2017 Dodge Challenger GT Is First Muscle Car Designed for Winter Driving [Photos]
The new Challenger GT uses the same high-performance all-wheel drive system as the Charger AWD
They say you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet, but the rumor that Dodge was working on an all-wheel drive Challenger actually turned out to be true.
Dodge made that news official today, Dec. 7th, when it issued a press release announcing the 2017 Challenger GT, which becomes the first ever two-door American muscle car with all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system featured in this Challenger is the same system that’s used in the all-wheel drive Charger sedan.
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2017 Dodge Challenger GT
That means the Challenger GT AWD will feature an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect, which allows the Challenger to operate in rear-wheel drive when the weather is nice, but sensors equipped on the vehicle are able to detect bad road conditions and automatically switch to all-wheel drive to compensate. This unique system allows the Challenger to retain its fun-to-drive nature during the summer, while also providing the benefits of AWD during the winter.
Performance enthusiasts might be bummed to learn the Challenger GT will only be offered with a 305-horsepower V6 engine, but that could be because fitting a big V8 motor and AWD into the third-generation Challenger proved to be too difficult. However, there have been reports that Dodge is working on a new wide-body version of muscle car called the Challenger ADR, which could potentially solve this problem.
Some other notable equipment featured on the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and LED lighting. In addition, the Challenger GT comes standard with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, which helps the AWD Challenger achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
“Dodge is shifting the muscle car paradigm with the new 2017 Dodge Challenger GT – the world’s first and only all-wheel-drive American muscle coupe,” said FCA Head of Passenger Car Brands Tim Kuniskis. “The Challenger has always been the most wide-ranging and functional muscle coupe, and now, with the new 305-horsepower all-wheel-drive Challenger GT, we are stretching the functional and geographic boundaries even further.”
The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT will carry a starting MSRP of $33,395 and is expected to become available in the US during the first quarter of 2017.
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Gallery: 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD Photos
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