2013 DODGE DART R/T

Using the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a new sedan is due to be made in the United States, with full production starting in April 2012 (delayed from January). It will finally fill in a gap left by the Neon.

The car was in early pilot production in late October 2011. As early as 2009, this car was planned on extended Fiat C-EVO dimensions and the Fiat electronics network, along with a retuned Chrysler World Gas Engine and the 1.4 liter turbocharged Fiat engine. One version of the new Dodge will get 40 mpg.

The reliable source oh2o wrote that it will be surprisingly well equipped, with SE (base) getting 16 inch wheels, and SXT and Limited going to 17" wheels; there will be a Rallye option for the SXT. All trim lines will get lots of airbags including knee bags (possibly for passengers as well), LED tail lamps, and optional Blind Spot/Cross Path detection and trailer sway damping; HIDs will be optional as well. Well appointed interiors will have tilt/telescope steering column even on SE; Limited will get a heated steering wheel. Seats will be covered in cloth fabric with accents, denim seats, or leather.

All wheel drive is coming, perhaps with late availability. Some sources claim a nine-speed automatic is in the cards, but if so, it's going to be a late arrival.

The big new 8.4" stereos will be used with and without navigation, and backup cameras and 506-watt 9-speaker amps will be optional.

Retuning of the World Gas Engine was described by CJDR Tech: the 2.0 will have its VVT system retuned for a broader power band, sacrificing some peak horsepower but increasing gas mileage and performance; the manifolds will be swapped so the intake is in back; and the valvetrain will be updated to roller cam followers, doing away with the buckets on the valve springs.

Similar changes appear to be taking place on the 2.4 liter engine, which was originally quoted as running around 240 horsepower (we assumed the production version would be around 200), but now the 2.4 seems to be rated at 185 hp. Both the new 2.0 and new 2.4 are to be badged as Tiger Shark, (or Tigershark as the press release puts it), but it's possible there will be a hotter 2.4 for mid-sized cars.

The Fiat turbo 1.4 will also power the PF. Transmissions will most likely include the Fiat dual-clutch automated-manual transmission, with a manual transmission version of that transmission. It will use electrically boosted power steering, according to CJDR Tech.

The 2.4 will be used in the R/T model, and is expected to get a bit over 32 mpg (highway). The Eco model, with 40 mpg, is slated for late arrival.

"PhantomSpazz" wrote that the interior would be easily best-in-class, including a full animated center cluster — when the car is turned on, the speedometer and gas gauge animate with the Dodge logo; leave your door open and a realistic 3D-rendered PF will show up in the EVIC with its door open. Turn by turn navigation includes a realistic car image; EVIC is seven inches diagonally, and as you drive, you see a flower growing if you are driving efficiently. The colors are "young and hip." ... The LUX interior has a light leather, as seen in Journey, but with bright stitching, or black leather seats with red stitching. It has an aluminum-type dashboard which wraps around the radio, steering wheel and cluster, glowing around the edges. The RT and Lux model also come with mood lighting in the interior. There are lights near the passenger and driver feet, lights behind the interior door handles, lights in the center storage and lights in the bottom of both doors where you would keep maps and books.
oh2o wrote that a high priority was placed on aerodynamics, with a smooth underbody and new-for-Chrysler active grille shutters; transmissions will be the six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch with AutoStick.

New source "PhantomSpazz" said the models would be the base SE, volume SXT, Rallye (possibly as an SXT package), R/T, and a Limited. It will reportedly be the longest, widest, and tallest car in its class, and the interior will be quieter than the very-quiet Chevrolet Cruze.

The 1.4 belts out around 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque in the Fiat 500 Abarth; it might be "downtuned" to around 150 hp for this application. The 2.4, according to PhantomSpazz, is currently estimated at 185 hp, a moderate boost over the current 172 hp 2.4; however, past rumors suggested that it would be more drivable, with horsepower not as restricted to the higher engine speeds. Torque for this engine is estimated at 170 lb-ft.

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[originaldriver]

Is it rear-wheel drive? If its another FWD car, then forget it.

[capecodcuda]

@originaldriver i hate FWD cars

[bobbywayne310]

I have a 72 dodge dart....I wished if they where gonna do a compact car they would call it something else and make the new dart with a hemi and better looking



[capecodcuda]

@bobbywayne310 i hear you there ... i like the old A-body dart

[huskeyOO7]

I have an original 1963 dodge dart cant wait for these to come out

[capecodcuda]

@huskeyOO7 ... I rather drive a 1963 dodge dart :)~

[HellBender1138]

@capecodcuda Why the FWD hate? Just trying to get enlightened here. I always thought FWD was good for when you have to deal with snow covered conditions, of which RWD would be a nightmare in. Thanks in advance.

[TheBrandongenovese]

Shitty vid

[tman7546]

i really want to get this car for my mom

[thybigballs]

This is all you're gonna show? I can't really tell what it looks like.

[originaldriver]

@topefisher1 I was hoping that someone was going to make a fun RWD small compact for a change. Its not elegance, or "exotica" that draws me to a car. Its platform... plain and simple.

A car is essentially a metal frame with 4 wheels under it. Give it a lively AWD or RWD layout, responsive but livable suspension and a sporty engine option (maybe an N/A 220hp or more) and you have something epic.

This is just a re-dressed commuter car. (I could be wrong of course since Ive never driven one.)

[topefisher1]

@originaldriver

Look at the sales of that BMW 1M they sold all 739 straight off the line with 1 being used as the pace car at Daytona 24 Hr race. If a small expensive car like that can sell so fast why are not the american car manufactures doing what they did in the 60's and giving us American versions of Euro Exotica at a fraction of the price. Makes sense to me

[SirMosesWellington]

FWD cars are better in the real world for traction and for weather, and at least here in the US people suck at bad wether driving...well, they suck at driving period. I'd rather them be driving FWD vehicles than RWD, and here in the northeast my 01 Sebring coupe and 00 300M have no issues getting around...but the 05 Charger has massive issues, even with ABS and ESP.

[originaldriver]

@topefisher1 Yep... not gonna touch it.

[topefisher1]

@originaldriver. If it's based on the Giulietta it's front wheel drive i'm afraid. Shame non of these manufacturers can bring out smaller rear wheel drive performance cars any more. Apart from BMW have a look at the M1

[originaldriver]

@juscurious So this is yet another silly FWD? Shit... there went my interest...