- 5th "Last Call" special edition send-off for Charger and Challenger models
- Based on Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody with 807-horsepower tune
- Limited to just 300 units
- Takes inspiration from the West Coast drag racing scene in the 1960s
The seventh-generation Dodge Charger has been with us since 2011, and its retro-modern looks have come full circle and can be considered retro once mode. That hasn't stopped Dodge from flogging this muscular horse for all its worth, and now that the Charger is on its last call, the company is churning out special editions to celebrate the end of this Hemi-powered era; in fact, Dodge plans to debut seven new special editions for the final production year of the Charger and Challenger, culminating in one mega reveal at the 2022 SEMA Show.
Thus far, we've seen the return of the Challenger Shakedown, the drag-ready Charger Super Bee, and the naively named Charger and Challenger Swinger editions. Each of these was based on the Scat Pack derivatives, which left us thinking all Last Call models would be based on the 485-hp V8-powered option. Not so.
The latest addition is the Dodge Charger King Daytona, reviving a classic name from the 1960s West Coast drag racing scene and applying it to the most powerful Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody around.
The 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona should prove to be popular amongst hardcore Dodge fans, as it traces its roots back to the drag racing scene of the 1960 and 1970s on the West Coast, and more specifically to William "Big Willie" Robinson, who not only dominated the drag strip but kept racers off the street with his 1969 Dodge Charger named "King Daytona."
We'll get to the visual upgrades in a moment, but it's important to note that this special edition is based on the Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Instead of the stock car's 797 horsepower, however, the King Daytona packs an extra 10 hp for outputs of 807 hp, while torque remains the same at 707 lb-ft.
The modern tribute to Big Willie's Charger sports massive performance and a classic Go Mango exterior with unique orange accents.
The exterior features Satin Black King Daytona rear fender graphics, 20-inch Satin Carbon Speed wheels, Satin Chrome exterior badging, Orange six-piston Brembo brakes, and a Mopar hood pin kit.
Inside, you get Black Nappa/Alcantara "Daytona" seats with orange stitching, a special King Daytona interior instrument panel badge, Orange interior accent stitching, suede headliner, carbon fiber interior bezels, and an Alcantara steering wheel, while a power sunroof brightens up the cavernous cabin. The infotainment system gains a navigation package and a Harman Kardon sound system.
"The special-edition Dodge Charger King Daytona honors a true icon of muscle car history," says Dodge CEO, Tim Kuniskis. "The final Dodge 'Last Call' models will continue to celebrate the legacy of the Dodge Charger and Challenger by paying tribute to two vehicles that hold a special place in our brand's history."
Only 300 Dodge Charger King Daytona special editions will be built, making it the rarest of the Last Call models yet. Pricing and dealer info will be shared this fall via the DodgeGarage.com online portal.
The sixth special edition will be revealed in a week's time, on 21 September, and the seventh and final edition is set to be revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. That one may prove the most exciting of all, as it is rumored to be a 900-hp E85-capable monster.
