It’s Official, Dodge Is Killing The Electric Charger Daytona R/T

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Yardbird

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It’s Official, Dodge Is Killing The Electric Charger Daytona R/T​

Story by Michael Gauthier

  • Dodge will discontinue the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T for the 2026 model year.
  • The Charger Daytona Scat Pack will remain in production and could receive a price cut.
  • A four-door variant of the Charger Daytona and twin-turbo engine are expected for 2026.
Update: A Dodge spokesperson reached out to confirm that the base Charger R/T will indeed be discontinued from the lineup, leaving the Scat Pack as the sole option in the electric Daytona range, at least for the 2026 model year.


“Production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies,” the company told us in a statement. “The Charger’s flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s performance as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.”

Original story follows below.



AA1ES3V3.jpg

Dodge has found itself in a bit of a pickle with the Charger Daytona, and let’s just say, the ‘brotherhood of muscle’ isn’t exactly embracing the EV revolution. In fact, it seems like their idea of “muscle” is still firmly rooted in gas-powered engines, leaving expensive electric coupes to languish on dealership lots, forcing huge markdowns.

A quick search online reveals a $61,590 Charger Daytona R/T listed for a mere $34,184 in Florida. Over in Texas, Richardson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has their $61,590 Charger Daytona R/T priced at $39,055.

While those are just two examples, it’s clear the Charger Daytona was an answer to a question no one asked. Dodge might finally be acknowledging that as a new report suggests the entry-level R/T variant will be killed off for 2026.

We’ve reached out to Dodge for a comment and are still waiting for a response (as of this writing), but Mopar Insiders is reporting that the R/T was originally going to be an “order-only” model for 2026. However, given the dismal reception, Dodge is apparently preparing to pull the plug on it entirely.

Scat Pack and New Models

The Charger Daytona Scat Pack is rumored to survive and it’s notable for featuring a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 630 hp (470 kW / 639 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. That’s considerably more than the R/T’s 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS) and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm).

While the 2025 Charger Daytona Scat Pack starts at $68,195 before a $1,995 destination fee, the 2026 model is reportedly getting a price cut. There’s no word on how much, but it appears to be dropping equipment and perks including the previously standard Track Pack.

Aside from the rumored elimination of the Daytona R/T, a four-door model is set to join the lineup in 2026. It will be accompanied by the previously announced twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. The publication also says the 2026 Charger lineup will gain a new wheel design as well as a stripe package that was previewed at Springfest.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/oth...S&cvid=40845c2ad16246d8ac699e1f50a3921c&ei=57
 

Docwagon1776

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So they are having trouble selling an EV that's slower than the competitors, with less range than competitors, but more expensive than the competitors, with almost no marketing, and what marketing does exist is making fun of the people interested in EVs, while having a fart-sonic fake exhaust noise machine to pretend it's a real car?

shocker-shocked.gif
 

Lsujker

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So they are having trouble selling an EV that's slower than the competitors, with less range than competitors, but more expensive than the competitors, with almost no marketing, and what marketing does exist is making fun of the people interested in EVs, while having a fart-sonic fake exhaust noise machine to pretend it's a real car?

View attachment 566490
Ha! Agree.

Now will it sell with a straight 6? About to find out (hopefully).
 

Docwagon1776

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Ha! Agree.

Now will it sell with a straight 6? About to find out (hopefully).

I think it's going to be tough, if for no other reason that domestic traditional performance car sales aren't spectacular across the board and Dodge's marketing is either terrible or absent all together. The Camaro is dead and the Mustang only sells about 50k units per year in the US, less than half of what they sold 10 years ago. That's with a base MSRP of something like $32k for the 315hp ecoboost model and $47k for the 480 hp Coyote equipped model. Higher priced cars are going to move in smaller numbers.

Estimated MSRP for the Sixpack slots thosee numbers at around $40k to start. I think that's optimistic and it'll be closer to mid-$40k base price, but I don't have a crystal ball so who knows. If it's close to the price of the Coyote, I think traditionalist performance car seekers will gravitate more to the Mustang or stick to the used market. If it's close to the price of the ecoboost, maybe people roll the dice and take the big hp bump. I am curious as to what the weight comparison will look like, though, as in how much fatter is the Dodge vs the Ford and how much of the hp advantage is eaten as a result.

Let's say it's $45k for a base SO sixpack. New, I'm buying the Mustang unless I really really value the extra interior space. If I expand my options into the used market, there's a lot of Corvette Grand Sports in good condition for that money, and some older Z06s. Camaro ZL1 5th gens, so a supercharged V8. Newer low miles Mustang Mach 1s are in that price range.

So, in short, even if it's a good car...it's an unproven new car in a field with a lot of really really good alternatives in a similar price range in a shrinking market.
 

1999 White C5 Coupe

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So they are having trouble selling an EV that's slower than the competitors, with less range than competitors, but more expensive than the competitors, with almost no marketing, and what marketing does exist is making fun of the people interested in EVs, while having a fart-sonic fake exhaust noise machine to pretend it's a real car?

View attachment 566490


But other than that - it’s no longer full speed ahead with their EV plans?
 

skates15

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They can blame tariffs all they want but everyday I drive by a dealership with 2 of them on the lot that have not sold and I seriously doubt they will sell...at all.

Their lobby has shinny Rubicons and trucks, no EVs.
 

Docwagon1776

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But other than that - it’s no longer full speed ahead with their EV plans?

