Dodge Cancels Charger Daytona Banshee | Muscle Car Future Explained

The automotive industry is at a crossroads. Electric vehicles (EVs) were once heralded as the inevitable future, but the past year has shown that consumer adoption is far more complicated than automakers anticipated. One of the latest casualties of this EV slowdown is the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee, the highly anticipated 800-volt halo car that Dodge once promised would redefine muscle cars for the electric era.

Reports indicate that Stellantis, Dodge’s parent company, has canceled the Banshee project. While Dodge has not officially confirmed the decision, supplier leaks and insider reports suggest the development program has been shelved. This move raises key questions: Why would Dodge walk away from its most ambitious EV? What does this mean for the Charger lineup, and for muscle cars in general? And most importantly, does this signal the comeback of the iconic HEMI V8?

This article takes a deep dive into Dodge’s decision, the challenges facing EV muscle cars, and what the future may hold for American performance machines.

Table of Contents

What Was the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee?

When Dodge unveiled the Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concept in 2022, it positioned the car as nothing less than the spiritual successor to the Hellcat. Powered by an advanced 800-volt electric architecture, the Banshee promised performance levels equal to or beyond Dodge’s supercharged V8s.

Some of the standout features included:

Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust – a synthetic sound system designed to mimic the roar of a muscle car.
Sleek two-door coupe design – blending classic Charger styling cues with futuristic lines.
Performance focus – Dodge promised blistering acceleration, AWD capability, and instant torque.
EV leadership role – the Banshee was supposed to be Dodge’s statement that muscle cars could thrive in an electric future.

Enthusiasts were intrigued, but also skeptical. Could a silent, battery-powered Charger ever replace the visceral thrill of a HEMI?

Why Was the Banshee Cancelled?

There is no single reason for the Banshee’s demise, but rather a combination of market realities, financial risks, and brand identity challenges.

1. EV Demand Has Slowed Dramatically

In 2021–2022, EV demand surged, but by late 2023, sales growth plateaued. Many buyers still worry about:

Charging infrastructure gaps
High sticker prices
Battery range anxiety
Resale value uncertainties

The base Dodge Charger EV (400-volt) is already struggling to find customers, so launching a more expensive, niche 800-volt flagship was considered too risky.

2. The Muscle Car Audience Isn’t Fully Sold on EVs

Dodge’s customer base is unique. Muscle car buyers want roar, vibration, and raw character — qualities EVs struggle to replicate. While Dodge tried to engineer fake sound and aggressive styling, many enthusiasts felt it was too artificial. A silent muscle car risks alienating the very people who make up Dodge’s loyal fan base.

3. Stellantis Is Pivoting Back to Combustion Engines

Ironically, at the same time Dodge is scrapping its halo EV, Stellantis is reviving V8 engines:

The 5.7L HEMI V8 returns in the 2026 Ram 1500.
The 6.4L HEMI V8 continues in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392.
The Dodge Durango will once again offer HEMI power.

Clearly, Stellantis is acknowledging that V8 engines still have a market, especially in North America, where muscle car heritage runs deep.

4. Performance EV Market Is Risky and Crowded

Tesla, Porsche, Lucid, and others already dominate the performance EV space. For Dodge to jump in with a niche muscle car EV would require massive investment with uncertain payback. Simply put, the math didn’t add up.

Dodge’s Official Statement

In response to reports, Dodge issued a carefully worded statement:

“Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy to align with consumer demand. Our plan ensures we offer customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options… With the great news announced in July that Stellantis is bringing back its iconic SRT performance division, we are reviewing the plan for future SRT vehicles.”

Notice what’s missing: any denial that the Banshee has been canceled. The corporate language strongly suggests Dodge is pivoting away from a full-EV flagship.

The Bigger Picture: Is Dodge Abandoning EVs?

Not exactly. Dodge will still sell hybrid and electric variants of certain models, but the full-EV muscle car strategy is on hold. Instead, Dodge seems to be embracing a multi-powertrain future:

ICE models – with HEMI engines returning.
Hybrid/PHEV models – offering efficiency and performance balance.
Selective EVs – perhaps in markets where demand is stronger.

This flexibility lets Dodge hedge its bets while keeping its muscle car identity intact.

What’s Next for the Charger Lineup?

The Charger isn’t going anywhere — it’s just evolving. Reports suggest Dodge is preparing:

Charger Sixpack – featuring the new “Hurricane” twin-turbo inline-six engine.
Charger Hybrids – blending efficiency with performance.
Possible V8 revival – depending on market reception to recent HEMI comebacks.

For enthusiasts, this is actually good news. Instead of being forced into an EV, buyers may soon get to choose between ICE, hybrid, or electric Chargers, depending on preference.

The Muscle Car Dilemma: Emotion vs. Innovation

The Banshee’s cancellation highlights a bigger truth: muscle cars are about emotion, not just numbers. While EVs can deliver jaw-dropping acceleration, they lack the emotional connection of a rumbling V8.

Automakers face a balancing act:

Regulations push for electrification
Consumers crave tradition and emotion

Dodge seems to have realized that leaning too hard into EVs risks losing its brand soul. By canceling the Banshee, Dodge may actually be protecting the essence of the muscle car spirit.

What Does This Mean for Enthusiasts?

For car lovers, the cancellation may be bittersweet:

Bad news: The most futuristic Dodge muscle car won’t see production.
Good news: V8s, turbocharged ICE engines, and hybrids are making a comeback.

In other words, enthusiasts still have options that deliver the sound, feel, and personality they demand.

Conclusion: The Banshee’s Death Is the HEMI’s Rebirth

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee was supposed to be the future of muscle cars. Instead, its cancellation signals a return to tradition — a recognition that the muscle car market isn’t ready to go fully electric.

Rather than forcing a silent EV onto an unwilling audience, Dodge seems prepared to offer choice: gas engines, hybrids, and selective EVs. For fans of the Dodge brand, that means the future might be brighter — and louder — than expected.The Banshee may be dead, but the muscle car isn’t. In fact, with the HEMI roaring back to life, the legend of Dodge muscle may only be getting started again.