Introducing the All Wheel Drive Sport package for the 2013 Dodge Charger

After seeing an impressive 25% take rate on the available Blacktop package for the rear wheel drive Dodge Charger SXT, the Chrysler Group saw the demand for a similar “sights and sounds” package for those buyers who opted for the all wheel drive models and that is where the 2013 Charger AWD Sport package comes into play.

“With the instant success of the sinister-styled Charger Blacktop, the new Charger AWD Sport delivers a similar aggressive look with the added capability of all-wheel drive,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO- Dodge Brand. “The new Charger AWD Sport offers the unmistakable combination of up to 370 horsepower, the most sophisticated all-wheel-drive system in its class, best-in-class V-6 fuel efficiency, and a style that sets it apart from any other car on the road, all at an amazing value.”

The 2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport package begins on the outside where the design team has added a Gloss Black painted grille with a matching grille surround, a body colored rear spoiler and unique 19” wheels with a bright silver face and Gloss Black pockets wrapped in all season performance tires. Next, the AWD Sport package for the 2013 Dodge Charger adds steering wheel mounted shift paddles, sport bucket seats wrapped in either black cloth (SXT and R/T models) or black and red premium heated Nappa leather (SXT Plus and R/T Plus models) and a super premium Beats By Dre sound system. For those who haven’t heard of the Beats sound system, it is a studio quality sound system designed in cooperation with rap superstar Dr. Dre. This system features 10 speakers located through the cabin to deliver the highest quality high and mid range tones while the 8 inch enclosed subwoofer in the trunk will allow your music to hit as hard as many aftermarket audio setups. Finally, the AWD Sport package for the new Charger sedan includes a unique sport calibration for the automatic transmission – marking the first time that Dodge has offered a sport transmission mode for an all wheel drive Charger.

Like the rest of the 2013 Dodge Charger lineup, the AWD Sport models will derive their power from the Pentastar V6 and the Hemi V8. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in the Charger SXT and SXT Plus AWD Sport offers 300 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque with that power sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission and an advanced all wheel drive system. The 5.7L Hemi that powers the R/T sedans packs 370 horsepower and 395lb-ft of torque and while the Hemi uses a 5-speed automatic transmission, it offers the same high tech transfer case to spin all four wheels. This active transfer case disconnects the front drive system when the additional traction of the AWD system is not needed – helping to make the 2013 Dodge Charger the most fuel friendly all wheel drive large sedan on the market today.

The MSRP for the All Wheel Drive Sport package for the 2013 Dodge Charger is $1,195 for the SXT and SXT Plus models while the AWD Sport option for the Charger R/T and R/T Plus costs $1,395. This means that the V6 powered 2013 Charger SXT begins at $32,690 while the SXT Plus begins at $34,690 and for the Hemi V8, the starting prices are $33,690 for the R/T and $35,690 for the R/T Plus. The Brampton Ontario plant that builds all of the new Dodge Charger sedans will begin building the new AWD Sport models later this month with production running through the first quarter of 2013 with the first models expected to reach dealerships around the beginning of the New Year.

I expect that this will be one of the featured vehicles in the Dodge display at next month's 2013 NAIAS in Detroit and you can expect full coverage of the entire Detroit Auto Show here on TorqueNews.com!