The sound that Dodge touted with its Charger Daytona SRT concept isn’t finished yet. Brand CEO Tim Kuniskis revealed on the latest episode of Autoline After Hours that the automaker is constantly tweaking and perfecting the sound of cars’ Fratzonic exhaust systems.
Dodge created an algorithm that moves air through the speaker box with chambers, plenums, pipes and exhaust ducts exiting the rear of the vehicle. “The air coming out of the back of the car is important,” Kuniskis said of the design. He made the comment at 3:30 pm. The video starts at the 14th minute.
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There is a spatial difference between hearing the exhaust sound through the speakers in the vehicle and hearing the exhaust sound coming from the back of the car due to moving air. Kuniskis likens it to hearing surround sound for the first time.
Dodge designed the Banshee powertrain’s wailing exhaust note to be intentionally polarized. According to the company, the sound can go as high as 126 dB, which is as loud as the Hellcat V8 and something that doesn’t translate well over video. At idle, there’s an underlying bass track that’s a burn sequence from the Hemi V8, tying a bit of the brand’s heritage into the futuristic model.
After a solid decade of producing high-powered V8s, Dodge’s shift to EVs will be big, and the brand is using its Fratzonic exhaust system and Banshee powertrain to stand out from other EV makers.
It’s still unclear whether the Charger Daytona SRT previewed the production model, but the Charger and Challenger ended production in December 2023, and Dodge is doubtful about leaving the nameplate. The Dodge concept that was revealed in August was striking, with a design that took definite cues from the company’s history, paying homage to the two-door model from 1968 to 1970. Inside, the concept looked ready to roll out onto the assembly line, with 12,3- inch infotainment screen and 16-inch digital instrument cluster.
If Dodge continues to refine the Charger Daytona SRT exhaust note, then we imagine some aspects will end up in future production vehicles. The next Charger and Challenger is the EV. This is a creative way to differentiate a vehicle from others that produces artificial vehicle sound through speakers.
