The Dodge Challenger GT is Officially the 1st Ever All-Wheel Drive Muscle Car

It has been speculated for months, but this morning, FCA introduced the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT – the first ever factory-built American muscle car with all-wheel drive.

We have known unofficially for some time now that Dodge was planning to roll out an all-wheel drive Dodge Challenger for 2017, but with this morning’s official announcement of the new AWD Challenger GT, we no longer have to speculate as to what the first ever factory-built all-wheel drive muscle car will look like when it hits dealerships.

“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 Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “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.”

Meet the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT
While some people have erroneously insisted that the all-wheel drive Dodge Challenger would have a Hemi V8, the 2017 Challenger GT is powered by the 3.6L Pentastar V6. This engine delivers 305 horsepower and 268lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via the 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a high performance all-wheel drive system. This AWD system features an active transfer case which seamlessly switches from rear wheel drive to all-wheel drive only when the extra traction is needed. Under normal driving conditions – like cruising down the highway – the Challenger GT will send all of the power to the rear wheels, but when the various vehicle sensors detect the need for extra traction, the AWD system sends power to the front wheels.

The advanced all-wheel drive system is really the key feature of the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT, but this vehicle includes a long list of the standard features that have helped make the current generation of the Challenger so popular. Sport Driving Mode with sharper throttle response and sharper transmission shifts is included in the Challenger GT package, as are the shift paddles on the steering wheel. The Challenger GT also has the Super Track Pak button, which opens the Dodge Performance Pages system on the 8.4” infotainment screen, offering a variety of unique gauges and performance measurements (0-60, quarter mile, braking distance, etc) and the launch control system.

On the inside, the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT is very heavily appointed, with standard Nappa leather seats with front buckets that are both heated and cooled, the aforementioned 8.4” infotainment system, an Alpine 6-speaker sound system and the “hectic mesh” gauge bezel design. Those Challenger GT buyers who want a loaded up interior can at the GT Interior Package, which for $995 adds performance front seats wrapped in Nappa leather and Alcantara suede, a 9-speaker Alpine system with a 506 watt amp and the Dodge performance steering wheel. For $995, that package is a no brainer – everyone should order this.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT has an MSRP of $33,395 plus destination fees of $1,095 for an out-the-door price of $34,490. Add on the GT Interior Package and you have yourself a loaded Mopar muscle car with all-wheel drive for $35,485.

The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT will hit the assembly line in January with the first deliveries slated for the first quarter of 2017 – I would guess sometime around the beginning of February.