Here's a tip worth more than any spec sheet: on your first Charger Daytona drive, ease onto the throttle from a stop before you try a hard launch, because the electric punch shows up so fast it catches V8 drivers off guard. At Town & Country Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Levittown, we sell both the gas Charger and the electric Daytona. The question we hear most is simple: what does the electric one actually feel like? Here's how it works, piece by piece, in plain English.
- Why electric power feels different
- How the dual-motor setup makes power
- What eRupt simulated shifting feels like
- The Fratzonic exhaust: sound on purpose
- Direct Connection performance packages explained
- How it compares to the outgoing V8 feel
- Charging considerations for daily driving
- What to do next
- Key takeaways
Why electric power feels different
A gas engine has to build revs before it makes its best pull. You press the pedal, the engine spins up, the transmission picks a gear, and the shove grows from there. That buildup is a big part of the drama people love about a V8.
An electric motor skips the warm-up. It makes strong torque from a standstill, so the moment your foot moves, the car moves. You never wait for the tach to climb or for a downshift before a pass.
You'll notice that in everyday spots more than at a drag strip:
- Pulling out of a side street onto Hempstead Turnpike when the gap is tight
- Merging onto the Wantagh or Southern State from a short ramp
- Passing a slow truck on the LIE without planning it several seconds ahead
It also changes how you drive smoothly. Because response is so direct, a heavy right foot in stop-and-go traffic can feel jerky. Most new owners settle into a lighter touch within a week or so. After that, the car stays calm until you ask for more.
How the dual-motor setup makes power
The Daytona uses two electric motors, one at each axle. That gives you all-wheel drive without a long driveshaft running front to back like a traditional AWD system needs. Software decides many times a second how much power goes to each end of the car.
Why should you care? Splitting the work between front and rear wheels lets the car put its power down without spinning the rear tires every time you get eager. On a wet morning in Levittown, or on a cold day when the pavement is slick, that's the difference between a clean launch and a sideways wiggle.
Where the battery fits in
A large battery pack sits low in the floor between the axles. Keeping that mass down low lowers the center of gravity, which helps the car feel planted through quick direction changes like a tight cloverleaf ramp.
You'll feel the battery's weight too, as a solid, heavy-footed ride rather than a light, darty one. Depending on trim, Dodge adds tools like a push-button power boost and launch control, and we can point out which ones a given car in our new inventory has.
What eRupt simulated shifting feels like
Most electric cars use a single-speed drive, so acceleration is one long, smooth surge. Dodge went another way. The eRupt multi-speed transmission simulates gear changes, briefly easing and then reapplying power so you feel a shift, the same rhythm you'd get from an automatic in a gas muscle car.
No real gearbox is swapping gears here. Software shapes the motor output to mimic that feel. So the effect is about character rather than efficiency, and you get some say in how much of it you want.
Here's how it tends to play out:
- In calmer drive modes, you get the smooth, uninterrupted pull most EVs have.
- In sportier modes, the simulated shifts come in, giving acceleration a stepped, punchy cadence.
- You can change modes as you go, so a commute stays mellow and a weekend drive gets the full effect.
Some drivers love it right away because it brings back that sense of a car working through its gears. Others treat it as a novelty and leave it off for the daily grind. Try both ways on your drive, because your preference here is personal and there's no wrong answer.
The Fratzonic exhaust: sound on purpose
Silence is the first thing people notice in most EVs. Dodge decided a Charger shouldn't be quiet, so the Daytona gets the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust. Nothing is burning back there. A speaker-and-chamber system pushes a deep, engineered sound out the rear, tied to how hard you're accelerating.
The point is feedback. In a V8, sound tells you how hard the car is working, and without it, speed can sneak up on you. Fratzonic rises and falls with your throttle, so your ears stay part of the driving experience.
What it sounds like in real life
It isn't a recording of a Hemi, and it doesn't pretend to be. Expect something bold and a little sci-fi, loud enough that people on the sidewalk turn their heads. Volume and character shift with drive modes, so you can keep things civil pulling into your driveway at night and turn it up when you want the show.
If sound was a big reason you loved the old Charger, give it extra attention on your drive. Have someone pull away while you listen from outside too, since that's how your neighbors will hear it.
Direct Connection performance packages explained
Direct Connection is Dodge's in-house performance parts brand, a name with deep roots in Mopar drag racing. With the Daytona, it takes a new form: performance upgrades that unlock more output from the electric motors, offered in stages.
