2013 Dodge Dart from the minds of Alfa Romeo.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Dec. 6, 2011
Only a hint of what is to come from Chrysler’s performance division.
A remake of an American classic with Italian underpinnings, Dodge reenters the compact segment with style. The iconic nameplate is being prepped for its world debut at the 2012 NAIAS this coming January.
With an Alfa Romeo platform and Dodge’s performance appearance oriented nature, the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is a modern vehicle that is said to be fuel-efficient, Italian designed, and brings back a time when Dodge and compact went together like Charger and Hemi do today.
The Dodge Dart is being reintroduced after a 25-year hiatus, and is set to make its world debut on January 9th, 2012 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Dart was originally introduced back in 1960 and was last produced in 1976.
Similar to the Dart of the 1960s and 70s, the 2013 Dart offers style and innovation. Dodge and Fiat together are making a global compact platform with a name that brings back memories of a simpler time when Dodge was a heavyweight on the track just as it was in the minds of the average everyday US consumer.
Alfa Romeo beneath the hood
The 2013 Dart is the first Chrysler vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture – adapted from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is a larger compact that is said to ride and handle well and with the latest safety additions, should prove to be as safe as it is “pretty”
The new compact architecture underpinning the Dart includes an industry-leading
68 percent of the body composed of high-strength steel, resulting in a very strong and rigid yet lightweight structure. Combined with
four-wheel independent suspension, the Dart may be just the car to make Dodge’s compact class comeback a success.
Exterior design
The 2013 Dart marks the Dodge brand’s re-entry into the compact sedan segment with a modern Dodge design that builds upon its performance heritage while evoking emotion and efficiency. And more importantly, Dodge is promising class-leading aerodynamics.
The all-new Dart incorporates a split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps and fog lamps and accentuated fenders.
The Drivetrain(s)
Three of them. That is right, right out of the European parts bin, the Dart will arrive with 3 I4’sand three different transmissions. Now when was the last time you had that kind of choice in the compact segment?
The engine choices include a 16-valve 2.0L, a 16-valve 1.4L MultiAir Intercooled Turbo, and a 16-valve 2.4L. These three engines and the three transmission choices, combine to make up an interesting addition to the Dodge brand. Namely, three I4 and tranny choices for the same vehicle?
2013 Dodge Dart - Sneak Peek
Made in America
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be made in the US at Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, IL just 60 miles due west of my present location. The Company is in the process of investing $600 million dollars to support the production of future products, including the 2013 Dodge Dart. The investment includes the construction of a 638,000-square-foot body shop, as well as the installation of new machinery, tooling and material handling equipment. Work on the expansion began in the summer of 2010 and will be completed this year.
This one is the Dodge we have been waiting for and let us all hope it’s a good one for Chrysler’s still continuing resurgence from the brink.
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