Dodge Charger EV's ‘exhaust’ noise teased, fans unhappy

Dodge’s decision to drop its Hemi V8 and offer electric power in its Charger met a mixed reception, and V8 fans don’t appear to be any more welcoming of attempts to make the electric vehicle (EV) sound combustion-powered.

When the covers came off the electric Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept in August 2022, the company said the production model wouldn’t lose the resonating sounds from the old 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8.

It planned to keep the noise by fitting a “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust”, pushing sound out through an amplifier and tuning chamber at up to 126dB.

With the production model’s debut looming, Dodge took to social media to show its fans what to expect from the exhaust by uploading a quick clip of the Charger driving through a tunnel.

The noise builds as it gets closer to the camera, though with no gear changes it sounds like it’s not accelerating hard, and a slight electric whine in the background gives away its true power source.

As to be expected from such a passionate fanbase, commenters took the opportunity to mock the fake sounds, calling for the return of the V8 and generally mocking its aspirations as an electric muscle car.

It’s not all bad news for Charger fans who want to stick with petrol power, as the model – to be offered as both a coupe and sedan – will be offered in the US next year with a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six ‘Hurricane’ engine.

MORE: Dodge Charger Daytona: Electric muscle car debuts, sedan and six-cylinder due 2025 MORE: Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept muscle EV revealed