The writing's on the wall, folks! The reign of the internal combustion engine is coming to an end! With the EV space filling up with high-performance cars from Porsche, Tesla, and others, it's time to face the cruel reality! Even Dodge has taken the plunge now, which is a hard pill to swallow because it was single-handedly keeping the "no replacement for displacement" momentum going all these years. Many people who have always preferred internal combustion engines are unhappy about this shift. However, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis seems unfazed by the scenario and is quite convinced that nothing will stop this change. He is prepared to "crash the party and do it differently than everybody else", and the Dodge Daytona SRT EV Concept is proof of that. It's still refreshing to see a CEO who isn't afraid to take risks and innovate, even in the face of criticism. With that much confidence, even purists and Mopar fans who are already skeptical and sad about the end of ICE-powered cars might have to change their minds about the muscle EV. But, there is also that nudging question: Will the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT survive the market?
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Is Here To Electrify The Muscle Car Segment
Dodge announced an EV muscle car back in the fall of 2021. The automaker said it was getting rid of the Charger and would stop making the sedan with an internal combustion engine by 2024. It later showcased its first-ever BEV, the Charger Daytona SRT Concept, in August 2022. This isn't a half-hearted attempt; Dodge is stepping in with a bang, literally! Amongst other things, this insane electric concept features a very controversial piece of equipment; the "Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust," which will produce sounds that rival an ornery lion that just got neutered!
Dodge's exceptional effort to distinguish itself from the rest of the EV market is working fine. So, if you are hanging on the ICE, this might be your only chance to get that Charger or Challenger. Dodge also nailed the styling with this concept. It looks more like the original Charger than the existing sedan model, which should keep nostalgic buyers happy. However, the best and most exciting feature is the working Fratzonic chambered exhaust. Even though the company hasn't released a ton of information about this exhaust system yet, it looks like the Fratzonic exhaust delivers the "Dark Matter" performance sound through an amplifier and tuning chamber installed in the back of the car. This process happens when a sensor detects an increase in the electric motors' propulsion rate. And, to give Mopar fans a powerful, intimidating, and physical feeling when they hit the gas, Dodge says that the exhaust makes a performance-related roar of up to 126 decibels that sounds like or maybe even beats the sound of the SRT Hellcat.
The addition of the "Fratzonic chambered exhaust" demonstrates unequivocally that the Dodge isn't into this in a subtle way. This exhaust system gives the vehicle a distinctive subwoofer sound. Also, Dodge plans to build the new Charger Daytona SRT on the high-performance SLTA Large platform for BEVs, which is supposed to be the foundation for future BEVs from Dodge. Dodge has also added a PowerShot push-to-pass feature to the Daytona SRT Concept that gives more power for a short time and a quick burst of acceleration when you need more power. If you are having a nostalgic moment, that's because it's the signature Vin Diesel move in his Fast and Furious scenes!
What Is The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust?
There is a lot of controversy and mystery surrounding the Dodge Fratzonic chambered exhaust system. The system is likely just an artificial noisemaker instead of something more useful. Some Dodge fans may find the artificial performance noise tacky, while others might find it incredible. But, it doesn't matter to the EV Dodge makers since the idea of artificial noise in electric vehicles is likely here to stay. As far as the Hellcat's exhaust note is concerned, it is "artificial," but it is also part of its appeal to many buyers. A trumpet, which runs almost the entire width of the Charger, was the only sign of the Fratzonic exhaust system, as per the folks at TFL. The system may look like an exhaust exit, but is attached to a sound-producing chamber within the car and pushes air from the "exhaust" trumpet to carry the vehicle's performance sounds.
The Future of Dodge's Electrified Lineup
The future of Dodge's EV sounds is up in the air, as manufacturers offer different solutions and the execs weigh in with their ideas. Some manufacturers suggest soundscapes that wouldn't be jarring or unpleasant to listen to, while others suggest sounds that imitate the internal combustion engines to make it easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles. However, Kuniskis is looking to give the new Dodge Charger a unique sound that will appeal to customers. He wants to emulate the bass of a Hemi V-8 at idle and revving. He is also confident the Charger Daytona will redefine American muscle. But now, the big question is, will it win over the die-hard purists? And, if it does, are we looking at a near-production vehicle or an abstract concept? Yet again, we wait with bated breath for more information on Dodge's electrified future.