In 2015, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show witnessed a groundbreaking release by Dodge that ignited immense interest within the automotive community. This was none other than the 2015 Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept. This unique vehicle not only marked the first time a Challenger sported a factory-installed widebody kit, offering a sneak peek into the forthcoming 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s aesthetics but also introduced the fusion of HEMI muscle power with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system in the iconic Dodge muscle coupe.
The Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept broke the mold, allowing enthusiasts to relish high-speed power and performance while enjoying the confidence of enhanced traction throughout the year. Although Dodge eventually introduced the current Dodge Challenger SXT AWD and GT AWD models, both equipped with the 305-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, it was the 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 that truly stole the show in this concept.
Mopar, renowned for its innovation, ventured beyond its typical color schemes when designing the Dodge Challenger GT AWD Concept. They chose Header Orange as the highlight color, beautifully accenting the grille and taillight surround against the backdrop of Destroyer Grey body paint. This striking Header Orange theme continued with a distinctive stripe running through the Matte Black exterior, enveloping the upper portion of the vehicle from front to rear. Even the mirror caps sported Header Orange accent stripes. Such was the success of the Destroyer Grey color scheme that it found its way into Dodge’s official color palette a year after the concept’s debut.
The Challenger GT AWD Concept underwent a significant transformation in terms of its muscular appearance, thanks to Mopar’s widebody kit. The kit featured imposing wheel flares housing concept Mopar five-spoke wheels, measuring 20-inches x 10-inches at the front and 20-inches x 11-inches at the rear. These wheels were adorned with Mopar center caps painted to match the body color and wheels themselves.
The widebody kit not only added a touch of aggression to the Challenger’s heritage-inspired design but also brought functional elements such as a front chin splitter and rear spoiler, further enhancing the car’s aerodynamics. In the rear, you’d find quad Mopar exhaust tips finished in a powder-coated Satin Black, a Mopar fuel filler door with Satin Black coating adorned with a unique Mopar graphic, and a concept Mopar Design decklid badge, completing the rear-end modifications.
Inside the Challenger GT AWD Concept, the design seamlessly transitioned from the exterior, with Header Orange stitching adorning the luxurious Katzkin leather seats, center console, shifter boot, and side panels. These Katzkin seats were further elevated with medium taupe suede inserts, providing a harmonious blend of style and comfort. The steering wheel featured a flat-bottom design for enhanced control when navigating tight corners. Mopar door sill guards bearing the Challenger logo and a trunk mat added the finishing touches to the interior’s overall aesthetics.
Powering all four wheels was a robust 5.7-liter HEMI engine, mated to a ZF-sourced 8-speed transmission. To maximize performance, the HEMI was enhanced with the Mopar Scat Pack 3 Performance Kit, delivering a substantial boost of up to 75 additional horsepower and an extra 44 lb.-ft. of torque. This kit included Mopar Performance CNC-ported cylinder heads, Mopar hi-flow manifolds and hi-flow catalysts, a gasket set, exhaust manifolds, exhaust adapter, mounting brackets, hardware, and two Scat Pack 3 badges.
A concept Mopar suspension kit lowered the Challenger GT AWD Concept closer to the ground, reducing the vehicle’s center of gravity for race-inspired handling, further supported by production Mopar performance front and rear strut tower braces.
In essence, the Challenger GT AWD Concept served as a tantalizing glimpse into the future of Dodge’s automotive projects, uniting remarkable power, performance, and design innovation into one captivating package.
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