Dodge Challenger Concept Gets All-Wheel-Drive Muscle

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV took the wraps off its Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept at this week’s Specialty Equipment Market Assn. show in Las Vegas.

Tuned by the carmaker’s Mopar performance arm, the concept model gets a beefed-up version of the all-wheel-drive system used on the police car variant of the Dodge Charger, as well as that model’s upgraded brakes. Modifications to the base Challenger GT chassis include lowering the suspension, increasing spring rates and adding strut braces. Mopar says the changes improve the car’s steering and turning capabilities.

A special performance kit boosts the output of the car’s 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine by 75 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque to 440 hp and 450 lb ft. The kit includes a larger air intake, new camshaft and a high-flow exhaust system and cylinder heads. The engine is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Other goodies include a wide body kit, front splitter, rear spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels, quad exhaust tips and a special paint color with contrasting decals. The scheme is repeated in the interior