The Dodge company may be going electric, but this automaker is doing its best to maintain its muscle car personality into the EV era. Its first eMuscle concept car, the Charger Daytona SRT EV retains several analog features. These include the “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust,” a tall front spoiler to maintain a classic Charger profile, and the all-new “eRupt” multi-speed transmission complete with pistol grip shifter. But because electric motors have a much wider torque band than their internal combustion counterparts, what does shifting the new Charger EV actually do?

Could the Charger EV concept have a true manual transmission?

Though Dodge has unveiled the new Charger EV, we know very little about its eMuscle powertrain. But the latest Jeep concept may hold a clue to the design of other Stellantis EVs.

The Jeep Wrangler Magneto 2.0 features what’s called an Axial Flux engine. This unique electric motor boasts 625 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque but is limited by a 5,250 rpm redline. Jeep’s solution to this engineering challenge is, well, uniquely Jeep. the Wrangler Magneto 2.0 concept 4×4 is a traditional three-pedal manual with six speeds. Is this a preview of the Dodge Daytona SRT EV’s eRupt transmission?

There is a slight chance that the new Charger Daytona SRT has a similar engine to the Magneto 2.0. But if this were the case, it would probably have a regular RWD powertrain, like existing Chargers. Because the Daytona SRT features AWD, I’ll bet it has at least one electric motor for each axle. This layout means we are not looking at a Magneto-like Axial Flux electric motor.

Does the Charger EV concept have a two-speed transmission?

The new electric Dodge Charger does have a pistol grip shifter. What’s more, Dodge claims this shifter is connected to a “multi-speed” transmission. The brand even specifies an “electro-mechanical shifting experience.” So if the Charger EV doesn’t have a traditional manual, what’s going on here?

As Tesla continues pushing the bounds of its Model S with performance models such as the Plaid, it is reaching the outer limits of electric engines. For the Plaid, Tesla actually had to create a carbon fiber sleeve for its electric motors so they would not spin themselves apart at top speed.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that Mercedes is experimenting with two-speed transmissions in its EVs. The new G-wagon EV Concept is called the EQG and comes with a two-speed transmission. If this experimental technology proves the best way to increase an EV’s top speed, Mercedes may implement it across its other models.

Does the new Charger EV concept have a mechanical two-speed transmission to increase its top speed? This is certainly a possibility. But if this were a case, I suspect Dodge would advertise a fully mechanical shifting experience, not an electro-mechanical experience.

Does the Charger EV’s pistol-grip shifter engage a sport mode?

I suspect that when you haul back on the Dodge Charger EV’s pistol grip shifter you will engage a performance mode. It will likely actuate with a satisfying, mechanical “thunk.” Then the car will enjoy a bump in horsepower and torque designed to make completing a highway-speed pass a cinch.

Will this be a the actual function of the eRupt transmission? We’ll have to wait for Dodge to allow the first driving reviews of the all-new Charger Daytona SRT EV concept to find out.

Meanwhile, read up on the origins of the Dodge Banshee logo or watch the official unveiling of the new Charger EV in the video below: