Design Exhibition: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept

news7g08/27/2022

5 5 minutes read

Design Exhibition: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept

Muscle cars are all about power and poise; and in the 1960s, America offered the ideal combination of readily available cheap gasoline, a carefree zealot, and open roads that allowed these cars to thrive.

Dodge might not have been the first to join the muscle car party, but the brand’s Charger was arguably one of the hottest models when production started in 1966.

Initially sharing certain design cues with another brother, the Dodge Coronet, the Charger really came into its own with a more distinct design when the second generation was introduced in 1968.

With a cleaner, more majestic appearance shaped by styling cues like the wide C-pillar and the iconic end-to-end grille with hidden headlights, it is this model that forms the Classic charger in the minds of many people.

More recently, the sixth and seventh generation chargers have transformed from a quick two-door coupe into a more practical four-door sedan, based on the more conservatively designed Chrysler 300, with The Challenger became a rival to the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro.

It may come as no surprise that in creating an electric performance car, Dodge has reused the name Charger very appropriately.

Perhaps a bigger shock is that Dodge took the opportunity to completely refresh its Charger nameplate, taking inspiration from the prototype second-generation car and redesigning it to echo the silhouette of the original. that car.

Currently known as Ideas about Dodge Charger Daytona SRTa near-identical production version is expected to be revealed closer to the sale date in 2024.

The brand says the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept, “drives like a Dodge, looks like a Dodge and feels like a Dodge – and that happens to be a battery-powered vehicle.”

Let’s see what has made this model such a successful modern take on its 1968.

Want to know more about the concept, including its soundtrack? Read here.

Side profile

Today’s electric vehicle design is often underpinned by a desire to maximize aerodynamic efficiency, often resulting in a bubble or teardrop-shaped vehicle, with Mercedes’ ‘one-bow’ design as used in The new EQS and EQE are perhaps the best examples of this in the luxury EV space.

In contrast, Dodge has taken the opposite path, with three key features on the side panels demonstrating a commitment to the classic muscle car silhouette and timeless 1968 Charger design.

The first of these is a wide C-pillar that wraps around the greenhouse and sweeps down the tail. Like the 1968 version, this serves the main purpose of giving the bike a confident stance that showcases the power inside, while the ramp bar also gives the feel of a car sitting on its back. and ready to rush forward.

The other two lines define the Charger side configuration and complete the look. The first of this is a strong shoulder line that starts right at the tail and works its way down the window and through the door to end in front of the wing mirror.

In turn, this is complimented by an upward curve above the front wheel, ending right at the leading edge of the front door.

Combined, these lines further provide a sense of forward movement, by acting as a subtle optical illusion, like a tapering wedge towards the end, visually lowering the front end.

Front view

The 1968 Dodge Charger is famous for its uniform ‘shaver’ style front grille, end to end, complete with flaps that slide upwards when the headlights need to be used. During the day, when headlights may not be necessary, this creates a particularly distinctive and captivating front end.

While modern regulations and other considerations mean that the technology can no longer be used in road-legal cars, Dodge has attempted to recreate a uniform appearance through LED technology. .

This is demonstrated through the use of a front LED light bar that spans the entire width of the vehicle before curving upwards in a U-shape to illuminate the sides of the upper ‘radiator grille’.

Of course, electric cars don’t use an engine and the ability to put the compact engine in a much lower position offers packaging benefits, which also allows designers to be much more creative with shapes and sizes. bonnet length.

This includes giving the car a much longer bonnet stance by having a short bonnet, or trying to reduce drag and optimize aerodynamics (and therefore range) by having a better road. Curve the bonnet down much steeper.

The designers of the Charger Daytona concept opted for the latter approach, with an innovative new feature called the R-Wing. This effectively acts as an integrated front spoiler allowing air to flow easily through the front of the vehicle, allowing the designers to create a curve down the rest of the front bonnet as well. as a ‘capacity bulge’.

Dodge claims that the overall effect of this design is to increase downforce, thereby improving grip and handling as well as higher speed, while allowing for a significant reduction in drag coefficient.

Tail View

A repeating design trend for today’s rear end is the rear light bar. Already seen on everything from SUVs to passenger cars and sports cars, the light bar gives the vehicles a futuristic look, and this is probably the area where the Charger concept’s design lies. The Daytona SRT is significantly different from its 1968 ancestor.

With the front light bar and ‘R-Wing’ available, Dodge aims for a dual light strip rather than a single bar, with two LED rings surrounding the vintage-inspired Fratzog logo and providing a sense of direct symmetry. for the front, while also giving the overall design a more cohesive feel.

Interestingly, Dodge has managed to improve practicality by turning the rear end into a hatchback, improving cargo access while maximizing luggage space.

inland

With a regular steering wheel, full center console, instrument cluster and reasonably sized infotainment screen, the Charger Daytona’s interior is almost production ready.

Perhaps its most impressive aspect is the expansive ambient lighting that Dodge-speak calls ‘Attitude Adjustment Lighting’, which is combined with what Dodge claims are ‘parametric textures’ and ‘circuit-like graphics’. ‘ is applied to door and panel equipment.

The more practical effect of this is that it creates a sportier, stronger atmosphere for the cabin that works well with the cockpit already oriented to the driver.

Want to know more about the concept, including its soundtrack? Read here.

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