The Hemi is barely alive over at Stellantis and reports say that Carlos Tavares killed it. Whether or not that’s true, it’s clear that Dodge understands that buyers want a gas-only option. That is why the production of the gas-powered Charger is ahead of schedule. A new report says that even with all the various factors at work, the new Charger isn’t going to end up with a Hemi V8 anytime soon.

As a reminder, those who claim to be familiar with the matter say that now-former CEO Tavares axed the Hemi so that Dodge and Ram could be “greener.” However, he left the company earlier this month. Now, despite some less-than-spectacular reviews of the new Charger Daytona, at least one report indicates that it won’t get a V8.

More: Dodge Dealers Already Discounting New Charger Daytona EV Under MSRP

According to Jalopnik’s Andy Kalmowitz, engineers at Dodge say there are two main problems. First, the Hemi V8 won’t even fit under the hood of the new Charger. While I’m personally all for Dodge selling a Charger with a V8 literally sticking up out of the hood itself, that probably doesn’t meet safety standards.

Evidently, the engineers claim that shoehorning a V8 into the Charger would require moving the cradle and the firewall. That’s unlikely to happen simply based on the cost of re-engineering such pivotal parts. Dodge would have to run new crash tests too on top of everything.

In addition, the engineers claim that going back to the V8 would “fly in the face of what they were trying to accomplish with the car.” To be very clear, the goal was to build the next generation of muscle cars for the modern world. Did Dodge pull that off? The reviews are mixed and there’s still no indication of exactly how customers will adopt the car. In any case, a Stellantis spokesperson responded to the report with the following statement:

“Dodge is focused on launching the all-new, all-new electric Dodge Charger Daytona models, as well as the Dodge Charger SIXPACK ICE-option models coming next year. We have nothing additional to share in regard to potential future products.”

Granted, this neither confirms nor refutes the original report, although, given the engineering hurdles, it’s unlikely that the new Charger will be available with a V8 in the future. At least, for now, the Hemi lives on in cars like the Jeep Wrangler 392 and the Durango that we drove recently, as well as in heavy-duty Ram trucks. Nevertheless, if you insist on having it in a muscle car, there are still plenty V8 Chargers and Challengers sitting at dealers’ lots.

Dodge dealers are gearing up to launch the all-new Charger Daytona, but it appears some of them might be experiencing a lack of demand. While that remains unclear, we found a few already offering thousands of dollars in discounts.

This is the exact opposite of what you’d expect to happen with an all-new model in the market, as dealers typically add hefty markups. That’s certainly the case with the Volkswagen ID. Buzz as we recently spotted one dealer asking $35,000 over MSRP – although they’ve now dropped it down to a $20,000 markup.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

It’s a different story over at Dodge, where Blaise Alexander Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Mansfield, Pennsylvania has a 2024 Charger Daytona R/T listed for $68,988. That’s $1,982 below the car’s sticker price of $70,970.

Maryland’s Heritage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Parkville is being even more generous as their Charger Daytona Scat Pack carries a $3,713 discount. This lowers the price from $80,175 to $76,462.

While it’s probably too early to read into things, most Charger Daytonas are being listed for MSRP. Of course, since they’re not on dealer lots yet, only a handful are showing up in inventory and it’s possible that markups may be right around the corner.

That’s what happened at Volkswagen as the company was initially able to keep a lid on markups. However, as more dealers took delivery of the van, some started adding $5,000 or more onto the price tag.

It will be interesting to see if the Charger Daytona follows a similar path, but it’s a radical departure from its predecessor. The R/T starts at $59,595 and features a dual motor all-wheel drive system with 456 hp (340 kW / 462 PS) and 404 lb-ft (547 Nm) of torque. Buyers will also find a 100.5 kWh battery that promises to deliver 317 miles (510 km) of range.

The Charger Daytona Scat Pack is even more extreme in terms of performance and price. It starts at $73,190 and has 630 hp (470 kW / 637 PS) and 627 lb-ft (849 Nm) of torque. This lowers the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time from 4.7 to 3.3 seconds, but the range plummets to 260 miles (418 km/h).

Dodge dealers are set for some big paydays if they can persuade drivers to take a new Charger EV home. A new report claims retailers could bank thousands of dollars on every 2024 / 2025 Charger Daytona they sell, and that’s before the inevitable markups enter the conversation. For dealerships, it’s a windfall. For buyers? Well, that depends on how much they’re willing to shell out for Dodge’s electrified muscle revolution.

According to Cars Direct, which analyzed the difference between dealers’ internal Stellantis order guide invoice pricing (the price the dealer pays Dodge) and the MSRP for the same vehicles and found high-spec Daytonas could generate over $3,200 for the retailer.

