How to Improve the 2017 Dodge Challenger? Call it GT and Give it AWD [News]

2017 dodge challenger gt awd snow drifting
2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD

How to improve the aging Dodge Challenger before it gets a complete redesign? How about call it the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT and give it AWD? This certainly gives this American sports coupe a unique capability of confident all-weather driving and traction performance. You can already purchase a Dodge Charger sedan with AWD, now the Challenger GT offers a pairing of a 3.6L Pentastar V6, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the AWD system.

The normally aspirated gasoline V6 produces 305 horsepower @ 6,350 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm. Unfortunately, there is no mention or availability of the HEMI V8 with the AWD system. We will continue to dream of a Challenger Hellcat AWD.

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The Challenger GT will start at $33,395 before the $1,095 destination fees. This is a healthy premium over the Dodge Charger SE AWD, which starts at $30,245. The V6 in the Charger producer 292 horsepower. Challenger AWD production will start in January 2017 and the cars should start arriving at dealership in the first quarter of 2017.

EPA has already rated the Challenger GT at 18 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.

With the snow falling across much of the country this week, the Challenger GT AWD cannot be here soon enough.

We first got glimpse of a Challenger GT AWD concept more than a year ago at the 2015 SEMA show. Check out the video here.