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It seems Commodore is not the only performance model moving to offer all-wheel drive (AWD), with the US-only Dodge Challenger now able to shift grunt to all four wheels – although the extra traction is not teamed with the engine that may need it most.
Dodge has not mated the AWD system with the burly 527kW/881Nm 6.2-litre Hemi V8 available in the range-topping Hellcat. Despite tempting its back boots into furious wheelspin at any point, it can still manage a 3.6-second 0-100km/h.
Instead, defunct-in-Oz Dodge has mated its 3.6-litre direct injection V6 – again, like a certain future Holden – with AWD to create, the company claims, “the world’s first and only all-wheel drive American muscle coupe.”
The major upside of this all-weather muscle car is that its AWD system typically pushes 100 per cent of torque to the rear wheels. Only when sensors detect a lack of traction does the front driveshaft engage.
The electronic stability control (ESC) system promises to maintain a “fun-to-drive character” while a Sport mode changes the shift patterns of the automatic to become more aggressive.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia (FCAA) is working hard on a business case to bring the next-generation Challenger Down Under – but no decision has yet been made.
But the V6 AWD versions can probably stay in snowy Michigan.