I guess we'll see. They are still making the Scat Pack version. Jeep is still supposed to be releasing a small electric SUV, but it's probably delayed as well.

The level of (lack of) investment from Stellantis in any new products for the US brands extends into both EVs and ICE vehicles. The one vehicle that may actually be new and interesting, the extended range truck that's an EV with an onboard generator (V6 pentastar) keeps getting pushed back. Of all the ideas they've thrown at the wall, IMO that's the one most likely to stick if they keep the price reasonable and actually deliver a quality product.
 

HemiLonestar

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Once Tavares stepped down (it's ALL his fault) I was waiting to see how long something like this might take.
 

HemiSam

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I have not seen a single Charger on the road in Houston. Several at dealerships.

The ones I have seen are not easy on the eyes...

HS
 

JJEH

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Recently I got to look a bit closer at the BEV Charger, and I have to say, it's really nice. Now, I understand they are hard to sell and pricing is only one of the problems ($79K+ for the one I was sitting in. Ridiculous!). I'm sure developing the Fratzonic exhaust sound system was cool and fun, and if you love Arcade sounds, this one is for you, no doubt. But serious people don't care for it.

But nothing is lost. Both the exterior- as well as interior design are beautiful, and the materials used look and feel great.

Put the skateboard back to R&D for future use (solid state battery?), use the body and give it a chassis that allows for either the Hemi or the I6 Hurricane to be used. Lower the price and this thing will sell better than sliced bread.

4DEB-B4B5-A73EFB326B66.jpg

I'm not sure why it looks like I'm crammed in there, I had plenty of space, even in the back seats!!! The telescoping steering wheel here is at its end, and I would prefer it a bit closer. But it's still comfortable.

Ball's in Dodge's court.....
 

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It’s Official, Dodge Is Killing The Electric Charger Daytona R/T​

Story by Michael Gauthier

  • Dodge will discontinue the entry-level Charger Daytona R/T for the 2026 model year.
  • The Charger Daytona Scat Pack will remain in production and could receive a price cut.
  • A four-door variant of the Charger Daytona and twin-turbo engine are expected for 2026.
Update: A Dodge spokesperson reached out to confirm that the base Charger R/T will indeed be discontinued from the lineup, leaving the Scat Pack as the sole option in the electric Daytona range, at least for the 2026 model year.


“Production of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T is postponed for the 2026 model year as we continue to assess the effects of U.S. tariff policies,” the company told us in a statement. “The Charger’s flexible, multi-energy STLA Large platform allows us to focus on the Charger Daytona Scat Pack’s performance as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car, add the new four-door model to the Charger mix for the 2026 model year and lean into the new Charger SIXPACK models that will launch in the second half of the year.”

Original story follows below.



View attachment 566489

Dodge has found itself in a bit of a pickle with the Charger Daytona, and let’s just say, the ‘brotherhood of muscle’ isn’t exactly embracing the EV revolution. In fact, it seems like their idea of “muscle” is still firmly rooted in gas-powered engines, leaving expensive electric coupes to languish on dealership lots, forcing huge markdowns.

A quick search online reveals a $61,590 Charger Daytona R/T listed for a mere $34,184 in Florida. Over in Texas, Richardson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram has their $61,590 Charger Daytona R/T priced at $39,055.

While those are just two examples, it’s clear the Charger Daytona was an answer to a question no one asked. Dodge might finally be acknowledging that as a new report suggests the entry-level R/T variant will be killed off for 2026.

We’ve reached out to Dodge for a comment and are still waiting for a response (as of this writing), but Mopar Insiders is reporting that the R/T was originally going to be an “order-only” model for 2026. However, given the dismal reception, Dodge is apparently preparing to pull the plug on it entirely.

Scat Pack and New Models

The Charger Daytona Scat Pack is rumored to survive and it’s notable for featuring a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 630 hp (470 kW / 639 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. That’s considerably more than the R/T’s 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS) and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm).

While the 2025 Charger Daytona Scat Pack starts at $68,195 before a $1,995 destination fee, the 2026 model is reportedly getting a price cut. There’s no word on how much, but it appears to be dropping equipment and perks including the previously standard Track Pack.

Aside from the rumored elimination of the Daytona R/T, a four-door model is set to join the lineup in 2026. It will be accompanied by the previously announced twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. The publication also says the 2026 Charger lineup will gain a new wheel design as well as a stripe package that was previewed at Springfest.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/oth...S&cvid=40845c2ad16246d8ac699e1f50a3921c&ei=57
Bah! I wouldn't have bought one anyway! I recently took my '22 Laramie for some warranty work. From the customer waiting area I could see the new car lot. I noticed several folks around an electric charging station. They were all staring at an EV Charger. I went outside to "eavesdrop." The salesman had an iPad and was explaining certain functions to the small crowd. One guy declared he would miss the sounds of a big V8 rumbling through a set of straight pipes. With that, the salesman messed around with the iPad and started up the Charger. The he said, "Check THIS out!" Next thing you know, the rumbling of an idling V8 was heard. "See?", he said, "You won't be missing a thing!" I started cackling in the background. The salesman shot me a dirty look, so I retreated back inside. Artificial V8 noise...are you KIDDING me?!
 

Tominator223

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So I just watch a vid. Claiming fca was working to make a solid state battery in the charger ev. With 18 min charge time & better range. It may help them sell some. Not for me. And they should get with the makers of forza vg. For exhaust sound. It seems to me a piezoelectric vehicle would be a better Ev. Never needs plugged in. Jat
 
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