Dodge is charging into the electric vehicle (EV) arena with the highly anticipated 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee. Positioned as the halo model for the brand, this all-electric muscle car is poised to revolutionize perceptions of EV performance and potentially challenge the dominance of current leaders in the electric performance segment. While details surrounding the SRT Banshee remain shrouded in secrecy by Dodge, significant speculation and excitement are building around this groundbreaking vehicle, particularly when considering its potential rival: the Tesla Model S Plaid.
Tesla Model S Plaid: The Benchmark in Electric Speed
Image alt text: Side view of a 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid showcasing its sleek design and performance capabilities, a key competitor for the Dodge Banshee.
To fully appreciate the challenge Dodge is undertaking, it’s crucial to acknowledge the current king of the electric performance hill: the Tesla Model S Plaid. This all-electric sports sedan boasts a tri-motor, all-wheel-drive system that delivers an astonishing 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque. According to rigorous testing by MotorTrend, the Model S Plaid achieves 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 2.07 seconds (or an even quicker 1.98 seconds on a drag strip with preparation). Furthermore, it conquers the quarter-mile in a mere 9.31 seconds at 152.2 mph, ultimately reaching a top speed of 200 mph. For the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee to truly claim leadership in the electric muscle car domain, it must not only match but exceed these formidable performance figures.
The Promise of a Tri-Motor System for Dodge Banshee
Image alt text: Front three-quarter view of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept, highlighting its aggressive stance and futuristic design, hinting at its powerful electric drivetrain.
Rumors are strongly suggesting that the Dodge Banshee will adopt a tri-motor configuration, mirroring the setup found in the Tesla Model S Plaid. This speculation gains credibility when examining Stellantis’ existing technology, specifically the tri-motor system already implemented in the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. The GranTurismo Folgore utilizes an advanced 800-volt tri-motor system, incorporating three electric drive modules (EDMs) to produce a combined 761 horsepower and 995 lb.-ft. of torque.
Dodge’s parent company, Stellantis, has been actively developing a new family of EDMs that integrate the motor, transmission, and inverter into a single unit. The most potent of these, EDM #3, is engineered to deliver between 201 and 442 horsepower. Considering the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee will be built upon the STLA Large architecture, it’s highly probable that Dodge will leverage these cutting-edge EDMs in a tri-motor arrangement. This configuration could involve a single motor powering the front axle and two motors driving the rear wheels, maximizing both performance and traction for the Dodge Banshee.
Projecting the Power Output of the Banshee: Aiming for Hyper Performance
Image alt text: Close-up of the Direct Connection eStage kits display at SEMA, showcasing Dodge’s performance upgrade path for the Banshee, suggesting significant horsepower potential.
If Dodge equips the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee with a tri-motor system and incorporates the advanced Direct Connection eStage 2 performance upgrades specifically designed for the 800-volt Banshee architecture, the power output could reach an astounding 1,336 horsepower. Even if Dodge targets a slightly more conservative 1,072 horsepower for the initial Dodge Banshee model, it would still surpass the Tesla Model S Plaid in raw power. This leaves considerable headroom for Dodge to introduce even higher-performance variants of the Banshee in the future, escalating the electric muscle car arms race.
Initial Two-Door Offering and Anticipation for Future Models
Image alt text: Dynamic shot of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept in motion, emphasizing its sporty two-door coupe silhouette and hinting at its exhilarating driving experience.
Sources close to MoparInsiders.com suggest that the 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee will initially debut exclusively as a two-door model. While this may disappoint enthusiasts who favored the practicality of the outgoing four-door Charger SRT HELLCAT, this strategic decision aligns with Dodge’s history of staggered model introductions. For instance, the four-door Dodge Charger SRT HELLCAT Redeye didn’t emerge until two years after the initial debut of the HELLCAT engine in the Challenger. Therefore, a four-door variant of the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee could very well be in development and potentially arrive as early as 2026, expanding the Banshee lineup.
By setting its sights on exceeding the performance benchmarks established by the Tesla Model S Plaid, Dodge has a significant opportunity to redefine the essence of the muscle car for the electric age. With its anticipated tri-motor powertrain, advanced technology, and heritage of pushing performance boundaries, the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee has the potential to establish new paradigms for American automotive performance. Industry observers speculate that Dodge is aiming for a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time comparable to the astonishing 1.66-second mark achieved by the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. If Dodge can deliver on this promise, the Dodge Banshee will undoubtedly silence any remaining skeptics about the brand’s bold transition into the realm of electric performance and solidify its place at the forefront of the EV muscle car revolution.
