SEMA 2024: Dodge Charger BEV Drive Unit Showcased in a ’67 Plymouth

Over the years, the folks from Mopar have put modern Dodge Charger powerplants in various classic muscle cars for the SEMA Show, and that is the case with the 1967 Plymouth GTX Electromod Concept at the 2024 Las Vegas convention. The key difference, of course, is that while past Dodge Charger powerplants have typically been a V8 engine, the Charger powerplant in the GTX Electromod is an Electric Drive Module from the upcoming Daytona BEV.

The new Dodge Charger Daytona BEV is powered by a pair of Electric Drive Modules (EDMs) that each create up to 335 horsepower. The 1967 Plymouth GTX Electromod has one of thoese EDMs under the hood that feeds the rear wheels, showcasing the conceptual Mopar e-Crate package.

With the help of a 3:1 gear reducer, this 1967 Plymouth GTX should be pretty quick with 335 horsepower and minimal drivetrain loss, but this car is probably fairly heavy. Each of the four battery packs weighs about 230 pounds, while it does not have the weight of a traditional engine or transmission, it does have the EDM and nearly a thousand pounds of batteries. Three of the batteries are located in the trunk, in a unique aluminum case that allows for relatively simple removal, while the fourth is mounted under the hood for improved front-rear weight distribution. When driven reasonably, this GTX has a range of around 250 miles.

There have already been instances where classic Mopar muscle owners replaced a Mopar engine with a Tesla drivetrain. The Mopar e-Crate would allow other classic Mopar owners to introduce modern Charger BEV power without turning to a Tesla drivetrain. I suspect that the mere mention of doing so will drive many Mopar owners into a frenzy and I certainly wouldn’t do it to my 1972 Demon 340, but for those folks who do want to make the switch while still driving a classic Mopar muscle car – this could be an option to technically maintain Mopar power. Even if Mopar doesn’t introduce the e-Crate anytime soon, I would not be surprised one bit to see the BEV drivetrain from the upcoming Charger Daytona in a classic car in the next year or so. I also expect to see a Charger Daytona with the EV components replaced by a Hemi in the next year or so as well, but that doesn’t apply as much to this discussion.

In addition to the electric drivetrain, this 1967 Plymouth GTX has been given the restomod treatment inside and out. On the outside, the Mopar design team has added a custom chin spoiler, a vented carbon fiber hood, a low profile rear spoiler and modified bumpers. The original gas cap is still in place, but under it, there is a charging port rather than a fuel filler neck inlet.

In addition to loads of Satin Black trim, the exterior is further Moparized by a set of 18-by-9-inch BTG Vintage Bronze forged magnesium wheels wrapped in Pirelli Pzero tires with Wilwood brake calipers at all four corners. A lowered three-link suspension provides the sporty stance, leading to a pretty great looking classic Plymouth. That being said, I suspect that many people will hate on it simply because it has an electric drivetrain.

Finally, the interior features modified Jeep Wrangler front seats, a Dodge Durango shift knob, Jeep Grand Cherokee cup holders and a gauge cluster that houses modernized gauges in a classic layout.