LuxuryCarMagazine En Luxury Car Review and News
If you’re like me, you like toys. If you’re also like me where funds are limited, making the right choice when it comes to getting that object of your desire is key. From where I stand, a pony car is a toy albeit one that can be used on a regular basis. The latest Mustang, Camaro and Challenger are packed with amenities and safety designed to make them as user friendly as possible.
Review Overview
Performance - 70%
Driving experience - 80%
Comfort - 80%
Security - 90%
Roominess - 80%
Prestige - 70%
78%
One, however, sticks out of the pack for more reasons than its sublime good looks alone. In a recent survey of its customers, FCA people found out that many of their Charger, or sensible family-type sedan, buyers would actually have preferred a Challenger had it been available with AWD. It didn’t take long for the creative and passionate people at FCA to “fix” the issue. Does AWD make the Challenger the ultimate 4-season toy?
The 2017 Dodge Challenger GT is now a fun-to-have all-weather championship toy thanks to the brand’s AWD’s system with active transfer case and front axle disconnect. The launch event had us not only drive through the countryside on various wet and snow-covered roads but we had a little fun at Club Motorsports in Tamworth, New Hampshire.
What I quickly discovered is a car that is capable at tackling slippery surfaces but at a price. The GT’s AWD system adds nearly 90 kg (200 lbs.) to the Challenger’s kerb weight. In order to offset and control the supplemental girth, FCA went over the Charger Pursuit’s parts bin and swapped over some suspension components.
The results are two-fold. The sporty nature of FCA’s excellent LX (LA – for the Challenger) platform seriously comes through on a smooth road. In fact, I think the GT’s road manners and stability are superior to those of an R/T. Sadly though, a rough road rears the hyper-stiff coil springs’ propensity to not comply with various undulations. Driving in downtown New York or Montreal will have you making an appointment with your chiropractor.
What also came to light is the fact that the sole powertrain that is comprised of the 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission are only sufficient to have some fun. All 305-horsepwoer and 268 torques arrive at relatively high rpm making the Challenger GT the farthest thing from a muscle car, especially if streetlight racing in the summer. In winter however, you will own nearly all other sporty 2-door coupes.
The GT’s transfer case holds a clutch pack that is tasked with sending a maximum of 38% of the engine’s available torque to the front. The only way to manually engage AWD is by selecting the Sport driving mode, otherwise the car figures it all out on its own. Road and driving condition, as well as ambient temperature, influence the system and given the max registered temp of 42 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 6 Celsius), the car never dropped out of AWD.
FCA’s made sure that the Challenger GT lives up to its potential as a tool of some hoonagism fun as the ESP can be fully switched off. In the right hands, the big Dodge coupe will oversteer and drift with certain ease thanks to high engine speeds. The power proportion practically ensures that understeer is impossible unless making a mistake.
As good to drive as it can be, what I truly appreciate is the car’s unquestionable good looks. In GT guise, the Challenger gains unique 19” black wheels, and few other touches including the discreet GT badges on its flanks.
The cabin is as airy and comfortable as always and there’s something about the smell, which makes me feel at home. Standard equipment level is high and includes the likes of heated seats and steering wheel along with the updated and sweet Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen display.
The $38,545 sticker price makes the Challenger GT a bargain all-season toy for grownups. If you’re ok with an occasionally rough ride, you’ll enjoy winter red-light racing just about everyone, especially any and all Camaros and Mustangs.
