In the long parade that is the series of Dodge ‘Last Call’ special edition cars celebrating, we find the 2023 Charger King Daytona as the second-to-last entrant in their big send-off party. For the occasion, gearheads at Dodge have cranked the wick on a Hellcat Redeye engine to an eye-popping 807 horsepower.
Yes, you read that correctly. One can now sign their name to a blazing orange (called Go Mango, to be precise) four-door sedan with in excess of 800 horsepower under its bulging hood. We’ll be telling our grandchildren about these days in the year 2060. And, yes – this sum is 10 ponies more than the now frankly underpowered and completely useless Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye which makes a trifling 797 horses.
Why’s it called the King? If your mind immediately went to Richard Petty’s association with Dodge back in the day (and then idly wondered why this thing isn’t painted B5 Blue), then you’re not alone; this author thought the same. In reality, the 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona traces its lineage to a famous monarch of the ‘60s and ‘70s West Coast drag-racing scene. A dude by the name of “Big Willie” Robinson nicknamed his 1969 Dodge Charger “King Daytona” and used it not only in claiming victory at the drag strip but also in keeping racers on the track and off the streets. Good enough, then.
In addition to the power bump, this car gets the usual smattering of styling addenda, including satin black exterior graphics and 20-inch wheels hiding six-piston Brembo-branded brake calipers. You’ll have noticed the Mopar hood pin kit by now, plus the so-called ‘satin chrome’ badging and black spoiler. Inside are trappings that have become part and parcel of these special editions such as accent stitching to match the exterior, a suede headliner, and a banging sound system.
Only 300 of the 2023 Dodge Charger King Daytona “Last Call” models will be produced, all based on the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody in vivid Go Mango exterior color. Like all the other ‘Last Call’ cars, their allocation will be spelled out on DodgeGarage.com for all to see when vehicle ordering opens later this autumn.
