- Dodge has posted a video on social media showing off the faux exhaust sound of the new Charger Daytona EV.
- The “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” emits a roar that does an impressive job of imitating a V-8 engine.
- The Charger Daytona also has a Stealth mode for drivers who prefer subtlety.
Over the past two decades, the Dodge Charger has gained notoriety for its aggressive looks, tire-spinning power figures, and, most notably, its V-8 roar. When Dodge unveiled the Charger Daytona EV in March, the new electric car checked off two of those boxes, with a square-jawed face and a maximum output of 670 horsepower. But the question remained as to what the Charger Daytona would sound like, with the original 2022 concept boasting a “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust” that promised head-turning levels of noise despite its electric powertrain.
Now we have an answer. Dodge has posted a video on social media showing a production-spec Charger Daytona zipping under an overpass, giving us a taste of the aural experience the Charger Daytona will provide once sales kick off later this year. And unsurprisingly, while the noise is artificial, it sounds quite a bit like a V-8 engine.
This synthetic soundtrack is produced by the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Although Dodge hasn’t revealed much about how the system works, we know it utilizes two passive radiators to create a noise that amps up as speed builds. The original concept was said to be capable of producing 126 decibels, but it’s unclear if that degree of noise will be available on the production vehicle. Regardless, it will likely run afoul of noise restrictions that have popped up in certain cities, such as New York City.
Still, from the video, the “exhaust” certainly sounds deafening. If we were to hear it without any context, we have to admit we could be fooled into believing it is the sound of a gas-powered car. There’s even a slight high-pitched whine as the Charger Daytona begins its acceleration, which seems to reference both the whir of electric motors and the wail of a supercharger.
For those who prefer the silence of an EV, choosing Stealth mode will turn off the Fratzonic system.
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