Related: Dodge Charger Daytona EV Shows Its New Colors As It Gets 0% Financing Deal

The investigation revealed the base Charger Daytona has a before-options MSRP of $57,995, but an invoice price of $55,096, meaning the dealer will pocket $2,899 from a straight cash sale. That compares with an invoice-to-MSRP difference of just $607 on a 2023 Challenger SXT, which sounds very low, although dealers also get deals from automakers and may often pay below invoice for a car.

Things get even more lucrative if the buyer is looking at the sportier Scat Pack. The official invoice price for one of those is $61,746, so if the dealer sells at MSRP, he could bank $3,246. But we’re talking about one of the most hotly anticipated American performance cars of the year. The dealers likely aren’t going to be selling at MSRP. One dealer in Scottsdale, AZ, told Cars Direct Daytonas will be slapped with a markup of at least $10k.

Markups Meet EV Transparency

The report suggests Dodge might have purposely built dealer profit into the Charger to avoid markups being applied, and because EVs tend to have more transparent prices. But if other dealers have the same attitude as the Arizona one in the story, the strategy has not worked.

Whether the Daytona EV can handle those kind of markups once the initial rush of excitement is over remains to be seen. Dodge might bring forward the introduction of the combustion-powered, six-cylinder Charger because that’s where customers are indicating they want to spend their money.

But presuming it is the electric version of the Charger you want and you can find a dealer who isn’t going to fleece you with a crazy markup, there are some good deals around that make it a tempting package. Dodge is offering $549 per month lease deals and giving buyers 0 percent APR for up to 72 months.

Soon after it was reported that Dodge would expedite the launch of the ICE-powered Charger Sixpack, unnamed sources revealed that pilot production of the new model has started in four-door guise.

The new-generation muscle car is being built at the group’s Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, and as many as 100 units are being produced daily. Dodge reportedly hopes to start delivering Charger Sixpack models to dealerships by the summer of 2025 and while it will arrive after the all-electric Charger Daytona, customers could pick up the keys to the ICE model some five months earlier than originally planned.

Read: Dodge Charger Sixpack Could Get New ZF 8-Speed Auto, But No Stick Shift

In mid-November, a pre-production Charger was spotted in public for the first time in two-door guise. The entry-level Charger Sixpack’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six will deliver 420 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm), while the flagship model will pump out 550 hp and 550 lb-ft (746 Nm). It’s unclear which variant that pre-production example was, but it looked quite nice in an all-black finish.

Dodge has kept plenty of the Charger Sixpack’s specifications under wraps and hasn’t even confirmed what transmission it will ship with. However, according to recent reports, Dodge will fit it with a new eight-speed transmission known as the 880RE. This ‘box is based on ZF’s fourth-generation design and will be built at the Stellantis Kokomo Transmission Plant. Not only does the new automatic work with ICE models, but it can also work with hybrids and plug-in hybrids, all while supporting up to 600 lb-ft (813 Nm) of torque. The new eight-speed is also suitable for rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and 4×4 configurations, meaning it could be used by other Dodge models in the future.

Mopar Insiders notes the new Charger Sixpack will land with all-wheel drive as standard. However, burnout enthusiasts shouldn’t fret, as the carmaker has confirmed it can be switched into rear-wheel drive mode at the touch of a button.

For well over a decade, some production cars have shown up to owners with electric door poppers. The technology isn’t exclusive to electric vehicles or exactly novel, either. The C5 Chevrolet Corvette has electronic door releases, as does the Dodge Viper.

In the USA, any car with this type of door release has to have a manual backup, and that’s where we find our problem today. Every automaker gets to decide where and how they’ll employ that manual backup. Let’s have a quick look at exactly where Dodge decided to put them on the new Charger Daytona.

More: Clueless Thief Trapped Inside Corvette C8 Begs Owner For Help

Carscoops was on hand at the Los Angeles Auto Show to see the new Charger Daytona. One thing we noticed right away was the door popper button in the cabin. It’s located on the side of the door card and passengers will likely use their thumb to smack it when they want to get out.

It also had us immediately wondering where the manual backup was. Here are a few photos of the door card. Take a moment and see if you can spot it. If you can’t find it, move on to the next as we get closer and closer to the handle.

Notice that the manual release is somewhat deep and far forward on the door card. From the driver’s seat, it is completely out of view. The new Jeep Wagoneer S has a similar design with a slightly easier-to-find and access manual release. It’s easy to see why some condemn handles like this. Will drivers unfamiliar with the car be able to get out in the case of a crash or power failure in the car?

