Dodge has demonstrated to visitors of the 2023 Chicago motor show a “second draft” of what it calls its “industry-first BEV exhaust”.
Previewed on the Dodge Charger SRT Daytona concept, the sound now features a low-end frequency and rumbles and reaches 126 decibels – as loud as a supercharged V8-powered Challenger or Charger Hellcat.
The exhaust appears to sound more like a V8-powered muscle car and less electrified in comparison to the initial concept.
The Fratzonic system works as an external speaker that connects to the throttle position and speed of the vehicle, pushing sound out through a rear outlet.
The production Charger SRT Daytona isn’t scheduled to start rolling off the factory line until 2024, and more revisions of the exhaust may come before then.
Although Dodge is not the only brand to patent an exhaust for its EV vehicles, it calls the Fratzonic system an industry-first.
Ferrari filed a patent for a similar system early this year.
In a filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) found by CarBuzz, Ferrari has patented a system that will “allow the driver and the passengers to enjoy, inside the passenger compartment, a quality sound which… is very pleasant for them”.
Ferrari claims a reproduction device will extract sounds from the electric motor or another “mechanical resonant element”, such as an axle, gearbox, differential or wheel rim.
The company says the sound can be diffused into the passenger compartment and/or outside the vehicle “so as to recall the sensation generated by the dynamics of an internal combustion engine”.
Nine powertrain outputs are expected to feature in the line-up of Dodge’s production EV.
The first powertrain produces 340kW of power and features a 400V electrical system, with eStage 1 and eStage 2 upgrades bumping outputs to 370kW and 400kW, respectively.
The second will produce 400kW of power and use a 400V electrical system. eStage 1 and eStage 2 boosts can increase the outputs to 470kW and 500kW, respectively.
Dodge hasn’t disclosed outputs for the wildest Charger SRT Daytona, but has teased an 800V SRT Banshee powertrain package that will be offered with its own stage upgrades.
Parent company Stellantis has previously indicated vehicles on the Charger SRT Daytona’s STLA Large platform will support single- and dual-motor electric powertrains with outputs of up to 660kW.
That’s more than even the 603kW-626kW outputs of the outgoing Challenger SRT Demon.
The company also confirmed the following details for the concept:
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive for all variants
- R-wing aerodynamic pass through front spoiler which serves to enhance downforce
- eRupt multi-speed transmission providing an electro-mechanical shifting experience
- Four drive modes: auto, sport, track and drag
Current Challenger
The production model will share its new STLA Large platform with upcoming EVs like the Jeep Recon and Wagoneer S, and replace the outgoing Challenger and Charger that are being sent off with special Last Call editions.
The new platform can support battery capacities of between 101-118kWh, which can facilitate a maximum range of 800km.
Dodge has confirmed this platform will also support combustion powertrains, though hasn’t announced any plans to fit these.
