Dodge to launch ‘world’s first’ electric muscle car in 2024, 2.0-second 0-100km/h time expected
Horsepower-obsessed muscle car brand Dodge is working on a new electric sports sedan offering immense power, blistering performance and a retro nameplate.
American V8 muscle-car specialist Dodge has confirmed plans to launch "the world's first electric muscle car" in 2024, potentially capable of a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.0 seconds.
Confirmed as part of parent company Stellantis' EV Day event overnight, the new Dodge electric muscle car promises to deliver more power and performance than any of the brand's current supercharged V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive muscle coupes and sedans.
Riding on an all-new large dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform, the electric halo car is slated to feature at least two 330kW electric motors to create all-wheel drive – enabling a zero to 100km/h sprint time of as low as 2.0 seconds.
Pictured left of shot: Dodge's new electric muscle car.
That time would put it in contention with high-performance EVs from the 1.97-second Rimac Nevera hypercar, to the 2.1-second Tesla Model S Plaid. Driving range will span up to 800km on a single charge.
Teaser images suggest it will take the form of a coupe-inspired, four-door sedan, with muscular surfacing, large alloy wheels, and full-width front and rear LED lighting elements that likely signal the 'letter box' front and rear ends of today's petrol-powered Challenger.
The car – seen flaunting its inner hoon with a four-wheel burnout – also wears the 'Fratzog', Dodge's then-futuristic three-pointed logo used throughout the 1960s. Its exact purpose is unclear, though it's possible the emblem could be revived for an all-electric sub-brand from the American car maker.
Motivating Dodge's push towards electric power is said to be a desire for an increase in performance, rather than emissions regulations – though it's widely expected tightening emissions rules are forcing the brand's iconic supercharged V8 to approach the end of its lifecycle.
"Our engineers are reaching a practical limit of what we can squeeze from internal combustion innovation. They know [and] we know electric motors can give us more. And if we know of a technology that can give customers an advantage, we have an obligation to embrace it," said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis.
Rumours in recent years have suggested the American arm of Stellantis is working on a new inline-six petrol engine, paired to a plug-in hybrid system to develop close to 400kW.
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