That’s a real issue that many Tesla drivers have ended up complaining about. While, no doubt, it’s the responsibility of an adult driving a car to understand how to escape in case of emergency, it’s easy to understand why people end up confused by handles like this.

To Tesla’s credit, the front door manual release is typically right on top of the armrest, far more visible and easy to use than the one in the Dodge Charger Daytona. At the same time, the rear door release is sometimes under the carpet in the middle of the rear bench seat. That’s not simple or easy to find in an emergency.

This isn’t even a problem that needs to exist because some automakers like Lexus and Audi seem to have a very simple and elegant solution. Rather than present a button to pop the doors, they still use a physical handle. Pulling on it gently engages the electric door release. In case of emergency, a full hard pull on the exact same handle will actuate the physical backup and the door will open.

In some cases, the button that engages the electric release also is a handle that occupants can pull out to engage the manual release. Should door handles like those in Lexus and Audi products be required or should automakers have the freedom to add manual releases as they see fit? Tell us your thoughts below!

Image Credits: Stephen/Casey Rivers for Carscoops

While the jury is still out on whether Dodge jumped the gun and launched an all-electric muscle car before the market was ready, Stellantis has unveiled the four colors available at launch: Peelout (orange), Diamond Black, White Knuckle, and Bludicrous. Previously, it was believed that only three colors—Diamond Black, Triple Nickel, and White Knuckle—would be offered when the new Charger Daytona went on sale, but it seems plans have changed.

At the same time, Stellantis announced a new financing deal that could tempt power-hungry enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of the new electric muscle car rather than waiting for next summer (or fall) when the ICE-powered version with a turbocharged straight-six engine is expected to reach dealers.

Read: Dodge Tries To Woo Charger Daytona EV Lessees With Extra $1,000 Loyalty Discount

Buyers in the Northeast, Southern, and Central US can pick up the keys to the new EV with 0% financing for up to 72 months, a bulletin recently sent to dealers reveals. This promo will only run through until December 2, is a standalone offer that can’t be combined with other incentives, and only people with above-average credit will qualify. Moreover, it’s unclear whether those living on the West Coast will be able to take advantage of that deal.

However, it’s worth noting that Dodge has yet to confirm if the Charger Daytona is eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit when purchased. What we do know is that it’s eligible for the full credit when leased, meaning this could be a better option for some.

Additionally, Stellantis announced in October that 2024 Charger Daytona models qualify for a $1,000 loyalty discount for customers returning a leased Dodge vehicle. As Cars Direct points out, the automaker has yet to disclose how much it will cost to lease the electric muscle car.

More: Dodge Charger Daytona Is Already The EV To Beat For Resale Values

Those interested in purchasing the Dodge outright will need to shell out $61,590 for the entry-level R/T model. This version delivers 496 hp and 404 lb-ft (548 Nm) of torque—plenty of muscle for most buyers.

For those seeking even more power, the Daytona Charger is also offered in the Scat Pack configuration, which boosts output to 670 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm). Starting at $75,185, it’s a hefty price tag, but the performance backs it up. The Scat Pack rockets to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds and can tear through the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds.

Unfortunately, buyers will have to wait a bit longer to get behind the wheel than originally anticipated as production of the EV had yet to begin as of last week.

Stellantis has delayed the launch of several key EVs, choosing caution over haste as it looks to avoid the pitfalls of rushing unproven models to market. While a pragmatic move, it highlights the challenges the automaker faces as it navigates a rapidly shifting industry.

One of the most significant delays for the struggling carmaker is the Jeep Wagoneer S, a key model for the brand. Originally scheduled for a fall launch, it is now not expected to reach dealerships until the end of the year. Similarly, the production of the Dodge Charger Daytona has yet to begin, though dealerships still anticipate receiving their first units before the end of this year.

Read: Stellantis Reveals New STLA Frame Supporting EVs, Hybrids, Hydrogen, And ICE Trucks

Another delayed EV under the Stellantis umbrella is the Ram 1500 REV. The all-electric pickup truck, underpinned by the firm’s STLA Frame architecture, was first previewed in early 2023 and validation work continues to this day, pushing its launch back from late 2024 to 2025. According to Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares, the company doesn’t want to rush the launch of such an important model.

“We don’t want to take risks in terms of validation,” Tavares told Auto News. “It’s very important for Stellantis to demonstrate that we have all the capabilities and that we master the technology with a high level of durability, and that’s exactly what we are doing right now, so we don’t want to rush. It’s better to take a few weeks more to validate properly than to rush and then to make mistakes in terms of quality. That’s what we are doing now. We are validating and we are managing the peak between the products that we have ahead of us.”