Rather than bolting on a new intake or cam, an electric upgrade is largely calibration. So the car you buy can have room to grow, and moving up a stage doesn't mean tearing into the drivetrain.
A few practical points before you count on one:
- What's available depends on the trim you start with, so choose your car with the upgrade in mind.
- Ask how a given stage affects warranty coverage before you buy it.
- Have installation and programming done by a dealer that knows the platform.
That last point is where we fit in. Town & Country offers service and parts support after the purchase, so if you add a Direct Connection kit later, you have a place to sort out the details. Our advisors can tell you which stages suit your trim, and you can order through our parts team when you're ready.
How it compares to the outgoing V8 feel
Here's the honest version. Coming out of a Hemi Charger, you'll find the Daytona quicker off the line and more composed, but different in spirit.
What you gain
Response is immediate at any speed, with no waiting for a downshift. All-wheel drive helps on wet Long Island roads in a way a rear-drive V8 never could. Around town it's quieter and smoother, and you skip the gas station on the way to work.
What changes
A V8 builds. It rumbles at idle, gets louder and angrier as revs climb, and rewards you for winding it out. With the Daytona, most of the drama lands right away, and its sound, while bold, comes from a different place. Extra weight shows up in tight corners and over rough pavement.
Plenty of longtime muscle-car fans find their first drive surprising in a good way. Others still prefer the old feel, and that's fair. Since we sell both, you can book a test drive in each one back to back and trust your own seat-of-the-pants judgment.
Charging considerations for daily driving
Owning an EV is easiest when you can charge where you sleep. If you have a garage or driveway in Levittown, a Level 2 home charger is the setup most owners land on. Plug in at night, wake up with the range you need, and you rarely think about it.
A regular household outlet works in a pinch, but it's slow, better for topping off than refilling. Installing a Level 2 unit usually takes a licensed electrician and sometimes a panel upgrade, so get a quote before you take delivery.
If you don't have a driveway
Apartments and condos make things trickier. Look at what's near your job, your grocery store or your gym, and ask whether your building plans to add chargers. DC fast charging along the highways is great for road trips, but leaning on it daily costs more and takes planning.
Driving style and weather
Two things drain range faster than people expect: hard launches and cold weather. Enjoying that instant torque uses more energy, and a January morning on Long Island takes its own bite. Preconditioning the cabin while plugged in helps, and charging soon becomes routine.
What to do next
If the Daytona sounds like your kind of car, the best next step is seat time. Reading about torque and simulated shifts only gets you so far.
A simple plan for your visit:
- Ask for a route with a real highway merge, not just local streets.
- Try a gentle start and a hard one, in both a calm mode and a sport mode.
- Listen to Fratzonic from inside and outside the car.
- Ask about Direct Connection stages for the trim you're eyeing.
- Bring a rough idea of where you'd charge.
Running the numbers
Before you come in, our payment calculators and shopping tools can show you what a monthly payment might look like, and you can explore financing options ahead of time. Approval and terms depend on your credit and the lender, so treat any estimate as a starting point. Trading in your current car? Get a value first so you know where you stand.
It's also worth browsing what we've collected as "Only at TC Jeep" for the dealership-specific reasons people choose to buy here. Then stop by Town & Country Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram in Levittown and take one out.
Levittown, NY
- Electric motors pull hard from a standstill, so the Daytona's punch comes the moment you press the pedal instead of building with revs.
- eRupt shifting and Fratzonic sound are there to keep the car feeling like a Charger, and you can dial them up or down to suit your mood.
- Daily life with a Daytona is easiest with home charging, so sort out where you'll plug in before you buy.
FAQ Common questionsDoes the Charger Daytona need oil changes?No engine oil changes, since there's no engine. It still needs regular care like tire rotations, brake checks, cabin air filters and fluid service on its own schedule, and our service team can walk you through what that looks like. How does the Daytona handle Long Island winters?Dual motors give it all-wheel drive, which helps on wet or slick roads, especially with good winter tires. Cold weather does reduce range, so plan on charging a bit more often in January and use preconditioning while the car is plugged in. Can I turn the Fratzonic sound down?Yes, the sound changes with drive modes, so you can keep it calmer for late-night arrivals and turn it up when you want the full effect. Try the different modes on your test drive to hear the range for yourself. |
Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Or call (516) 271-3278 · 3156 Hempstead Tpke, Levittown |