Sales of the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona have been underwhelming. The Fratzonic exhaust hasn’t been music to the ears of muscle car mavens, but to bolster the numbers, a gas-powered version is coming. To make room, Dodge cut the R/T base model leaving only the all-electric Scat Pack available for 2026.
After lackluster sales, Dodge is cutting the R/T model from the 2026 Charger Daytona lineup.
The arrival of the all-electric version came with plenty of fanfare, but the new Charger didn’t satisfy the longtime fans of the marque. Many complained that the specially developed Fratzonic exhaust note wasn’t appealing and the car didn’t supply the visceral feel of the past models.
To hedge its bets, Dodge created a V6-powered version as well, but it’s not set to arrive for some time. While the success of the electric Charger Daytona was always in some doubt, company officials chalked up the move to another issue.
“Production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies,” said Dodge CEO Matt McAlear in a statement.
“The Charger’s flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s performance as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger Six-Pack models that will launch in the second half of the year.”
More money
The all-new Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack produces 670 horsepower and 627 lb.-ft. of torque.
With the R/T out of the picture, the only Charger Daytona available is the Scat Pack, which — at the very least — offers plenty of power. It puts out 630 horsepower, but if you push the Power Shot button that jumps to 670 hp for a short burst.
The 2025 Scat Pack starts at $73,985 without destination charge while the R/T is substantially less expensive at $59,595. Both are available only in all-wheel drive. While hard numbers on the pricing or performance capabilities of the Six-Pack-powered model coming for next year isn’t available, it does appear to coming sooner than originally planned.
Both variants debuted in March 2024, but the plan was for the ICE-powered model to come much later, to please what the company thought might be a few diehards. However, the Charger Daytona hasn’t ingratiated itself to the gas-powered groupies.
As to what those clamoring for a gas-powered Charger, it’s important to note the Six-Pack is based on the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline 6-cylinder, which produces either 420 hp or 550 hp.
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They tried
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear said R/T production is “postponed,” but didn’t offer a resumption date.
The lukewarm response to the all-electric model isn’t because Dodge marketers didn’t try hard. They developed the Charger Virtual Experience, an “interactive mobile, virtual, 360-degree world” gives traditional Dodge Charger fans a chance to check out the what Dodge calls the future of muscle cars in a simple, easy-to-access way: on their smartphones.
The new Dodge Charger virtual experience allows potential buyers to get familiar with all of the Chargers’ capabilities. It will also help them create their dream ride in the virtual world before they head to the dealership.
Users get a guided experience that helps them sort through the various options and packages available on the new all-electric Charger. The Dodge Charger Virtual Experience can be accessed on mobile devices through a QR code that will be featured in Dodge dealership showrooms and in Dodge displays at auto shows, NHRA races, Radford Racing School and Dodge events throughout the year.
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