4 Minutes
Electric Charger Daytona Shows Muscle at Mission Raceway Park
The new Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Stage 2 made a loud statement at Mission Raceway Park in British Columbia, squarely demonstrating how an electrified Mopar can outperform both modern and classic V8 rivals on the quarter-mile. The white Daytona—complete with graphite wheels and crimson brake calipers—was filmed by the Wheels YouTube channel as it took on a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and a burgundy Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in back-to-back drag races.
Design and Presence
The Daytona fastback coupe carries forward the aggressive, broad-shouldered silhouette Dodge customers expect. Visually the Stage 2 in white looked imposing next to the black Camaro ZL1 and significantly larger than the older Firebird. Signature details such as the flush rear glass, wide track stance, and prominent aero elements emphasize both style and function. The contrast of graphite wheels and red brake calipers underscores the performance intent while maintaining contemporary electric-vehicle (EV) flair.
Vehicle Specifications
Key specs — Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Stage 2
- Platform: Stellantis STLA Large (all-electric)
- Power output: 670 hp (Scat Pack Stage 2)
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (electric)
- Notable features: High-performance traction control, launch-optimized torque delivery
For context, the Camaro ZL1 remains a high-output, supercharged V8 performance car. The Pontiac Trans Am in the video is a second-generation classic with a lighter, older-school powertrain and chassis tuned for a different era of muscle car driving.
Performance and Dragstrip Results
The footage shows a clear advantage for the EV Charger when traction and mid-range acceleration matter. In the first run the Daytona clocked an 11.55-second quarter-mile at nearly 120 mph, while the Camaro ZL1 ran a 12.74-second pass at 114 mph. The Camaro provides visceral V8 theatrics—spitting flames on shifts and delivering that classic sound—but the instant torque and AWD grip of the Dodge translated to a decisive win.
Against the classic Trans Am, the difference was even starker. Although the Pontiac launched strongly off the line—possibly aided by a more aggressive reaction time from the driver—the Charger quickly closed the gap and finished in 11.51 seconds versus the Trans Am’s 13.57 seconds. The result underlines the advantages of electric power delivery, traction control, and higher sustained speeds through the traps.
Market Positioning and Context
Stellantis’ decision to pivot Dodge toward electrification and adopt the STLA Large architecture has been controversial, especially as it marks the end of the Hemi era for the Challenger and Charger nameplates. Dodge introduced the Daytona EV variants first, followed by R/T and Scat Pack derivatives. Sales and market reactions have been mixed; Dodge even paused the base R/T for the 2026 model year while finalizing pricing and availability for sedan and Sixpack models arriving later in the year. The Scat Pack Stage 2, with its rare combination of high output and bold styling, functions as a halo model to draw interest from traditional muscle buyers and new EV enthusiasts alike.
ICE vs. EV: What These Runs Reveal
These matchups aren’t just about bragging rights: they highlight how EV technology changes the performance equation. Internal combustion (ICE) cars like the Camaro ZL1 still excel at auditory drama and linear power curves, and classic cars deliver nostalgia and lighter curb weights. But the Charger Daytona’s instant torque, AWD traction, and sustained acceleration make it exceptionally effective in short, high-speed sprints.
Whether you value old-school V8 noise and character or modern electric acceleration and convenience will guide your choice. After these runs, the question remains: would you take home the thunderous, flame-spitting Camaro, the nostalgic Trans Am, or the new-age Charger Daytona Scat Pack Stage 2?
Comments