With production set to begin soon, Dodge’s Charger Daytona EV is charging into the future with steeper prices.
Dodge has just revealed the pricing for its highly anticipated 2024 Charger Daytona EV, and it’s clear that this electric muscle car is stepping into the future with a price tag to match. The new Charger Daytona R/T will start at $61,950, while the more powerful Scat Pack version will cost $75,185. These prices are notably higher than those of their gas-powered predecessors, and that’s already stirring up mixed feelings among muscle car enthusiasts.
For those wondering about the steep price increase, it’s important to note that the Charger Daytona EV brings a lot more to the table in terms of performance and features. The R/T model comes equipped with the “Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade Package,” which boosts its output to 496 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant jump from the 370 horsepower of the old gas-powered R/T. Meanwhile, the Scat Pack, with its “Stage 2” package, delivers a hefty 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. This kind of power used to be the domain of the Hellcat, but now it’s available in an electric package—though at a much higher cost.
In addition to the performance upgrades, the Scat Pack also comes with a standard “Track Package,” which includes red Brembo brakes, adaptive dampers, upgraded seats, and a video data logger for recording your best runs, whether on a road course or drag strip. These features make it clear that Dodge is positioning the Charger Daytona EV as a serious performance machine, even as it moves away from traditional internal combustion engines.
But the shift to electric power isn’t the only thing that’s raising eyebrows. The price difference between the new EV models and the outgoing gas versions is hard to ignore. The 2023 Challenger R/T was priced at $43,245, and the R/T Scat Pack at $50,860. Even the last of the Challenger Hellcats, with its massive V-8 engine, started at $72,890. So, while the new Charger Daytona models offer more power and modern tech, they’re also considerably more expensive.
Dodge is offering some optional packages to enhance the Charger Daytona even further. The $4,995 Plus Group adds luxury features like upgraded interior trim, a 360-degree camera system, and a power rear liftgate. There’s also a Sun and Sound Package, which adds a glass roof and an Alpine sound system for $2,495. And for those who want to make their Charger Daytona even sportier, there are additional options like the Blacktop Package for the R/T and the Carbon & Suede Package for the Scat Pack.
Production for the two-door Charger Daytona EVs is set to start soon, with deliveries expected in the fourth quarter. Four-door versions are on the horizon as well, with production beginning in the first half of 2025. Dodge is also working on a gas-powered version of the Charger with Stellantis’ new twin-turbo straight-six engine, which will start production in the second half of 2025.
However, despite all the high-tech upgrades and impressive power figures, Dodge might face an uphill battle convincing traditional muscle car fans to embrace these new electric models. The significantly higher prices and the departure from the beloved roar of a V-8 engine are tough pills to swallow for some enthusiasts. Whether the Charger Daytona EV will win over the hearts of muscle car purists remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Dodge is fully charging ahead into the electric era.
