2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: LA Auto Show

Why the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Matters: The Chrysler Group’s recent decision to pull the Dodge Charger from NASCAR competition likely didn’t sit too well with the car’s core audience, particularly since the announcement came at the same time Charger pilot Brad Keselowski was winning this year’s Sprint Cup championship. So, you can kind of think of the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona—with its roots deep in NASCAR Nation—as a “thanks” to the brand’s stock-car fans; of course, it also fits in with Dodge’s ongoing strategy of releasing special-edition models of its full-size muscle-car sedan to keep the pot on a steady boil.

It’s worth noting as well that the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona makes for a very distinctive, surprisingly affordable alternative to some of today’s other big mainstream sedans. Consider: The new Charger Daytona opens at $32,990, representing a $2,995 premium over the vehicle on which it's based, the Charger R/T—already the most affordable V8-powered sedan in the country and featuring a 370-hp, 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that’s also good for 395 lb.-ft. of torque.

Something like the Hyundai Genesis sedan, in theory a “performance” car, starts at $34,200, but it’s a few inches smaller than the Charger and features a V6 with 37 fewer horsepower and a torque deficit of more than 100 lb.-ft. as compared to the Dodge. The 2013 Ford Taurus SHO comes a bit closer to the Charger Daytona’s engine output, with 365 hp and 355 lb.-ft. of torque, but it’s starting price is $39,200 (albeit with standard all-wheel drive).

As expected, the Chrysler 300 can be configured to match the performance of its corporate sibling, but the more upscale Chrysler product is priced north of $38,000 with a V8 engine.

In other words, while some of today’s hi-po cars are clearly showing there IS a replacement for displacement, there’s still no replacement for a car like the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona.

2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

What’s New for the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona: Because the Daytona package is being added to the Charger R/T (and R/T Road and Track), the new edition comes loaded with performance enhancers right from the get-go. As a result, the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona is distinguished from its donor cars primarily by style. Per Dodge’s president and CEO, Reid Bigland: 

“With its 370 horsepower HEMI V8, rear-wheel drive and iconic design, the 2013 Dodge Charger is a modern-day muscle car, and the new Charger Daytona takes it to a new level by paying homage to the historic ‘Daytona’ nameplate.

“It starts with a legendary HEMI underfoot and one-of-a-kind interior and exterior styling enhancements that perfectly combine heritage, performance and value, starting under $33,000 MSRP.”

In other words, what’s actually new with the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona are features like:

• Eye-popping exterior graphics complemented by dark, blackout-style trim pieces
• Four available exterior colors—Daytona Blue, Bright White, Billet Silver and Pitch Black
• An upgraded interior with exclusive “Daytona” accents and a serially numbered instrument-panel badge with each car’s build number (just 2,500 units will be made)

2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

New 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona: Styling and Design: The curvaceous sheet metal of the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona is an ideal canvas for its wide collection of graphicsincluding dual black hood stripes, a custom black wrap for the car’s roof, and all-caps, black “DAYTONA” lettering on its rear quarter panels. That latter treatment works particularly well, since the graphics reinforce the look of the sweeping character lines that create the Charger’s scalloped flanks. Other exterior enhancements include a black R/T-style rear spoiler and model-exclusive 20-inch polished aluminum wheels that are set off by Gloss Black painted pockets.

When purchased in its R/T Road and Track configuration, the cockpit of the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona gets black Nappa leather-and-suede performance seats with Daytona Blue accents, and both heat and ventilation functionality; for the R/T proper, the seats have the same look, but are finished in a sporty cloth material. In both versions, dark, brushed aluminum trim adds a sophisticated and premium appearance that is further enhanced by bright pedals from Mopar.

There’s even a Daytona style upgrade under the hood, in the form of a Daytona Blue engine cover.

2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

New 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona: What’s Under the Hood: Yep, this thing’s got a HEMI—in this case, a 5.7-liter powerplant that can unleash 370 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque through a more athletically oriented 3.06 rear-axle ratio. But because the big V8 features the Chrysler Group’s Fuel Saver Technology, it also can operate on just four cylinders in certain driving scenarios, enabling EPA marks of up to 25 mpg on the highway. The gearbox is the Charger’s proven five-speed automatic Auto Stick unit, enabling DIY shifting, and that functionality is made even easier in the Daytona models with their standard paddle shifters.

There’s also a high-speed engine controller on board to help milk every ounce of performance possible out of the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona.

2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

New 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona: Features and Technology: Although not new to the Charger family, the standard goodies available on the 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona have set some new benchmarks in the segment. For example, the car is kitted-out with the automaker’s Uconnect Touch connectivity and infotainment system, boasting an 8.4-inch touchscreen, segment-exclusive Garmin navigation, and a 2012 Breakthrough Technology Award from Edmunds.com.

In addition, the sound setup here is a 552-watt Beats Audio System from  musical masterminds Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. It’s a system that was custom tailored to the cabin acoustics of the Charger and features a 12-channel amplifier and 10 premium speakers. The former leverages a proprietary equalizer algorithm for studio-quality sound, while the latter include an eight-inch, trunk-mounted, dual-voice-coil subwoofer encased in its own sealed enclosure.

The Charger provides many of today's typical driver safety aids, too, including blind-spot and cross-traffic systems, and is both a Top Safety Pick of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star performer in safety testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Preview: Los Angeles Auto Show

New 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona: What Autobytel Thinks: The 2013 Dodge Charger Daytona is unlikely to make anyone forget about the insane 200-mph Winged Warrior that first debuted the “Daytona” name in 1969, but it does makes a fine addition to the current Charger’s arsenal. As the old saying goes, “People who like this sort of thing will find this to be the sort of thing they like.”

And they’ll be able to find it at Dodge dealerships beginning in the first quarter of next year.