Category: Rumors

The startup is seeking partnerships for its online marketplace for extended car warranties and vehicle service contracts

The rise and impact of fraud in the automotive industry has significant implications for both consumers and auto retailers. It is imperative to combat fraud across each step of the car-buying journey.

DARCARS denies the allegations filed in a Maryland Attorney General statement of charges in July.

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I don’t envy the marketing team at Dodge. Getting owners of any popular model to go fully electric can be a tough proposition; cars like the Volvo EX90 and Porsche Macan seem promising, but not every loyalist is going to be fully onboard with an EV future quite yet. Arguably no automaker has a tougher task than Dodge, which will soon aim to sell some of the most hardcore, gas-crazed, V8-loving American gearheads on electric power when the Dodge Charger Daytona gets an electric option. 

And Dodge may end up having to sell the Mopar faithful on paying quite a bit more than they have for these cars in the past.

A newly reported price leak over at Mopar Insiders—originally sourced from YouTube’s Butter Da Insider—claims that the new Charger Daytona EV models could cost some $15,000 more than their outgoing, Hemi V8-powered counterparts. And while the EVs do represent an extremely impressive performance bump over the gas cars, they could now end up ceasing to be the affordable everyperson muscle cars they are now. 

The official pricing of the Charger Daytona EV sedan and coupe haven’t been announced yet. But this reported leak claims that the launch edition Daytona R/T Configuration 1 could start around $68,570. Meanwhile, upgrading to the Daytona Scat Pack could set you back $82,170. 

That’s a big jump over the current V8 cars. Right now, you could get a Challenger R/T starting at around $42,000; upgrade to a Scat Pack with more power and better options for $50,680; or score a 797-horsepower SRT Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak starting at $82,895.

(As a side note, I had no idea the names of these things had become so absurd. Redeye Jailbreak! What a time to be alive.) 

But as with all things EVs, there are some caveats here. First and foremost, these are almost assuredly just “launch edition” prices for the electric Charger; like the new Jeep Wagoneer S, it’s sure to debut some more loaded, collector’s item-style packages at launch before cheaper models inevitably trickle out. I fully expect prices to go up and down as Dodge finds ways to offer the new Charger at better prices, as well as more extreme ones. 

Additionally, Dodge is sure to make the performance argument with these cars, whether the V8 superfans want to hear it or not. Designed to “surpass [the] legendary V8 performance,” the new Charger Daytona EV has 670 horsepower out of the gate and is expected to hit 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds in Scat Pack form. If so, that’s a full tick quicker than the aforementioned Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak, no doubt thanks to the traction advantage since it’s dual-motor all-wheel-drive. 

In all honestly—and I’m clearly biased here—the electric Charger Daytona seems pretty badass. It looks excellent in coupe and sedan form, has some interesting gimmicks like a simulated exhaust sound, and promises a very decent 317-mile range from its 100.5-kWh gross (93.4-kWh net) battery pack. The more powerful Scat Pack should do 260 miles on a full charge. 

Honestly, it all sounds quite a bit more interesting and compelling than the version with the forthcoming twin-turbo inline-six; if people wanted a BMW, they’d get a BMW, right? But it’s going to be up to Dodge to sell its fans on what an EV can do. With any luck, it’ll start at the top and then work its way down to lots more everyday customers.

We reached out to Dodge for confirmation and will update if we hear back.

*Update: The official pricing has been released Those details are listed below.

Dodge just confirmed pricing for the Charger Daytona EV. The 2024 Charger Daytona R/T will start at $61,950, while the Scat Pack will cost $75,185. The Scat Pack comes with a standard “Track Package” that includes Brembo fixed-piston brakes, adaptive dampers, and upgraded seats. Option packages include the $4,995 Plus Group and a Sun and Sound Package for $2,495.

The Charger Daytona R/T will come standard with the “Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade Package.” This version puts out 496 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque  The Scat Pack will get a “Stage 2” package with 670 hp and 627 lb-ft.

There may be a cheaper base version without the “Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade Package” offered later on.

Both trims will qualify for a $7,500 tax credit when leased, but it seems unlikely that the credit will be available if the vehicle is purchased.

Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com

General Motors tweaks its employee evaluations to reward top performers. Honda, Subaru and Mazda reported growing sales in July, while Ford was off just a little. GPB Capital ends with securities fraud convictions. Lithia Motors gets a new COO. And electric vehicles help spur growth in the leasing market.

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With the Volvo EX30 being delayed in the United States until next year due to the hiked import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, American buyers have a pretty thin selection of battery-powered sub-compact crossovers.

The Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV are some, if not all of those choices, but they might soon have a contender trying to get a cut of their market in the form of the Alfa Romeo Junior, formerly known as the Milano.

According to Automotive News Europe, the Italian automaker will meet with its U.S. dealers to gauge the potential for the all-electric, go-fast Junior Veloce on the American market, but not in all states.

Instead, the Stellantis-owned manufacturer will focus on California, Florida and other states that follow California’s emissions rules and generally have a pretty well-sorted EV charging infrastructure and an increased appetite for battery-powered cars.

Built in Poland, the Alfa Romeo Junior in Veloce trim is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that makes 281 horsepower–41 hp more than originally announced–allowing the Jeep Avenger’s cousin to sprint from zero to 62 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds. In Europe, there’s also a base Junior with a 156 hp electric drivetrain, with a hybrid set to join the lineup at a later date.

Both all-electric versions are powered by the same 54-kilowatt-hour battery pack which enables an estimated driving range of about 205 miles on the WLTP cycle for the potentially U.S.-bound Junior Veloce.

If it arrives stateside, Alfa’s entry-level EV would have some convincing to do. In Italy, the Veloce costs the equivalent of $52,000, including shipping and taxes, which would equate to a price of around $42,000 in the U.S. without shipping. By comparison, the entry-level 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE that has 133 hp goes for about $34,000, while the range-topping Limited with 201 hp starts at roughly $42,500 including shipping charges.

In the first half of the year, Alfa Romeo, which currently offers three models in the United States, recorded sales of just 4,777 units. With the Junior EV, the company could have a “window of opportunity” for U.S. sales, according to Daniele Tiago Guzzafame, Alfa Romeo’s head of product. At least until the Volvo EX30 starts being imported from Belgium, that is.

But what do you think? Would you spend your hard-earned money on a battery-powered Alfa Romeo? Let us know in the comments below.