Dodge is ditching the HEMI V8 and will instead roll out muscle cars with either a downsized engine or fully electric powertrain. The Dodge Charger Daytona will be the electric car with a HEMI sound.
Usually, electric cars are quiet. Carmakers must indeed fit the car with a module that makes noise at low speeds to alert pedestrians of the presence of the EV. Yet, at high speeds, they are as quiet as a mouse. But not the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT. The model will sport a sophisticated system that will produce engine sound. The information was revealed in a patent application for the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust system.
The patent document shows that the Dodge Charger Daytona, previewed by the Charger Daytona concept last year, will be equipped with a series of chambers specifically developed to make the car sound like it still has the HEMI.
Unlike the usual EVs, the Charger Daytona will have tailpipes like any car with an internal combustion engine, which will let out the sound produced by woofers and mid-range speakers to replicate the sound of a real engine. According to Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, the maximum volume will be 126 decibels, which is as loud as the Hellcat V8.
The system makes use of digital sounds with some basic filtering, but uses the tuned exhaust assembly to fine-tune the sound in the acoustic domain instead of the digital domain, which creates a more authentic sound, the document explains.
Furthermore, according to the filing uncovered by AmericanCarsAndRacing.com, Dodge will fit some "force generators" integrated into the chassis, designed to produce vibrations that will be felt in the steering wheel and seats, in sync with the faux 'exhaust,' speed, and powertrain, trying to convince the driver that there is actually an ICE powering their car.
Power will be delivered to all four corners via the eRupt transmission, which will also provide a similar feeling to that offered by the gearboxes that are fitted to ICEs, simulating gear shifts, an operation that does not actually happen in an EV, which usually feature a one-speed transmission.
Dodge gave the HEMI-powered Charger and Challenger a proper send-off. The carmaker launched the Last Call special editions, available for a limited period of time. The V8 will be phased out before the end of the year.
Dodge is yet to confirm the launch date of the next-generation Charger and Challenger. The Daytona will be just one version in the lineup, as the carmaker will also roll out ICE-powered versions, set in motion by the V6 Hurricane in-line six engine that debuted with the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer and delivers 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft in the base variant or 510 horsepower and 500 lb-ft in the range-topping one,
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