We have spent a good deal of time mulling over just how fantastic the Charger is here at Landmark Dodge of Morrow over the years! Since the Hemi V8 was recently retired, diehard Charger fans are all the more wistful about the car’s storied history. Last year saw the final construction and release of the Charger and Challenger built at the Stellantis Brampton Plant in Ontario, Canada. The good news for the coming of spring is that the pair IS coming back, with its superchargers being replaced with amazing electric powertrains.
When the 2024 Charger shows willingly up and ready to silently scorch pavement, it will be built on Stellantis’ STLA large platform, with availability in Scat Pack and R/T trims. After the first year, these models will be referred to as the Charger Daytona, with the return of gas-powered variants taking place next year. The primo and long-anticipated power source will be the Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which is sure to offer up enough grunt for those still stuck in their mechanic bays mourning the imminent shift to electric!
Since this doesn’t take place for a full calendar year, we thought this would be a good interval to compare the 2024 Charger Daytona to last year’s 2023 Charger. The power figures are most definitely an important draw, as well as stats to properly mull over. Last year’s Charger R/T employed a 370-horsepower Hemi 5.7-liter V8, while the Scat Pack was powered by a HEMI 6.4-liter V8 cranking out 485 horsepower. Both new models feature the expertly-developed modern marvel of 400-volt architecture and a battery with 93.9 kWh of poised capacity.
Since there’s now an electric motor at the front and rear axles, all new Chargers come standard with all-wheel drive. The R/T debuts with up to 496 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque, while the Scat Pack rethinks any form of quiet entrance courtesy of a staggering 670 horsepower. Part of the execution and “grand finale” regarding nailing these numbers down in the 15-second “Power Shot” function on board. This quickly fries things up “easy-over-asphalt” style, while enabling a 40-horsepower boost for up to 15 seconds of high-octane bliss.
You need to wait 30 seconds between uses for the Power Shot, but it will gloriously fire up for endless thrills until the battery is drained. The official claim as of now is that the R/T hits 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, with the Scat Pack claiming this valiant notch as its own in just 3.3 seconds. The battery is estimated to be good for 317 miles in the R/T model, and 260 miles for the stallion-grade Scat Pack. The Charger Daytona arrives snarling at the gate with a slightly-stretched wheelbase, measuring 121 inches.
So many loyal fans had wondered just what the styling would be like, and everything at this point came out looking much like the Charger Daytona concept. Smack dab between the headlights is the sweet illuminated Fratzo logo, while the hood doesn’t have quite the bulge it did when a V8 resided within. The Scat Pack model will wow the tech-loving crowd with a 16-inch infotainment screen, while the R/T features a 10.3-inch model. The XXL gear selector from last year’s model is absent, replaced with a new pistol-grip selector to smoothly shift into your next adrenalin-rich adventure!
