Enhancing the Sound of Electric Muscle Cars: Dodge’s Fratzonic Exhaust
When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), one of the main concerns for enthusiasts is the lack of the iconic engine sound that has come to define the driving experience. Dodge, known for its powerful and muscular vehicles, has been working on a solution for this issue. Enter the Fratzonic Exhaust, a revolutionary system developed by Dodge’s trained ears and software programmers.
The team at Dodge has been refining the Fratzonic Exhaust for over two years now, with the goal of creating a sound that captures the essence of a V8 engine while still being unique to the electric powertrain. The first iteration of the system, unveiled two years ago, fell short, sounding too much like an electric vehicle rather than a true muscle car. But the team continued to iterate, and with each version, they got closer to their goal.
The third arrangement of the Fratzonic Exhaust is the closest yet to achieving a genuine muscle car sound. To showcase its capabilities, Dodge ran a Charger Daytona through a tunnel, utilizing the natural acoustics to enhance the sample. Even after exiting the tunnel, the distinctive cadence of perfectly timed explosions that characterizes an internal combustion engine (ICE) is still evident. This latest version of the Fratzonic Exhaust is remarkably close to a recording of a V8 engine, despite Dodge’s previous statement that they would not replicate ICE sounds for their electric vehicles.
So how does the Fratzonic Exhaust work? Essentially, it is a speaker driver with a tuned box and dual “passive radiators,” which are speaker cones without drivers. These “drone cones” utilize sound pressure in the enclosure to create deeper pitches, overcoming the limitations of space in electric vehicles. The mechanical combination and tuning of the system allow the battery-electric Charger Daytona to achieve the same 126 dB exhaust level as its gas-powered Hellcat counterparts.
But Dodge’s innovation doesn’t stop there. They understand that customization is key for EV owners, and each powertrain will offer multiple sounds for each vehicle. The volume and tone of the exhaust will vary based on the drive mode selected, ensuring a tailored driving experience for every driver. Furthermore, Dodge has confirmed that owners will even be able to “rev” their electric Charger Daytona when at a stop, further enhancing the old-school performance feeling.
While enthusiasts eagerly await the real-life implementation of the Fratzonic Exhaust, Dodge has encountered a few delays along the way. The electric muscle car’s debut has been pushed back by three months to address some technical issues. However, assuming Dodge is back on track, we can expect the official unveiling of the Charger Daytona with the Fratzonic Exhaust system this month, along with more details on pricing, including the highly anticipated First Edition.
Dodge’s Fratzonic Exhaust represents a significant breakthrough in the world of electric muscle cars. By addressing the concern of the lack of engine sound, Dodge is catering to the desires of EV enthusiasts while maintaining the brand’s legacy of powerful and exhilarating vehicles. With the Fratzonic Exhaust, the future of electric muscle cars is looking brighter than ever.
