The idea of two American hallmarks of the automotive industry going all-electric might have sounded like a bad sci-fi subplot just a few decades ago, but here we are, watching it happen in real time. The Mustang Mach-E GT Performance and the Dodge Charger Daytona are taking their rivalry to the track in a U-drag race to determine which EV carries its weight (literally) better.

As a reminder, a U-drag race is exactly what it sounds like. At the end of a quarter-mile conventional drag race, the competitors have to turn around and race back to the start line as fast as they can. Essentially, the test helps us understand acceleration, braking, and handling in one convenient competition.

Read: Stellantis Halts Charger Daytona Production As It Temporarily Cuts 5,400 Jobs And Idles Plants

Our entrants are two of the most controversial American cars this side of a Tesla. First up, the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance, which delivers 480 horsepower (357 kW) and 700 lb-ft (948 Nm) of torque. It weighs in at around 4,950 pounds (2,245 kg), making it over 1,000 pounds (453 kg) lighter than its rival.

In the other corner, there’s the Dodge Charger Daytona, weighing in at a hefty 5,974 pounds (2,709 kg). Sure, it’s heavier – by a lot – but it makes up for it with sheer muscle. When the driver hits the special “Powershot” button, the Charger unleashes 670 horsepower (499 kW) and 630 lb-ft (853 Nm) of torque, turning that mass into serious forward momentum.

Numbers vs. Reality

Specs are nice, but we’re here for results. Off the line, the Mustang jumps ahead, its lighter weight helping it put its power down quicker. But it’s short-lived. The Dodge claws back ground almost immediately and overtakes before the first leg is over.

By the end of the quarter-mile, the Dodge is more than a full car length ahead. In the bend at the end, the Mustang is quicker to make the turn, but not quick enough. The Dodge has a large enough lead that it exits the corner ahead and stretches that lead to the finish line.

Round Two: Dodge Power, Ford Control

Race two goes largely the same way, but with one notable change: the Charger struggles during the braking segment and nearly moves into the Mustang’s lane. The consensus is uniform; the Charger is faster, but much more unruly. It feels like an old-school muscle car, says one host.

Of course, that’s not really a good thing in this case. It’s not the performance that we all love about old-school muscle cars, but rather the unwieldy nature that the new Charger mimics. That sounds like it’s in line with other comments we’ve heard about it. Hopefully, we’ll get our first chance to drive one soon.

For now, the Charger wins on speed, but the Mustang makes a case for balance – just not enough of one to cross the line first.

Credit: Edmunds

One of the best things about owning a V8-powered muscle car is the usually intoxicating exhaust sound. The old Dodge Challenger had a particularly incredible roar on a cold start, and Dodge looks to have tried to replicate the experience with the new all-electric Charger Daytona. Has it done a good job? We’ll let you be the judge of that.

After perusing the net, we’ve found a few videos that nicely capture the “cold start” (more like power-up) of the Charger EV, which can be switched on remotely with the key fob. It uses the controversial Fratzonic ‘exhaust’ to try and replicate the sound of a V8 muscle car.

Watch: Dodge Charger Daytona EV Smokes 797HP Challenger Hellcat Redeye To 60 MPH

Hyundai arguably pioneered the use of fake ICE sounds in high-performance EVs with its widely-praised Ioniq 5 N. Dodge aimed to replicate this with the Fratzonic system, but it hasn’t received the same kind of praise Hyundai’s system has. This is probably because whereas the Ioniq 5 has no ICE predecessor, the Charger Daytona has to somehow fill in the shoes of one of the most beloved muscle cars, which, in recent years, has been sold with burbly V8 engines producing up to 1,025 hp.

Given Dodge’s history of building incredible muscle cars, releasing an EV was always going to cause controversy, and trying to make it sound like a V8 has naturally drawn comparisons with real eight-cylinder behemoths.

Obviously, the Charger Daytona’s “cold start” feature doesn’t sound as good as a V8, certainly not on video. Personally, I don’t think it sounds terrible, and it’s a little more interesting and engaging than having no sound at all. Dodge may not have failed to replicate the thrills of the old Challenger with its new-generation muscle car, but at least it tried to make something appealing for enthusiasts. After all, most EVs on the market feel like refrigerators on wheels and don’t even have the tiniest bit of emotion.

@appleautos This things actually super loud. #dodge #charger #hellcat #hellcatcharger #hellcatchallenger #hellcatredeye #demon #dodgedemon #challengerhellcat #chargerhellcat #supercharged #coldstart #loud #ev #newcar #carguy #cartok #carsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Apple Autos