Is it a V8? Is it a 807-horsepower Dodge Hellcat? Is it a 1,025-horsepower Dodge Demon 170? No, it's the world's first Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system from the all-new Dodge Charger Daytona EV! The marketing language tells stories about a whole host of intelligently engineered technologies that, in unison, “produce the deep rumble and visceral feel that aligns with Dodge DNA,” says Dodge. But is that really the case? Well, fans of the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine think not… to put it nicely.
Matt McAlear, CEO of the Dodge brand – Stellantis, said: “We know our Dodge enthusiasts want that visceral feeling that comes with driving a Dodge muscle car, and the Charger’s new Fratzonic system delivers the adrenaline-filled feeling they expect. It reacts to specific inputs and driving situations, giving the driver a direct connection to their new Charger. Simply put, when you hear it and feel it, you’ll know it’s a Dodge Charger Daytona.“
The most important part of this quote is “reacts to specific inputs and driving events” bit. You may be familiar with the sound the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N makes when it mimics a form of engine acceleration and gear shifting. It's not meant to fool anyone, but it doesn't sound bad for a gimmick. Well, it looks like Dodge has taken it a step further.
The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust is basically a smart speaker system located in the lower rear fascia and powered by a 600-watt amplifier. You can identify it by the Fratzonic text logo. Depending on what the driver or car is doing at the moment, the Fratzonic thing reacts accordingly by providing feedback. Actions that activate it include on or off, idling, accelerating, PowerShot throttle, decelerating, and electric motor regeneration.
Also, the harder you push the car, the louder it gets. This is supposed to make the driver “feel” the car better through audio feedback and rumble, but until the reviews come out, that’s all theoretical for now. Sport mode produces a medium level of noise, while Drag, Drift, Donut, and Track modes produce the most noise. Yes, of course, you can also choose Stealth mode for silence on the 12.3-inch central touchscreen.
The system's name comes from the triangle-shaped “fratzog” symbol used on older Dodge vehicles from 1962-1975. It's less well known because it wasn't used in marketing promotions, but those who owned a model with the unique three-pointed logo will likely remember it.
The American automaker is taking the Fratzonic Chambered exhaust system very seriously and aims to make it the new OST or original soundtrack for the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Electric vehicle range. It is intended to “destroy preconceptions” and all that jazz.
Dodge is rolling out feature reveals for the upcoming Charger Daytona in a series of 20 YouTube videos on its official channel, with one “broadcast” each week. The 20-part series is divided into three main chapters: “Design Reimagined,” “Power Transformed,” and “Innovation Unleashed.”
The most recent one, “Built Upon a Legacy,” from August 9th, has already taken off. It boasts that the Charger Daytona's design is unconventional, unlike other “dissolved gelatin-“the inspired electric vehicles that roam our streets.
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T has an MSRP of $59,595. Its dual-motor setup produces 456 horsepower and 404 lb-ft (548 Nm) of torque. The car also has a PowerShot system that injects an additional 40 horsepower to 496, with a run time of up to 15 seconds. The R/T is expected to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h). The battery pack has an estimated range of 317 miles or 510 kilometers.
The high-performance Charger Daytona Scat Pack starts at $73,190 and delivers 630 horsepower with 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. The 15-second PowerShot feature pumps those “rookie numbers” up to 670 horsepower. This puppy can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, maxing out at 134 mph or 216 km/h. The Scat Pack may be much quicker, but it can’t travel as far as the R/T Package, limited to 260 miles or 418 kilometers on a single charge.