But delays are only part of the equation. Stellantis faces an uphill battle with consumer skepticism around EVs, compounded by the potential rollback of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit under the incoming Trump administration. This would push prices higher, further complicating efforts to convince hesitant buyers. Tavares, however, remains bullish, believing that the driving experience itself will win over skeptics.

“It’s all about listening to the customer,” Tavares said. “They will ask us [for[ affordability. They will ask us to sell BEVs at the price of [gasoline vehicles] … At the end of the day, when I make the test drives of those [electric] vehicles, I always come with the same conclusion: It’s a better car.”

It’s a confident pitch, but one that ultimately rests on Stellantis’ ability to deliver. Whether buyers will share Tavares’ optimism when these delayed models finally hit the road remains an open question.

Depreciation is a fact of life, but what you buy has a big impact on resale values down the line. To help consumers, J.D. Power has released their 2025 U.S. ALG Residual Value Awards which highlight the vehicles that are projected to hold the highest percentage of their manufacturer’s suggested retail price after three years of ownership.

The winners aren’t exactly a surprise as Honda and Lexus walked away with top honors for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power’s Danny Battaglia credited part of this success to Honda’s pricing discipline as well as Lexus’ restraint on incentives, which can negatively impact resale values of older vehicles.

More: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

Besides being named the best premium brand, Lexus picked up the most model-level awards. Class honors went to the IS, LS, NX, RX, and TX. Their mainstream counterpart, Toyota, also picked up awards for the Camry and GR Supra as well as the Tundra and Land Cruiser.

Japanese models dominated the rankings as Honda scored wins for the Civic, Passport and Odyssey, while Subaru picked up accolades for the Crosstrek, Forester, and WRX. Other awards went to the Acura Integra and Nissan Kicks.

American brands might have played second fiddle, but GM racked up five wins. The Chevrolet Corvette was named the best “midsize premium sporty car,” while the Cadillac Escalade was the best large premium SUV. GMC also picked up awards for the Sierra 3500 HD as well as the Hummer EV Pickup and SUV.

Interestingly, the soon to be launched Dodge Charger Daytona was named the best electric car. While it remains to be seen what resale values will look like three years from now, electric coupes are virtually unheard of in America so the Charger Daytona doesn’t really have any competition.

Sticking with EVs, the Tesla Model 3 was dubbed the best premium electric car. The Hyundai Kona EV, on the other hand, was named best electric SUV.

Awards were also given to the BMW X1 and 5-Series, Jeep Gladiator and Wagoneer, and Kia Telluride. Mercedes’ only win was for the Sprinter, which took the commercial van class.

Update: A Dodge spokesperson responded to our inquiry, simply stating that they “have not made any new announcements regarding future product plans” for the launch of the gasoline-powered Charger. The response leaves room for some speculation, as it could be interpreted to mean that no official changes to the timeline have been communicated—neither confirming nor refuting the adjustments rumored by Mopar Insiders.

The automotive world is in a constant state of flux, with manufacturers scrambling to adapt to evolving regulations, market forces, and shifting customer tastes. Stellantis appears to be no exception. If a recent report is to be believed, the ICE-powered Dodge Charger featuring an inline-six engine may arrive sooner than originally planned, with a revised launch target rumored for mid-2025.

When Dodge revealed the new-generation Charger earlier this year, it announced plans to launch the electric Daytona before the end of 2024, followed by the ICE Charger Sixpack in Q1 2025. However, as is often the case in the auto industry, this timeline quickly fell apart. Shortly after the announcement, Dodge quietly pushed back the ICE Charger’s launch to “late 2025.”

More: How Does The 2024 Dodge Charger Coupe Compare To The Challenger?

Now, however, a sharp reversal seems to be in the works. According to Mopar Insiders, citing unnamed sources, Dodge has advanced the ICE Charger’s introduction by a full five months. The same sources suggest that Dodge has already assembled test mules of the Charger at the Windsor Assembly Plant, indicating that pilot production could begin as early as December 2024. If all goes according to plan, the first examples could hit U.S. dealerships by early summer 2025, rather than towards the end of the year.

We reached out to Stellantis for comment, but the company has yet to respond. Updates will follow as soon as (or if) they decide to weigh in.

If the report holds true, the decision to accelerate the ICE Charger’s rollout could stem from several factors, including Trump’s recent election as the next U.S. president, which some fear could disrupt EV incentives and emissions regulations. Another, perhaps less dramatic and more pragmatic, explanation could be the slower-than-expected EV adoption, particularly in the muscle car segment, which remains firmly tied to the visceral appeal of internal combustion. Additionally, pressure from dealerships to replace the Challenger with an ICE model may also be influencing the decision.

