AFTER final yr producing presumably essentially the most brutal, 1000+ horsepower (745kW) V8-engined automotive in its historical past – the wheel-standing and parachute outfitted Challenger SRT Demon 170 – it appears to be like like Dodge has extra up its high-performance sleeve within the type of a brand new totally electrical, two door lift-back Charger coupe.
Earlier mannequin Chargers had been four-door sedans whereas the two-door mannequin was known as the Challenger Stateside.
The brand new Charger EV broke cowl on Meta this week with a gallery of “manufacturing prepared” photos posted by Dodge depicting a brand new, muscular EV with Daytona and reversion Fratzog badging and no exhaust pipes that retains a basic ICE profile and general look regardless of being electrical powered.
Dodge has clearly opted for a extra standard muscle automotive search for the car slightly than favouring an ever extra frequent kooky-looking EV design language.
Hypothesis surrounding the brand new Mopar scorching rod BEV has been rife for at the very least 18 months following the looks on the 2022 SEMA aftermarket present of Dodge e-motors in 400- and 800-volt configuration with between 456hp (340kW) as much as 590hp (439kW).
Since then, a drip feed of data on potential EV powertrains for the Charger/Challenger has been selectively leaked with the massive information allegedly from a Dodge insider who mentioned the brand new Charger/Challenger shall be accessible in BEV and ICE kinds with the latter powered by Dodge’s new Hurricane straight six turbo powerplant already earmarked for the Ram 1500, and little doubt different fashions.
This engine will possible be accessible in two energy outputs of round 420hp (313kW) as much as 510hp (380kW) which needs to be sufficient to quickly propel the brand new Dodge muscle automotive and could also be mated to a light hybrid (MHEV) system as within the Ramcharger system.
There’s even speak of an entry degree four-cylinder ICE powertrain being accessible in Charger, like that supplied by Ford in its Mustang.
Nevertheless, the totally electrical variations might take every part to a different degree with single and twin motor variants presumably accessible utilizing both 400- or 800-volt structure. Sources counsel the one e-motor mannequin could be rear wheel drive and sure run a 400-volt powertrain with 400hp (298kW) or thereabouts.
The AWD dual-motor variants are tipped to run 400-volt e-motors delivering a attainable mixed 670hp (500kW) as much as a whopping mixed 885hp (660kW) with two 800-volt models.
In efficiency phrases, the brand new Charger might method the outright schtonk of the Demon 170 – at the very least in its final dual-motor AWD 800V EV kind – regardless of an undoubted weight penalty.
Hypothesis of a sub-two-second 0-100km/h dash is rife in Dodge fanatic circles however that appears far-fetched given the spec’ of the Demon 170 that’s outfitted with drag-race-specific tyres and different accelerative benefits.
All-wheel drive may assist the BEV Charger get near the supercharged 6.2-litre, e85 guzzling quarter mile monster.…. We’ll have to attend and see.
Although not confirmed, the brand new Charger coupe in numerous powertrain configurations is because of arrive in US dealerships late this yr.
