2017 Dodge Challenger R/T
Sparkling new cars lined up this Wednesday at McCormick Place’s Concept & Technology Garage to help kick off the 2017 Chicago Auto Show--the nation’s largest automotive exhibition featuring the latest innovations of the global automotive industry. The Concept & Technolgy Garage offered a special preview of some of the new models that would soon be hitting the showroom floor at McCormick place, long-time host of the Chicago Auto Show, as well as the opportunity to take them for a spin.
Emerging from the shadows of the garage in shiny Contusion Blue, the
2017 Dodge Challenger R/T rolled out to the floor, ready to show off its stuff.
The 2017 Dodge Challenger R/T pulls into the garage at McCormick Place
On a test drive at the Concept & Technology Garage, McCormick Place
This year’s Challenger still pays heed to its classic muscle car roots. “The modern Challenger is designed around the 1971 Challenger,” explained Challenger Brand Manager, Ben Lyon, who presented the car at the Concept & Technology Garage. “With its split grill and bone-line silhouette, it’s got that signature muscle car look,” said Lyon. What’s also special about the 2017 model is that it’s the first and only all-wheel drive muscle coupe, which gives it reliability through multiple seasons and terrains. “You just get in and go. And you do it in a stylish package,” said Lyon with a grin.
To see for myself, I took the waiting Challenger for a test drive around the garage. Right off the bat, the car goes strong. Bulky but not clumsy, it really hones in on its sense of strength and power performance, and you feel that in the drive. With 375 horsepower , 8-speed auto transmission, and V-8 fuel injection, this car knows how to carry its weight, and, as Lyon will contest, looks dang good doing it.
The 2017 Challenger is on view at this year’s
Chicago Auto Show at
McCormick Place (
2301 S King Dr) , which takes place from February 11th to February 20
th.
Tickets to the Auto Show are $13 for adults and $7 for children. For more info on the 2017 Challenger (or to look into driving off in one of your own), visit
its page on the Dodge website.
All photos by Stephanie Lenchard Warren
