- Dealer rollout of Charger Daytona was reportedly pushed back 90 days due to electrical issues.
- Public sales launch in fall 2024 may not be affected, but confirmation is pending.
- Delay likely applies to dealer processes such as allocation and ordering, not overall production.
The fully electric Dodge Charger Daytona might be in for a rocky start if the latest reports hold true. Citing multiple dealer sources, MoparInsiders says that the preliminary (presumably dealer) rollout of the electric muscle car has been delayed by 90 days to “address several electrical issues that have surfaced during testing” before the car hits dealerships later this year.
According to the report, dealer documents indicate that Dodge has postponed allocation orders, ordering processes, and even the official presentation (likely intended for dealers) of the new Charger Daytona from May to August 2024.
More: 82% Of You Would Buy The Inline-Six Dodge Charger Over The Daytona EV
However, as you can tell, there’s some confusion regarding the launch date. MoparInsiders mentions a shift from a summer launch to fall, but Dodge previously confirmed a mid-2024 production start followed by a fall 2024 sales launch during the Charger Daytona’s March reveal that we had attended. This suggests the delay might only affect the dealer-side aspects of the launch, not the public sales date.
The exact impact on the originally scheduled fall sales launch remains unclear. We’ve contacted Dodge for comment and will update this story with their response.
The publication reported that a prototype Dodge Charger Daytona was photographed by a reader, being transported on a flatbed back to Auburn Hills. The EV was secured on the truck with straps passing through its open windows.
In another incident, engineers were reportedly locked out of the Charger’s rear hatch, requiring them to access the cargo area from inside the cabin. Subsequently, prototypes of the muscle car have been observed with cords visible from the boot area, likely enabling test drivers to manually open the power hatch in case of a similar issue.
The debut of the Charger Daytona is an important moment for Dodge, serving as its first production EV and the brand’s first clean-sheet design in many years. The initial R/T and Scat Pack versions are expected to be pricey, boasting a dual-motor AWD setup producing 496 hp and 670 hp respectively. However, Dodge is also said to be developing a more accessible electric variant for next year, known as the Charger GT, which will feature a single motor (RWD) producing approximately 300 hp.
More importantly, Dodge plans to expand its lineup in 2025 with the introduction of the ICE-powered Charger Six Pack, equipped with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in multiple performance configurations. This move aims to cater to enthusiasts of combustion engine muscle cars amid a global slowdown in EV adoption, keeping fans of combustion muscle cars happy.
