When Dodge announced that the next-generation Charger would be electric, muscle car purists nearly lost their minds. The idea of a Charger without a HEMI V8 sounded like heresy — a betrayal of the brand’s rumbling, tire-smoking legacy.
But now, the future has arrived. Dodge has built the 2026 Charger Daytona Scat Pack, a 670-horsepower, all-electric, all-wheel-drive monster with an artificial exhaust system called the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust.
It sounds wild on paper — and after Autoblog’s first drive review, we finally have a brutally honest verdict: it’s not the same kind of muscle car… but it’s still a muscle car. Just a new kind.
The Numbers: Faster Than a Hellcat (Off the Line)
Before we talk emotion, let’s talk numbers — because this thing moves.
The Daytona Scat Pack cranks out 670 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, sending power to all four wheels. Thanks to instant EV torque, the result is a shocking 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.5 seconds.
That’s quicker off the line than a Hellcat Redeye, and you don’t need to worry about wheelspin or traction. The car just launches — instantly, violently, and with relentless thrust.
Autoblog’s reviewer described the experience as “pure neck-snapping acceleration,” the kind that leaves you grinning even if your ears can’t quite believe what’s happening.
Handling: Muscle Meets Modern Engineering
The old Charger was big, bold, and built for straight-line domination. The new Daytona Scat Pack? It’s more than just a drag strip hero — it’s engineered to corner.
Dodge’s engineers used clever suspension geometry and a low-mounted battery pack to keep the center of gravity planted. Reviewers noted that despite weighing over 5,000 pounds, the car feels surprisingly nimble and composed through curves.
The steering is heavy but precise, giving drivers a sense of control that traditional EVs often lack. You can feel the weight, but it’s used to your advantage — like a heavyweight boxer who knows how to dance.
As Autoblog put it: “It feels heavy, but not clumsy. You can hustle it, and it rewards you for trying.”
The Sound: Meet the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust
Now for the elephant in the room — or rather, the fake elephant roar.
The new Charger doesn’t have a V8. Instead, it has the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust, a real, 126-decibel sound system that physically pushes air through tuned chambers to create a visceral, dynamic exhaust note tied to your acceleration.
It’s not just a speaker making engine noises — it’s an instrument designed to emulate the physical resonance of combustion.
Autoblog’s reviewer admitted initial skepticism, but came away impressed:
“It’s not a V8, but it’s loud, it’s physical, and it makes the car feel alive. The sound changes as you accelerate — not like a recording, but like something with character.”
It doesn’t mimic a HEMI rumble; it invents a new kind of soundtrack. Think of it as an EV battle cry — mechanical, aggressive, and completely unique.
A Multi-Speed Transmission — in an EV?
Another surprise: Dodge gave the Charger a multi-speed transmission.
Most electric cars use a single-speed gearbox, but Dodge wanted to add engagement and texture to the driving experience. The transmission simulates gear shifts — complete with torque surges and physical movement — to make the car feel more interactive.
Reviewers said this was one of the most unexpected (and welcome) features of the car. Instead of the silent, seamless wave of speed most EVs deliver, the Daytona Scat Pack builds tension, releases it, and feels mechanical, even though it’s powered by electrons.
As one put it: “It’s the first EV that actually makes you want to grab a gear.”
The Feel: Different, but Still Pure Dodge
Here’s the big takeaway from Autoblog’s first drive: the Charger Daytona Scat Pack doesn’t try to replace the HEMI — it evolves it.
It’s not pretending to be a V8 muscle car. Instead, it embraces its electric identity while capturing the same spirit:
- Brutal straight-line speed
- Over-the-top theatrics
- In-your-face attitude
Everything about the car — from its bold design to its aggressive sound profile — screams Dodge. Just in a different language.
The reviewer summed it up perfectly:
“It’s not a HEMI replacement. But it’s every bit as rowdy, emotional, and unapologetic — just reimagined for a new era.”
Verdict: The New Kind of Muscle
So, can an electric car really feel like a muscle car? According to the first impressions — yes, in its own way.
The 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack is fast, dramatic, and full of personality. It doesn’t growl like a Hellcat, but it doesn’t whisper like a Tesla either. It creates something entirely new — a bridge between Dodge’s loud, rebellious past and its electrified future.
If this is the new face of American performance, it’s not the end of muscle. It’s a revolution with a soundtrack.
