2017 Dodge Challenger GT arrives with all-wheel drive, but no V-8
Finally, Dodge has made all-wheel drive available on its stylish Challenger coupe—but we'll stop short of calling it an all-weather muscle coupe.
That's because the Challenger GT, as Dodge has christened it, is only available with the base 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and not the muscular V-8s Dodge offers in its Challenger RT, SRT, and Hellcat models. The V-6, rated at 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque, is fairly powerful, but it's tasked with moving 4,000 pounds of plump coupe around. An 8-speed automatic gearbox is the only on offer, but it does include paddle shifters.
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With all-wheel drive, the Challenger GT is rated at 18 mpg city, 27 highway. That's a couple of clicks lower than the rear-wheel drive V-6 model. Don't look for tire-shredding power here; let's remember that this coupe is positioned to be more of an all-weather grand tourer than a drag strip racer.
With this in mind, at $34,490, the Challenger GT is reasonably priced and fairly well equipped. As its "grand touring" nameplate suggests, it has been positioned more as an all-weather mile-eating coupe than a track machine. To that end, it comes standard with Nappa-grade leather seats that are heated and ventilated up front, an Alpine audio system, and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen. For an additional $995, buyers can specify a package that adds Alcantara synthetic suede to the seats, three more Alpine speakers (for a total of nine), and a sportier steering wheel.
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A Super Track Pack switch pulls up the brand's Performance Pages that track 0-60 sprints, G-forces, and more, and there's even a full-off mode for the stability and traction control system if snow donuts are on your agenda (as they should be).
If you're a snow-belter looking for some all-weather swagger, the Challenger GT offers a fairly low price of entry and the promise of winter-friendly traction.
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