More: Dodge Tries To Woo Charger Daytona EV Lessees With Extra $1,000 Loyalty Discount

With the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro both consigned to the history books, the Ford Mustang is the only remaining ICE-powered muscle car on sale. Ford isn’t shy about its strategy either, stating that will keep the V8-powered Mustang in production for as long as possible, reveling in the absence of any direct competition from other American automakers. It remains to be seen if the six-cylinder Dodge Charger will be able to steal a portion of the pie when it arrives next year.

Under the hood, the Dodge Charger Sixpack will pack a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine, offered in two states of tune: 420 hp (426 PS) and a meatier 550 hp (558 PS). While its styling remains broadly consistent with the EV Charger Daytona, the ICE version stands apart with a few mild touches including extra bumper intakes, a bulging hood, and, of course, dual tailpipes.

Meanwhile, Dodge has already begun taking orders for the fully electric Charger Daytona as of mid-September 2024, with pricing starting at $59,595. First deliveries are penciled in for Q4 2024, although some rumors of development delays have raised questions about whether that timeline will hold.

Are Dodge and in particular Challenger die-hards actually clamoring to own the new Charger Daytona EV, or are they holding out for next year’s ICE variant with the inline-six turbo? Whether Dodge jumped the gun by venturing into the world of electric muscle cars too soon, or if it will reap the benefits of being the first, remains to be seen. For now, the company has been accepting orders for the new EV since September and will begin the first customer deliveries sometime this quarter.

For those curious to see what the Charger Daytona EV is all about but not quite ready to part with a hefty $61,590, leasing might be a more palatable option—especially with a new incentive Dodge just rolled out to sweeten the deal.

Read: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Starts At $59,595

A bulletin recently sent to Stellantis dealers reveals that 2024 Charger Daytona models are eligible for a $1,000 loyalty discount for customers returning a leased Dodge model. On top of that, Dodge has confirmed that the Daytona EV will also qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit that’s become a common incentive across the industry, giving lessees the same financial break as those who opt to purchase the car outright – thanks taxpayers!

What’s more, as Cars Direct reports, this loyalty discount isn’t limited strictly to the current lessee; it can be transferred to other members of the same household. Unfortunately, Dodge has yet to release the full leasing terms for the Charger Daytona, nor has it disclosed any financing deals, leaving interested shoppers to play the waiting game for those specifics.

What we do know is that the entry-level 2024 Charger Daytona R/T starts at $61,590 in the US, including a $1,995 destination fee. This model pumps out 496 hp and 404 lb-ft (548 Nm) of torque and includes the Direct Connection Stage 1 upgrade from the factory.

Those interested in more power can opt for the Charger Daytona Scat Pack. It starts at $75,185 and has the Direct Connection Stage 2 Upgrade as standard, resulting in an impressive 670 hp and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. This allows it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.3 seconds while powering down the quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds.

Solid-state batteries promise to revolutionize electric vehicles and Stellantis has announced they’ll be installed in the Dodge Charger Daytona by 2026. However, before you get too excited, these models will simply form a demonstration fleet.

The prototypes will have Factorial solid-state batteries with an energy density in excess of 390 Wh/kg. The companies didn’t reveal many other details, but said the batteries offer “substantial advantages” over their traditional lithium-ion counterparts. These include a “higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance, and a potential for further reduction in total vehicle cost over time.”

More: New Solid-State Batteries From Mercedes And Factorial Could Boost EV Range By 80%

That’s a winning combination, so the two companies are taking the next step towards commercialization. As part of this effort, the prototypes will be used to validate the battery technology and assess performance in real-world driving conditions.

Stellantis invested $75 million into Factorial in 2021 and the company’s Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Ned Curic, said “By integrating Factorial’s innovative battery solution into the STLA Large platform, we are validating its potential to enhance our electric vehicle lineup, ensuring customers benefit from improved performance, longer driving ranges and faster charging times in the coming years.”

Upgraded Wind Tunnel Focused On EV Aerodynamics

In other news, Stellantis unveiled a high-tech wind tunnel with “moving ground plane” technology at their research and development center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The automaker said the upgraded tunnel will enable them to “measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which can account for up to 10% of total real-world aerodynamic drag.”

This promises to make future EVs more aerodynamic, which will help to increase their range or allow for the use of smaller, cheaper batteries. Besides the focus on aerodynamics, there are technological improvements including an automation capability. As the automaker explained, “changes to wheelbase and track testing, which can take as much as two hours in conventional wind tunnels, can now be done in minutes.”

Given its presence in North America, it’s not surprising to learn this wind tunnel is focused on super-sized vehicles based on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms.