Dodge Daytona SRT Reveals the Look (and Sound) of Future Electric Muscle Cars

Justin Pritchard
by Justin Pritchard
dodge daytona srt reveals the look and sound of future electric muscle cars

“Today, it’s 1978 for big V8s” says Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Dodge brand.

“Today, trucks and SUV’s outsell cars 4 to 1. The switch away from cars happened fast. The race for electrification will happen even faster. The industry is investing 526 billion dollars into it. It’s happening.” Kuniskis says that Dodge’s journey to electrification had to take them in a different direction than the crowd.

SEE ALSO: Dodge Hornet coming with Electrified R/T and new PowerShot Feature

“We didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing” he said. “That doesn’t work for us”. Then, he summoned the Dodge Challenger Daytona SRT concept car up onto the stage to show off what his team cooked up instead.

Dodge Daytona SRT Concert

The future of electrified muscle: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept
The future of electrified muscle: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept

Much of the concept car looked production ready as it rolled onto the stage, complete with a powerful soundtrack, which is weird, because it’s electric and all. It’s a rhythmic drone with a patterned resonance. Imagine a sci-fi warp-drive spacecraft and a big, cammed-out V8 had a baby. This is what it would sound like. The noise is delivered with the same depth and presence as a pipe organ in a cathedral, and hits with as many decibels as a Hellcat.

No speakers here, though.

Instead, here’s an electric muscle car with an exhaust system made of special chambers and pipes and outlets that shape the movement of air to create an electric exhaust system that can pump out up to 126 decibels of noise while physically moving air out the backside of the car. “This is patented tech. Nobody else can do it” Kuniskis said as the concept car’s motors revved excitedly in the background. There’s even a cool ‘wind-down’ sound when the motors are switched off.

Multi-speed E-Rupt Transmission

dodge daytona srt reveals the look and sound of future electric muscle cars

Also patented? A multi-speed transmission for the electric muscle car. “Linear acceleration is great, but it’s not exciting” Kuniskis says. A watchful nod from a nervous chief engineer stopped him from providing further details on gear ratios or the number of speeds for the new ‘E-Rupt’ transmission, but we do know that this concept car features patented and producible components including an electric exhaust system that’s as loud as a Hellcat, and a multi-speed transmission for more thrilling acceleration.

SEE ALSO: Dodge Unveils the Future of its Current Muscle Cars

The concept car is pre-engineered to accommodate up to 9 performance levels, some of which involve additional software and hardware added by dealers. Further details on the power levels and associated grade names, including the ‘Banshee’, will come later.

Classic Shape, Modern Aero

dodge daytona srt reveals the look and sound of future electric muscle cars

All units are AWD-equipped and both 400-volt and 800-volt versions will be offered. With rectangular light bars in front and back, the Charger Daytona stays true to its styling roots, with elements both inside and out evocative of earlier Dodge muscle cars.

Giving a modern EV a muscle car shape has some challenges, as aerodynamics usually take top priority over glamorous looks. The solution for the Charger Daytona borrowed the nose-cone design from decades ago. Dubbed the R-wing, an opening at the front of the hood creates a full passthrough that’s extremely aerodynamic and enables a bolder and more expressive shape. The R-wings is patented too, by the way.

dodge daytona srt reveals the look and sound of future electric muscle cars

According to the design team, the two-door, four-passenger hatchback design should be very recognizable to Dodge’s fans, while bringing a fresh new face into the EV segment. “If you look at this and say ‘what the heck is that’, then we’re doing our job’ commented one designer. While a concept car was shown, Kuniskis was careful to point out that ‘patented’ means ‘producible’, and that this concept is very far from a science project.

Seems like Dodge is gearing up to launch an electric muscle car that you’ll definitely hear coming.

Discuss this story on our Dodge Daytona Forum.

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Justin Pritchard
Justin Pritchard

Justin Pritchard, an award-winning automotive journalist based in Sudbury, Ontario, is known for his comprehensive automotive reviews and discoveries. As a presenter, photographer, videographer, and technical writer, Justin shares his insights weekly through various Canadian television programs, print, and online publications. In 2023, Justin celebrated a significant milestone, airing the 600th episode of his TV program, AutoPilot. Currently, he contributes to autoTRADER.ca, Sharp Magazine, and MoneySense Magazine. His work as a technical writer, videographer, presenter, and producer has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2019 AJAC Video Journalism Award and the 2018 AJAC Journalist of the Year. Justin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Laurentian University, which he earned in 2005. His career in automotive journalism began that same year at Auto123.com. Since then, he has written one of the largest collections of used car buyer guides on the internet. His passion for photography, nurtured from a young age, is evident in his work, capturing the scenic beauty of Northern Ontario. Living in a region with a particularly harsh winter climate has made Justin an expert on winter driving, winter tires, and extreme-weather safety. Justin’s significant achievements include: 2019 AJAC Video Journalism Award (Winner) 2019 AJAC Road Safety Journalism Award (Runner-Up) 2019 AJAC Automotive Writing (vehicle review topics) (Winner) 2019 AJAC Automotive Writing (technical topics) (Winner) 2018 AJAC Journalist of the Year You can follow Justin’s work on Instagram @mr2pritch and YouTube @JustinPritchard.

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  • Willy D Willy D on Aug 18, 2022

    Finally a '68 Charger. Yup, had one, and the styling for the time was awesome. Back in the day, I couldn't wait for the New Auto Show, to see what Tom Gale and team had produced. Tim K has my respect for what he and his team has produced during his tenure, as I have been eager to see the next chapter every year. Sorry Tom, but Tim is the MAN. Put me down for a low motor, B5 Blue-Heck I'm old now so...

  • Andrew Gifford Andrew Gifford on Aug 18, 2022

    Electric cars maybe in the future. But trying to push electric vehicles on South West USA ,A regiion that doesn't have enough electrical capicity for homes, businesses, agriculture is nuts. Water for life, etc is severly limited. Much better to use other non_electrical resources that we have in abundance.

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