Dodge Challenger GT gets all-wheel drive

The Dodge Challenger GT is a muscle car that can storm through all kind of weather conditions with its all-wheel drivetrain. To be offered exclusively with a V6 and automatic gearbox.

As startling as it may sound, but here’s an American muscle car that comes with all-weather capability. It’s called the Dodge Challenger GT, and as you’d have guessed it already, it comes fitted with an all-wheel drive system.

The Challenger GT may not be an all-new car - since it’s largely based around the standard model – but it’s a first of its kind. None of its rivals – either the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro – have AWD. So, in a way, this gives the Challenger a first mover advantage. However, there’s no V8 on offer with the GT derivative as yet.

Powering the Challenger GT is a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine that develops 305bhp and 363Nm of torque. Power is put down via a six-speed automatic gearbox. In normal driving conditions, the drive is fed only to the rear wheels. Only when the system detects slip, it channels power to the front wheels. This is the same all-wheel drive system that’s available in the four-door Charger AWD.

Visually, there aren’t many changes. But to differentiate it from the regular car, it gets discreet GT badging on the fenders and around the back. There are 19-inch alloy wheels that come shod with all-weather tyres. As for the inside, it’s more or less the same as the standard car, but you can opt for GT interior Package that adds performance seats, a 9-speaker Alpine stereo and Dodge performance steering wheel.

The Dodge Challenger GT will make its public debut at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. Dodge will start the production of the Challenger GT in January 2017, while customer deliveries in the US are set to begin during the first quarter of next year. Price? A cool $34,490 (Rs 23.25 lakh).