I actually like the new Dodge Charger Daytona EV quite a bit. But I also realize it’s going to be a very tough sell. After two decades of success with the last and most unapologetically old-school gas muscle cars of the modern era, Dodge has quite a task ahead in getting the faithful to consider leaving behind their V8 engines for battery power.
But the Charger Daytona EV has a few things going for it. It looks awesome, for one. The horsepower and performance specs already rival all but the most extreme versions of the outgoing Charger and Challenger. And now, Cars Direct reports that current Mopar leaseholders stand to get an extra boost on top of the $7,500 EV tax credit.
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The car-buying advice website says that an “unadvertised” Stellantis loyalty discount is in play for any current Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler owners looking to return their leases. According to a bulletin sent to dealers, that equates to $1,000 extra off a new Dodge Charger Daytona EV lease when they turn in a lease from the same family. When you add in the $7,500 EV tax credit—the car should be eligible for that at purchase and will be when it’s leased, per the loophole—that equals up to an $8,500 discount. And that should be enticing enough for even the most hardcore Hemi fan to at least give this thing a test drive. (It is worth noting that this loyalty lease discount also extends to “most models” in the Stellantis family, Cars Direct reports, but it has now been extended to the electric Charger too.)
Any discount on a new ride is enviable, but these breaks will go a long way to making this electric performance machine a bit more like he everyman muscle cars the old gas Charger and Challenger were. The electric Daytona R/T costs $61,590 (including a destination fee) and delivers 496 horsepower. The Scat Pack runs $75,185 and brings 670 hp to the table. The two are rated at 317 and 260 miles of range, respectively; the latter sure isn’t bad for a car that does zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Right out of the gate, the Scat Pack can do that dash a little quicker than the old Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak. The Charger will launch in late 2024 as a coupe and the four-door sedan will debut next year.
Whether the V8-loving crowd will really embrace electric muscle remains to be seen. But Dodge is going all-out to make a case here, including with the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” that simulates the booming engine and exhaust sounds those owners love. (I’d also add that I think the electric Charger is a more compelling option than the new inline-six option coming next year; if I wanted a BMW, I’d get a BMW, personally.)
Over the past few months especially, we’ve seen an aggressive array of lease deals and discounts on new EVs. Indeed, up to 80% of new electric purchases are leased, per recent data. Let’s hope the discounts hold and the dealers don’t get into the crazy markup game; if things go right, this rad-looking coupe could bring American muscle into a whole new era.
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