- 2020 Dodge Charger GT arrives with all-wheel drive capability.
- The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 delivers a healthy 300 horsepower.
- Dealer orders for the Charger GT AWD will open by January 2020.
It’s snowing and let’s say you live in, oh, Iowa. You’ve got to run to the store and get some much needed supplies (beer and pizza). Now, what kind of car are you going to take? A Dodge Charger might not be your first choice, but since Mopar is now making an all-wheel drive version of their reborn Charger, it’s now a viable choice.
Or, at least that’s what Dodge wants you to believe.
Look, I’m not going to argue with them here, but what we’re really talking about is a little bit more assurance – more grip, more handling and such – regardless of (most) weather.
Muscle Car Flavor All Year
No, if you’re a resident of Iliamna, Alaska, you’re not going to ditch your jacked-up 4X4 in favor of “America’s only four-door muscle car,” but if you live somewhere besides the desert southwest or sunny Florida, the Charger GT AWD could be a sensible choice. And, if you believe the hype, you won’t be losing any of that muscle car flavor.
Dodge says adding all-wheel drive didn’t compromise the experience for muscle car enthusiasts (i.e. us) and by adding it, the Charger GT has tons to offer, all year long.
Charger GT All-Wheel Drive: How It Works
How Dodge does this is rather trick. Putting that power to the ground through all four wheels is done via this neat active transfer case and front-axle disconnect system. The Charger GT AWD can seamlessly transition between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention. Under normal conditions, the front wheels are disengaged and 100 percent of the engine’s torque goes to the rear.
When the sensors indicate the need for additional traction, the system automatically engages the front wheels, transitioning the Charger GT into all-wheel drive mode. I’ll say thanks in advance. If, for some reason, you want to manually dial up the all-wheel drive, you can do that by pushing the “sport” button.
- Related: A complete look at the 2020 Dodge Charger lineup.
Dashing Through The Snow
Other advanced drivetrain trickery includes the Vehicle Dynamic Control system for better handling on all surfaces, especially in snow and slush. The system provides additional traction on slippery roads to help the driver stay on the straight and narrow.
If you’re a knuckle-dragging yahoo like us and enjoy rear-wheel drive cars, even when (especially when?) it’s slippery outside, the Charger GT has a three-mode electronic stability control that can be switched completely off. Dodge says, in their press release, that the “full-off” mode is a “fun feature for drifting through snowy scenes.” (I bet that gave the legal department conniptions.)
How Much Horsepower Does The 2020 Dodge Charger GT AWD Have?
The Charger GT AWD is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which cranks out a healthy 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is attached to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic with a 3.07 rear axle ratio. In case you’re into mileage figures, the Charger GT AWD gets 18/27 city/highway and 21 combined.
- Related: A deep dive into your Dodge warranty and if you have enough.
Performance Goodies
The new Charger GT AWD has paddle sifters, a sport mode, and Dodge’s infamous Performance Pages. When you go with sport mode, all-wheel drive is fully engaged, gear changes are quicker, and revs are held higher for better acceleration.
There’s a nifty little button that turns on the Super Track Pak. This activates the Performance Pages and launch control features which are displayed on the 8.4-inch touchscreen. The Performance Pages show a bunch of different performance info: reaction times, zero to 60 times, G-force indicator, and lap times and such.
Styling & Design
The Charger GT’s all-wheel drive system and the other performance goodies reside beneath the car’s signature and intimidating look. Like other Chargers in the family, the GT has a performance hood, unique front and rear fascias, sculpted side sills, and a spoiler. The Charger GT AWD rides on P235/55R19 BSW all-season performance tires, mounted on 19-inch aluminum wheels in a Satin Carbon finish (optional in Black Noise).
How Much Is The 2020 Dodge Charger GT AWD?
The 2020 Dodge Charger GT AWD has a starting price of $34,995, with an additional $1,495 destination charge. Dealer orders open in January with the Charger GT AWD scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2020.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.
