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The Dodge Charger really doesn’t have much competition in the US market as there are very few large rear wheel drive sedans with both economy-minded V6 engines and performance minded V8 engines, but one of the features of the 2014 Charger that made it so popular to some prospective buyers was the ability to get the powerful 5.7L Hemi with an advanced all wheel drive system.
Realistically, very few large sedans that arent high dollar Mercedes or BMW models offer solid rear wheel drive performance so those buyers who want to go fast with a rear drive large sedan on a budget likely found the Charger R/T to be the best choice for the price. Those Charger R/T buyers who wanted to be able to drive their high performance sport sedan year round in snowy areas were also able to opt for an advanced all wheel drive system that featured a front axle disconnect system that allowed the Hemi powered Charger to get better highway fuel economy when you really don’t need power to all four wheels.
The 2015 Dodge Charger will still be offered with all wheel drive, but only when the car is equipped to the Pentastar V6 engine. The 2015 Charger R/T that is on display right now at the ongoing New York International Auto Show is powered by the new 8-speed automatic transmission and the same 5.7L Hemi V8, but it doesn’t have all wheel drive and it looks like none of the refreshed 2015 Charger R/T models will have the surefootedness of the advanced all wheel drive system. That’s right – no more all wheel drive Hemi Chargers in 2015.
This has some Mopar lovers in an uproar, but according to the folks at Allpar – the people buying the Dodge Charger are the ones who were essentially responsible for the demise of the Hemi/all wheel drive combination.
While speaking with former Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles, the current SRT boss explained that they killed off the AWD/Hemi configuration because the take rate was very poor. His reasoning behind people preferring the rear wheel drive Hemi powered Charger R/T is that “most V8 lovers like a good powerslide once in a while” and I think that he is right. I have had the pleasure of driving the current (2014) Charger R/T in both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive form and while I can appreciate the increased traction capabilities of the advanced all wheel drive package, I would much rather have the increased wheel horsepower and the ability to do a huge, smokey burnout when the mood strikes.
There is the chance that the outcry from the consumer market over the removal of the all wheel drive option with the 2015 Dodge Charger R/T could encourage the Chrysler Group to offer it with future models – but the low take rate of that feature is likely to keep it out of the lineup for some time. If nothing else, those prospective Charger owners who absolutely must have all wheel drive can still pick the Pentastar powered 2015 Chargers with 292 horsepower and better fuel economy than the Charger R/T.
Source: Allpar
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Comments
The REASON the AWD was
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The REASON the AWD was unpopular was because of the "vintage" 5 speed AT it came with. Many were waiting for something remotely current (i.e. the 8 speed AT) before plunking down their $$$ and now they don't even have a choice.
The 2014 Charger RWD did not
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In reply to The REASON the AWD was by ProperModulation (not verified)
The 2014 Charger RWD did not come with an 8 speed.
I was waiting for an awd 8
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I was waiting for an awd 8 speed hemi too... maybe some things are too good to be true. looks like i'll wait a little longer.
I have a 2008 AWD Charger and
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I have a 2008 AWD Charger and I have been looking to buy a new one. I love my car but the problem is that no one has them in stock. I even had to order the 2008 that I have. I guess I will have to look elsewhere.
I was also waiting for the
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I was also waiting for the 8spd tranny to come on the R/T this year then I was gonna buy one :-(...this is a sad moment, especially considering how sexy the new charger is.
AWD can be shut down by
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AWD can be shut down by pulling a fuse or adding a tune. so instead of adding a feature to shut off AWD for when you absolutely dont want it, Dodge eliminates it. makes sense....
There's no need to 'pull fuse
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In reply to AWD can be shut down by by Duh (not verified)
There's no need to 'pull fuse' to deactivate the AWD the last model Charger RT, the AWD only activates when the wheels slip or the temperature drops below 37*. I drive a 2014 Charger AWD, I have fish tailed & smoked the tires, and lose nothing in speed. Performance specs confirm that. I live in Michigan and the AWD is a must if you're gonna drive more than 7-8 months a year. The decision to cut this option from the RT is a HUGE mistake by Dodge. I work for the company and may have to look elsewhere in the future if I decide to trade my 2014 in. Very disappointed by this move...
You do need to pull the fuse.
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In reply to There's no need to 'pull fuse by Asie Morris (not verified)
You do need to pull the fuse. Even with that 37 (iffy) degree mark, wipers are used, etc, as soon as the wheels spin if not in AWD, it goes into AWD. You need to pull the fuse to drive it like a RWD if you want to. But AWD is the least of the problems of the 15. FUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGLY, destroyed, ruined, etc, etc. The 2015 is A DART!
