The Dodge Charger Daytona Returns with 2 Engine Options and Hellcat Goodies

The Dodge Charger Daytona is back for the 2017 model year and while it might not have the massive rear spoiler like the 1969 Daytona built for NASCAR – the ’17 Charger Daytona does pack big performance for a relatively small price.

The Dodge Charger Daytona name first appeared back in 1969, when Dodge designed the original “wing car” to compete in NASCAR. Per the NASCAR rules, the company had to build at least 500 examples of that unique 1969 Charger with the huge rear wing and the elongated nose for street use, and when those unique muscle cars hit the street – their place in automotive history was secured.

Since then, Dodge has paid tribute to the Charger Daytona with a handful of modern Charger sedans which wore the Daytona name and they have all proven to be popular with buyers, but the newest Dodge Charger Daytona will likely be the most popular with those folks looking to go fast. Unlike previous model years, the 2017 Daytona has a unique exterior design, but far more importantly – this new throwback package comes with your choice of the 5.7L Hemi which was in the previous Daytona sedans along with the 485hp 392 Hemi.

2017 Charger Daytona
First up, we have the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona, which is offered as simply the Daytona or as the Daytona 392. The Daytona is based on the Charger R/T with the 5.7L Hemi, but this new package adds a 2.75 inch active exhaust system (similar to the one found on the Hellcat Hemi models) with huge 4 inch tips and a Mopar cold air intake package, although there is no word on power increases from these items.

Next, the Charger Daytona has the front and rear fascia, the side sills, the rear spoiler and the functional air intake hood from the Charger SRT models, with a Hemi graphic on the hood, a Daytona stripe on the rear sides, a blacked out roof and unique lightweight 20 inch wheels.

The Charger Daytona also comes standard with the Super Track Pak, which adds sport tuned suspension, performance brake pads, a unique stability control system with a “full off” setting and Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Finally, a 2.62 rear gear set improves low end acceleration and on the top end, the speed limiter has been moved from 135 to 150.

Finally, the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona has a plush cockpit with black heated and cooled Nappa leather sport seats sporting the embroidered Daytona logo on the seat back.

The 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona starts at $40,895, not including applicable taxes.

2017 Charger Daytona 392
Those who want more performance from their 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona can opt for the 392 package (shown above in Go Mango), which replaces the 370hp 5.7L Hemi with a 485hp, 392 cubic inch Hemi. Like the Charger Daytona with the 5.7L engine, this more powerful package has the SRT exterior features and the plush leather seats, but the Daytona 392 includes a few high performance goodies to make for a better all-around performance car.

In addition to the Mopar cold air intake system and the 2.75 inch active exhaust, the Daytona 392 package includes the massive Brembo brakes from the SRT models, with 6 piston calipers up front and 4 piston units in the back (similar to the Hellcat brakes). There is also a new set of lightweight 20x9.5 inch wheels wrapped in three season performance rubber from Pirelli (also similar to the Hellcat Charger) and a 180mph speedometer.

The 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona starts at $46,090, not including applicable taxes.

Like the 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A, the new Dodge Charger Daytona will officially go on sale sometime in September with the first units reaching dealerships before the end of this year. In the meantime, check out my short walkaround video below, showing the 2017 Charger Daytona 392 with the original 1969 Charger Daytona (with a 440 big block).