All-Wheel Drive Dodge Challenger GT Arrives on the EPA Website

While FCA still hasn’t addressed the rumor that there is an all-wheel drive Dodge Challenger on the way, there have been a variety of reports insisting that Dodge will produce a muscle car that spins all four wheels. Unfortunately, those have all come with some skepticism with no reinforcement from the automaker, but the crew at Allpar noticed a listing on the federal government website which all but guarantees that the all-wheel drive Challenger GT is a real thing.

The EPA doesn’t list cars that might come to market – they list cars that are sold to the general public – and the Dodge Challenger GT is one of the options for the 2017 model year. The EPA website doesn’t specify that this new Challenger listing is all wheel drive on the main page of the listing, but when you flip to the “specs” page, it states very clearly that this Challenger is all-wheel drive.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT
The EPA website lists the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT as being offered only with the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In this form, the Challenger GT will offer 18mpg around town, 27mpg on the highway and 21mpg combined. The non-GT 2017 Challenger (SXT) with that same V6 and 8-speed automatic offers 19mpg city, 30mpg highway and 23mpg combined while the 2017 Dodge Charger AWD with the Pentastar V6 and the 8-speed gets the same 18/27/21 as the Challenger GT.

Why Not a Hemi?
When the rumors of an all-wheel drive Dodge Challenger hit the internet, the early reports stated that it would be powered by a Hellcat Hemi, but those hopes were quickly shot down. Keep in mind, the Challenger GT debuted in concept form at the SEMA Show last year with the 5.7L V8, but the inside reports earlier this year insisted that the production AWD Challenger would pack V6 power.

They were right – the 2017 Challenger GT is only offered with the V6 and while that might confuse some people, it is important to look at why this all-wheel drive muscle car is being built.

Obviously, in offering only the least powerful engine in the lineup, Dodge is not targeting the high performance crowd with the 2017 Challenger GT. Dodge isn’t looking to create the ultimate high performance drag car with all sorts of power sent to all four wheels, but rather, Dodge wants to offer a fun, sporty coupe that buyers all over the USA can enjoy year round.

One of the sticking points for some prospective Dodge Challenger buyers in US states which get a significant amount of snowfall is that when the roads get rough – the rear wheel drive muscle car is less than ideal for getting to and from work. Some people simply buy a second vehicle that is better in the snow, but that isn’t an option for everyone, so for the muscle car fan who cares less about monster power and more about being able to safely drive the car through the winter months, Dodge will offer the Challenger GT.

Basically, the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT AWD will be marketed to those folks who want to be able to drive their car in the worst conditions, and the all-wheel drive setup will certainly make the Challenger GT a great winter driver. Best of all, those buyers who opt for the AWD Challenger will be able to enjoy the performance and style of the Challenger SXT in nice weather with the added grip of all-wheel drive when the snow falls.

Image: FuelEconomy.gov screen shot