I have a 2011 Charger with
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In reply to There's no need to 'pull fuse by Asie Morris (not verified)
I have a 2011 Charger with hemi awd and will NOT buy a new under-powered Charger to replace this one. I must have the Hemi with awd. So Dodge has lost my business for any new Charger vehicle. Of course Dodge is not run by American management any more so it kind of makes sense they would not understand the need for awd performance Charger in more winter climates.
Goodbye Dodge it was good to know you!
Signed 2011 Dodge Charger Hemi AWD owner.
I was intending on buying an
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I was intending on buying an AWD hemi this year. Looks like the Charger purchase is off my list. Time to replan and figure out what to buy instead.
I have a 2 day old 2015
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In reply to I was intending on buying an by DD (not verified)
I have a 2 day old 2015 charger rt road and track edition
all wheel drive 5.7 hemi automatic
they do make it
I was looking to trade my 13
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I was looking to trade my 13 V6 AWD for a 2015 Hemi AWD. This sucks!
2015 dodge charger
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2015 dodge charger
the new charger doesn't say anything much about all wheel drive.
your posting says awd only on v6 engine and that's not true.
I have a new 2015 charger rt road and track edition with the 5.7 hemi
and I have all wheel drive. I looked under the car to verify this
because on the window sticker it doesn't mention awd anywhere.
think it is the road and track special edition or the super drag pac
Sorry, unless your driving
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In reply to 2015 dodge charger by jim (not verified)
Sorry, unless your driving the police version of 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8, you don't have AWD. I don't know what your looking at under your car but it's not what you think it is.
Figures! I'm finally close to
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Figures! I'm finally close to being in the position financially to start looking for a good travel car with AWD for New England winters and now I'm stuck with the V6. :(
Fuel economy isn't an issue so I would have much rather had the 5.7L. I'd still consider buying the V6 but the Charger is not as strong of a choice for me now. Good going Chrysler! Niche buyers are still buyers!
I have a 15 charger sxt v6
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I have a 15 charger sxt v6 coz I live in western ny and we NEED AWD,wanted the rt hemi AWD was disappointed when the sales man told me it's not offered anymore so I got the v6..car looks great lots of compliment wherever I go but honestly the v6 engine is week and not responsive at all and every time u hit the gas it feels like the transmission is looking for the right gear..not fun to drive at all..I think it was a stupid move from dodge to take the AWD from the v8
And the title of this article
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And the title of this article is so misleading. AWD IS VERY, VERY POPULAR! Dodge could not figure out how to make it work with the 8 speed, so tyhey LIED and said AWD was unpopular. BULL%$^#!!!!!!!!! AWD sells a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm wondering if they are
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I'm wondering if they are going to add the AWD to the V8 Hemi in later versions of the car. Ex. 2016 and so forth.
Yes folks it's true I work
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Yes folks it's true I work for a Dodge dealership here in Syracuse NY and everybody knows who's lived or lives in Central NY during our winter months we all want AWD As for Chrysler saying the AWD HEMI wasn't selling they are full of crap I know for a fact we have sold plenty off AWD CHSRGER RT HEMIS in the last 3 years We have sold every single AWD HEMI CHARGERS 2014 that we had We still have customers coming in and asking us when they are gonna come out with the HEMI AWD CHARGER RT for 2015 or for 2016
Chrysler didn't make the 8
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Chrysler didn't make the 8 cyl AWD because the new 8 speed trans can't fit within the space claim with the AWD components. Wasn't based on demand. Strictly an engineering decision. Police still demand AWD but the have to get it with the 5 speed only. To bad that's a cop- only version. No AWD made me buy a different car but Sergio won't care cause it was aChallenger :)
Chrysler didn't make the 8
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Chrysler didn't make the 8 cyl AWD because the new 8 speed trans can't fit within the space claim with the AWD components. Wasn't based on demand. Strictly an engineering decision. Police still demand AWD but the have to get it with the 5 speed only. To bad that's a cop- only version. No AWD made me buy a different car but Sergio won't care cause it was aChallenger :)
The 14 5.7 awd 0-60 was 5.2.
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The 14 5.7 awd 0-60 was 5.2. Just a tune and your hitting high 4s & that is with the 5 speed. The V8 awd with the 8 speed would of started inching in on SRT territory because awd is very popular, despite what the title says. I live in northern Wisconsin & was disappointed when they didn't offer it in the 300 either. On to a different brand.