If there’s one thing keeping muscle car enthusiasts hesitant from switching from petrol to batteries, it’s the lack of sound an electric car makes. (There are probably loads more reasons, but that’s for another day).
Most of the EVs being announced on a seemingly daily basis now are either SUVs, crossovers or sporty-looking coupes. But the lads at Dodge are bringing something new to the electric world in 2024 – a muscle car.
We had teaser shots when the car was first announced last year, and nothing new has really come to light. If anything, the photo we do have resembles something of a late ’60s charger.
But it’s still electric, and electric cars make little sound.
So, to entice potential consumers, Dodge has insisted its electric muscle car must sound like a muscle car. We don’t have any clips yet, but Stellantis (stealing all the news today, it seems) have promised the car will have such a distinct tone it will massively surprise everyone.
“We are creating a sound you cannot imagine,” CEO Carlos Tavares said. “It’s shocking.
“After they create the sound, they are thinking about how they make the sound louder and more powerful in function of the way you are using the car.”
And how do you use a muscle car?
Well, according to Tavares, the answer is burnouts and donuts.
“The market research says young customers in their thirties are open to making donuts and burnouts with an electric muscle. Completely open.”
Back to the subject of sound, the electric Dodge is being designed so the sound volume rises and falls with throttle input.
Obviously, the sound will be fake. Most vacuum cleaners have a louder hum than your run-of-the-mill EV. But Tavares said if the driving experience is enjoyable, most consumers won’t care if what they are driving is electric.
“The research is telling us, ‘if I can have this thrilling experience with an electric powertrain, who cares?”
Dodge has promised a reveal of the electric muscle car sometime this year. They also guaranteed we would “hit the floor” once we saw it for the first time.
Big words and only time can give us the answer.
