I truly like the brand new Dodge Charger Daytona EV fairly a bit. However I additionally notice it may be a really powerful promote. After 20 years of success with the final and most unapologetically old-school fuel muscle vehicles of the trendy period, Dodge has fairly a job forward in getting the devoted to contemplate abandoning their V8 engines for battery energy.Â
However the Charger Daytona EV has a couple of issues going for it. It seems superior, for one. The horsepower and efficiency specs already rival all however essentially the most excessive variations of the outgoing Charger and Challenger. And now, Automobiles Direct stories that present Mopar leaseholders stand to get an additional increase on high of the $7,500 EV tax credit score.Â
The car-buying recommendation web site says that an “unadvertised” Stellantis loyalty low cost is in play for any present Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Chrysler house owners trying to return their leases. In line with a bulletin despatched to sellers, that equates to $1,000 additional off a brand new Dodge Charger Daytona EV lease after they flip in a lease from the identical household. Once you add within the $7,500 EV tax credit score—the automobile needs to be eligible for that at buy and might be when it is leased, per the loophole—that equals as much as an $8,500 low cost. And that needs to be engaging sufficient for even essentially the most hardcore Hemi fan to no less than give this factor a take a look at drive. (It’s value noting that this loyalty lease low cost additionally extends to “most fashions” within the Stellantis household, Automobiles Direct stories, however it has now been prolonged to the electrical Charger too.)Â
Any low cost on a brand new experience is enviable, however these breaks will go an extended strategy to making this electrical efficiency machine a bit extra like he everyman muscle vehicles the outdated fuel Charger and Challenger had been. The electrical Daytona R/T prices $61,590 (together with a vacation spot payment) and delivers 496 horsepower. The Scat Pack runs $75,185 and brings 670 hp to the desk. The 2 are rated at 317 and 260 miles of vary, respectively; the latter certain is not unhealthy for a automobile that does zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Proper out of the gate, the Scat Pack can try this sprint a little bit faster than the outdated Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak. The Charger will launch in late 2024 as a coupe and the four-door sedan will debut subsequent yr.Â
Whether or not the V8-loving crowd will actually embrace electrical muscle stays to be seen. However Dodge goes all-out to make a case right here, together with with the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” that simulates the booming engine and exhaust sounds these house owners love. (I might additionally add that I believe the electrical Charger is a extra compelling possibility than the brand new inline-six possibility coming subsequent yr; if I needed a BMW, I might get a BMW, personally.)Â
Over the previous few months particularly, we have seen an aggressive array of lease offers and reductions on new EVs. Certainly, as much as 80% of recent electrical purchases are leased, per current knowledge. Let’s hope the reductions maintain and the sellers do not get into the loopy markup sport; if issues go proper, this rad-looking coupe may deliver American muscle into an entire new period.
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