King Daytona: SEMA 2022 Dodge Displays ‘Last Call’ Special Edition King Daytona
Inspired by legendary racer Big Willie Robinson the King Daytona will make each of its 300 owners extremely happy.
As we know the Hemi is singing it swan song as it will soon be relegated to the history books. Dodge is doing everything it can to make the new EV muscle cars as exciting as the Hemi cars. However, there is no getting around the fact that seeing the V8 die is an emotional moment. So, Dodge is biding farewell with a number of ‘Last Call’ special editions. Dodge brought several of the limited editions to SEMA 2022. One of these cars is the King Daytona that you see here.
The King Daytona is going to be limited to just 300 copies. Good luck finding one. At least one that a dealer doesn’t have a five-figure markup tagged on top of the $93,000 MSRP. If you are lucky enough to put one of these in your garage you are getting a Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody painted in Go Mango. There is nothing subtle about an 807-horsepower bright orange Dodge, so wallflowers need not apply.
‘Big Willie’ Robinson
Some folks might assume that the King Daytona is inspired by the legendary Richard Petty who was known as “The King.” However, the inspiration for the King Daytona has to do with another legend. Meet Big Willie Robinson. Big Willie got his nickname thanks to his six-foot, six-inch height and 21-inch biceps. As an African American growing up in the 1960s Robinson dealt with his fair share of discrimination and racial unrest. But despite his imposing size he did not resort to violence, her preferred to settle things with horsepower. He founded the International and National Brotherhood of Street Racers. He had people focus their energy on racing instead of violence. This approach worked and reduced violence by brining people together. Robinson would race 1969 Charger Daytonas. One of which was Orange with a black tail stripe. This was the inspiration behind the modern King Daytona edition.
King Daytona
The Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody doesn’t need much improvement in the performance department. But Dodge gives it one anyway in to form of 10 extra horsepower that we doubt anyone in the world could actually feel. But essentially the King Daytona is an appearance package. Not that there is anything wrong with that as the car looks awesome. Satin Black King Daytona rear fender graphics and Stain Black hood and roof graphics standout the most on the outside. More subtle touches are the orange brake calipers and Satin Chrome exterior badges.
Inside
Climb aboard and you will see some special touches inside as well. Black Nappa/Alcantara “Daytona” seats with orange stitching are standard. There is a King Daytona instrument panel badge. Orange interior accent stitching on the instrument panel, console, steering wheel and door trim are part of the package. There is also a suede headliner and Alcantara steering wheel along with a few other minor tweaks. Overall, the car just looks great.
Suitable Sendoff
Dodge is sending off the Hemi cars in the only way they know how. That is by being loud and powerful. That is Dodge DNA. In fact, if you have ever been to SEMA, you know that there is a lot going on and the convention center is loud. But even with all the noise coming from the other display areas, the Dodge display was by far the loudest. You could hear the Dodge booth above everyone else. And that is just what Dodge is all about. The King Daytona continues the legacy.
Photos: Derin Richardson
Join the Dodge Forums now!
