The unveiling of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona last week brought some confusion on the differences between the R/T and Scat Pack models. They have both mechanical and exterior differences, geared to making the best use of their different powertrains and prices.
Some of the key aspects of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona are the same for both models. The sheet metal and exterior lighting systems are the same; both use a 400V electrical system with a 100.5 kWh battery. They have standard all-wheel-drive, using front and rear electric drive modules, and both come with Auto, Eco, Sport, Wet/Snow, and Valet drive modes. The two models share steering systems, 11:1 front and rear gearbox ratios, cooling systems, and many of the same dimensions, inside and out.
Despite sharing their basic drivetrain architecture, the R/T comes with 340 kW (456 hp) while the Scat Pack comes with 440 kW (590 hp) in base power. For 2024, the R/T comes with the Direct Connection Stage 1 upgrade and the Scat Pack comes with the Direct Connection Stage 2 upgrade. This changes power deliveru to 370 kW (496 horsepower) and 404 lb-ft of torque in in the R/T, and 500 kW (670 horsepower) and 627 lb-ft of torque in the Scat Pack.
The 2025 Charger Daytona coupes will have more power options: the R/T will be available in 340, 370 and 400 kW form while the Scat Pack will be offered with 440, 470 or 500 kW packages.
The Scat Pack also comes with three additional drive modes – Drag, Drift and Donut; and the Scat Pack adds Launch Control, Line Lock, and Race Prep mode.
The braking systems are similar but the brakes are different. The Charger Daytona R/T comes with floating front and rear brake calipers, with 354mm rotors up front and 350mm rotors out back. The Charger Daytona Scat Pack comes with fixed six-piston Brembo front calipers and floating rear calipers, with the rotors measuring 380mm in the front and 360mm out back.
The Scat Pack can also be upgraded with the Track Pack, which adds fixed 6-piston Brembo brake calipers up front and 4-piston Brembo calipers out back, with gigantic 410mm rotors in the front and rear. This braking package is standard on all 2024 Charger Daytona Scat Pack models, but starting in 2025, it will come as part of the Track Pack.
The 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona coupe uses a multi-link front suspension and an integral link rear suspension with monotube shocks in the front and rear; the Scat Pack has stiffer suspension components. The shocks in the R/T models are described as “Touring” while the Scat Pack shocks are described as “Improved Control”. We suspect that means that the R/T shocks do a bit more dampening of rough roads while the Scat Pack gives the driver a better feel for the road.
The R/T has a spring rates of 65 N/mm and 120 N/mm (front and rear) while the Scat Pack springs are rated to 78 N/mm and 140 N/mm, so the Scat Pack is stiffer at all four corners for handling. The Track Pack gets even greater handling thanks to dual valve, adaptive dampers with even stiffer springs at all four corners (84 N/mm, 145 N/mm).
The wheels are the next area where there are hefty differences. The R/T comes with 18×8-inch Tech Silver wheels and 245/55ZR18 Nexen tires, but those buyers who opt for the Plus Group or Blacktop Package will get 20×9-inch wheels with 255/45R20XL Nexen tires. When those two packages are combined, the Charger Daytona R/T coupe comes with 20×10-inch wheels 275/40ZR20XL Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season tires.
We mentioned above that many of the exterior dimensions are the same between the R/T and Scat Pack, but one which is not. The track width is different for the two, and while you might expect the Charger Daytona Scat Pack to have a wider track, you would be wrong. The Scat Pack models feature unique spindles that move the wheels inward, and even though this creates a narrower track width, the engineering team found that this setup provided the best performance output on cars with the larger wheels and tires.
The Scat Pack Track Pack comes with 20×11.5-inch wheels with 305/35ZR20XL front and 325/35ZR20 rear tires. The standard Track Pack tires are Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season, but buyers can opt up to Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires of the same dimensions.
Other small aspects like badging and package availability will be addressed in a separate piece.
