Dodge has recently disclosed the pricing for its contentious Charger Daytona EV, which is set to enter production shortly. Enthusiasts of muscle cars may not be pleased with the figures. The 2024 Charger Daytona R/T will have a starting price of $61,950, and the Scat Pack variant will be priced at $75,185. For the initial rollout, the Charger Daytona R/T will include the 'Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade Package' as standard, delivering 496 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque from its dual electric motors. The Scat Pack will feature a 'Stage 2' package, offering 670 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Both models are eligible for a $7,500 tax credit when leased, but it remains uncertain whether buyers will receive a full tax credit due to potential non-compliance with federal standards.
Regardless of the perspective, both Charger Daytona models are notably pricey. The 2023 Challenger R/T started at $43,245, and the R/T Scat Pack at $50,860. Even the final iteration of the Challenger Hellcat, the SRT Hellcat Jailbreak, began at $72,890. Clearly, the new Charger Daytona models are more advanced and better equipped than their predecessors. They also boast greater power. However, a more fitting comparison for the new Charger Daytona R/T might be the older Scat Pack, with the new Scat Pack rivaling the power of the previous Hellcat. This suggests that the new electric vehicles are significantly pricier than their older, possibly more sought-after gasoline counterparts.
Both Charger Daytona models at launch come with a Direct Connection upgrade package, raising questions about whether less powerful, more affordable models will be introduced later. The Scat Pack also includes a standard 'Track Package' featuring Brembo brakes, adaptive dampers, enhanced seats, and a video data logger capable of recording both track and drag racing sessions. Additional options include the $4,995 Plus Group, which enhances the interior with upgraded trim, a 360-degree camera system, a power liftgate, and 20-inch wheels for the R/T. A Sun and Sound Package, priced at $2,495, adds a panoramic roof and an Alpine sound system, with specific option packages also available for the R/T and Scat Pack.
Production of the two-door model is imminent, with four-door versions slated to begin production in the first half of next year. The gasoline-powered Charger, equipped with Stellantis' new twin-turbo straight-six, is expected to start production in the second half of 2025. Dodge is facing a challenging landscape, as evidenced by the negative reactions on social media regarding the brand's electric vehicle push. Many muscle car aficionados are resistant to EVs, and the high cost of the initial Charger Daytona models compared to their predecessors is unlikely to win them over.
