2013 Dodge Charger Daytona Video Review
Perhaps more so than any other, the Chrysler Group loves to produce limited edition model. Take this Charger R/T Road & Track, for example. For an additional $2,500 you can be 1 of only 3,000 to own a 2013 Charger Daytona.
Introduced at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show, the return of the ‘winged warrior’ has been limited to 2,500 copies in the U.S. this go around after having been offered for 4 consecutive years from 2006 – 2009. And while we were out for a drive, we encountered this vintage 1993 example – which has apparently seen better days.
My striking Daytona Blue example is 1 of 4 unique color choices and comes with this cool matching engine cover, a Satin Black crosshair grille with heritage R/T badge, a custom vinyl hood graphic, roof warp, rear R/T spoiler and the “Daytona” graphic on the rear quarter panels. There are also black, performance Nappa leather heated and cooled seats with blue stitching and piping, somewhat strange looking dark, brushed aluminum trim surrounds, a Mopar bright pedal kit and a 552-watt 10-speaker Beats Audio System with a subwoofer. And to put it in the history books, there’s a special numbered badge on the dash with your Daytona build number.
Whether you start with the Charger R/T or R/T Road & track, if you’re going Daytona you’ve got to spend the extra $400 for the Super Track Pak. It includes these sticky 20” Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires, a 3-mode ESC system with full off mode, beefed up brakes, performance steering and sport suspension with larger sway bars. It sounds hardcore but in reality never ruins the Charger’s excellent, everyday drivability.
What the Daytona does very well is allow for the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to fully demonstrate its might. With a more aggressive SRT-derived 3.06 rear axle, high speed engine controller and paddle shifters with sport mode for the 5-speed auto, this car is a blast to drive – especially considering its large footprint. Its 370 horsepower and 395 pound feet of torque are instantly on tap for lively acceleration and all kinds of burnout fun. A zero to-60mph time in the low 5s awaits.
You know, its’ everything that’s different about the Charger that makes it great. It’s big, it’s American, it’s rear-wheel drive, it’s V8 powered and even with the sport suspension the ride is incredibly comfortable and the handling is impressive.
It’s also a car that is incredibly modern and well equipped. My tester adds the Driver Confidence Group with all of today’s driver assistance features, the best touchscreen in the biz with this 8.4” UConnect system and creature comforts such as a heated steering wheel, heated seats all around and cooled in the front, heated and cooled cupholders, memory settings, etc. It feels quality-driven and very fresh with lots of room to spare.
My loaded Charger Daytona comes in at $41,645 and returns gas mileage of 16mpg city/25 mpg highway. And before you think it’s too late, as of air time dealer inventories still show some in stock.
