a multispeed gearbox.
Incidentally, the electric drive system will use at least two motors, and possibly more, with higher-trim models delivering power through all four wheels. As for the numbers, something north of 800 horsepower seems likely, perhaps more with those optional upgrades. But it will be the incredible, instant torque that electric motors can deliver that Dodge appears to be counting on to win over classic muscle car fans.
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