Dodge’s unveiling of the Daytona SRT Concept roughly 18 months ago provided a glimpse into the new electric Charger officially introduced today.
While the production versions set to hit the market this fall closely resemble the concept, they lack some of its most notable features, notably the two-speed transmission and the 800-volt electrical system. These features are, however, reserved for the Banshee, a top-tier performance model slated for release in 2025.
The Banshee: Electrified Powerhouse
Consider the Banshee as the electric counterpart to the outgoing Hellcat, renowned for its robust Hemi V-8 engines. These high-performance engines were celebrated for their immense horsepower and often grabbed headlines. With the Hellcat V-8 now retired, Dodge aims to surpass its legacy with the Banshee.
While Dodge hasn’t divulged specific performance metrics or power figures for the Banshee, we can speculate based on available information regarding the new Charger Daytona Scat Pack and Dodge’s promise to exceed the Hellcat’s performance.
Given that the most potent Hellcat-powered Charger, the Redeye Jailbreak, boasted 807 horsepower, the Banshee is expected to surpass this figure.
Although Dodge achieved 840 horsepower with the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 in the Challenger Demon and even pushed it to 1025 horsepower in the Demon 170 with E85 gasoline, the Banshee’s debut will likely fall short of a four-digit horsepower output.
Nonetheless, the Banshee is expected to outpace the Charger Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak’s claimed acceleration times. With Dodge’s estimates putting the gas model at 3.6 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint and 10.6 seconds for the quarter-mile, the Banshee, equipped with all-wheel drive, should easily surpass these figures.
Considering the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s claimed acceleration of 3.3 seconds to 60 mph, the Banshee is expected to achieve this in under three seconds and complete the quarter-mile in around 10 seconds.
Anticipated Features and Competition
The Banshee will likely include the Track Pack features optionally available on the Daytona Scat Pack, such as adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes with large rotors and six-piston front calipers, and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires. Visually, it may mirror the Daytona SRT Concept with its 21-inch wheels and turbine-like design.
While Dodge has historically competed with gas-powered rivals like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, the Charger now enters a new realm as the sole electric muscle car.
It may face competition from high-powered electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Lucid Air Sapphire, each boasting over 1000 horsepower. This shift promises an intriguing evolution in the performance EV landscape in the coming years.
Also read: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Arrives As The World’s First And Only Electric Muscle Car
