More on the 2013 Dodge Dart

[xcel]

Interior highlighted with class exclusive personalization features.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Dec. 15, 2011

Low frontal of the 2013 Dodge Dart from the initial reveal two weeks ago.

Dodge is making a move into the compact segment with the 2013 Dart, a market that they have essentially skipped for decades. The Dart is a “Blast from the Past” and was officially revealed just two weeks ago as described in The Dodge We Have Been Waiting For Arrives This January write-up.

On Tuesday, Dodge released more details on the upcoming Dart’s interior which makes for an intriguing entry into the already hyper competitive segment.

Quality and Passenger Volume Featured

Dodge stated they are (were) focused on a higher quality design and build, and state-of-the-art technology when creating the Dart’s interior. Starting with Dodge’s penchant for a more aggressive looking interior display and through the use of ambient interior lighting, high-quality soft-touch materials and high-tech features, the 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with amenities and unexpected delights for both drivers and passengers.

The Dart’s customizable displays are supposed to work in harmony with all-new comfort-tuned seats with the compact having the interior passenger volume of a mid-size including best-in-class hip and shoulder room. Midsize interior room really begins at 95 + cu. ft. with the EPA categorizing a mid-sized sedan at 110 cu. ft. of passenger and cargo volumes combined.

Customization with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions, personalizes the Dart to fit just about any individual style. In addition, Mopar will also offer hundreds of customization options and themed packages specifically developed for the Dart. This level of customization will make it very difficult for dealer floor plan selections, costs to carry, overall pricing and probably most importantly, the increased risk of quality failures as customization complexity increases.

Class-leading Tech

Having sat in a number of Chrysler products with the 8.4” touch screens, this is an area where Dodge has it right. The screen is not only large, so are the icons making them easy to understand at a glance and select without much thought or distraction. The Dart will be offered with the same optional UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center. This is a feature lacking in the current crop of infotainment and NAVI offerings including possibly the worst example, the 2012 Civic’s multiple small buttons surrounding the DIN packaged 6.5” screened NAVI unit.

2013 Dodge Dart Infotainment/NAVI Screen


The competitive rivals in the compact segment just received their walking papers with this beauty

The 2013 Dodge Dart will be the first to offer a floating island bezel, which houses an optional 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround. While this feature definitely points to the future and is currently standard fare on some uber luxury models, this will be a first for the compact segment and sure to be a show stopper wherever the Dart arrives

2013 Dodge Dart Gauge Cluster


Nobody provides as an attractive gauge display as the upcoming 2013 Dodge Dart. Fantastic!

Anyone notice the Dart’s gauge cluster with the 35 mpgUS displayed? Could that be a combined figure when equipped with the 1.4L turbo? Time will soon tell.

The glove box is reportedly large enough to conceal a full iPad; the center console features aux jacks to plug in a wide variety of electronic devices, and additional storage solutions include such things as a console map pocket.

An Available “racetrack” lighting surrounds the floating island bezel. Ambient lighting for the door handles, map pockets, foot wells, glove box, storage bin and illuminated cup holders is both useful and provides a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle.

All in, the Dart should prove to be a really unique addition to the compact segment and even if it does not take a large percentage of market share, its presence will be felt with other manufacturers watching, studying and reengineering their own offerings to better compete with the class exclusivity that the Dart will surely provide. Can you imagine what the Corolla product line manager in Japan must be thinking with this release piling on him like all the rest?

I am only sorry I was out of town when this was first reported

[MaxxMPG]

The ZF 9 speed automatic - A conventional automatic with torque converter and planetary geartrain - will arrive at some point after launch (maybe mid year). And the top four ratios are overdrives. ZF says it is start/stop ready without an additional oil pump. And it is the first automatic to use dog clutches (two are used) instead of sprag/roller clutches, and that means less internal friction. To further minimize friction losses, only four wet plate clutches are used instead of five or more used in competitive designs.

Fuel efficiency is significantly better than the dual clutch 6AT, or so says ZF. One thing is for sure - They're picking the right parts for the '13 Dart, and they appear to be serious about fuel economy.

[xcel]

Hi Chris:

As you know, over the years there have been a number of vehicles from Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota that have stirred me up with anticipation. There has never been a Dodge product anywhere close to that list. Today, the Dart ranks in the top 5 of all makes and models we have explored in one form or another over the years and I cannot wait to find out even more

Wayne

[MaxxMPG]

Wayne,
Reposting this content here from the other thread to provide information for readers who spot this thread first...

More tantalizing tidbits on the ZF 9 speed automatic that will be finding its way under the hood of the Dart at some time after initial sales:

- It is the first automatic transmission to use dog clutches instead of more common roller or sprag clutches or mechanical diodes. Dog clutches don't have the friction losses of other clutch designs. It has two dog clutches, and then four conventional friction clutches - two of which are used as brakes to hold planetary gearset elements stationary so they can function as reaction elements.

- Because first gear is applied using only one brake clutch, very little fluid pressure/volume is required to apply that gear, and so ZF says this new transmission is start/stop capable without any additional oil pump.

- And the ratio spread is interesting - overall range is 9.81:1 and the ratio steps are shallow. And can you say quadruple overdrive?!

1st - 4.70:1
2nd- 2.84:1
3rd - 1.90:1
4th - 1.38:1
5th - 1.00:1 (direct drive)
6th - 0.80:1
7th - 0.70:1
8th - 0.58:1
9th - 0.48:1
Rev- -3.80:1

I downloaded some documentation on the new Mystery Gearbox and it is a fascinating departure from the Lepelletier clones we've seen these last five years as the six speed automatic has become more common. ZF said internal testing is showing a 10% reduction in fuel consumption with the 9AT vs their 6AT, using a Mini as a test mule.

Although the details are taken from documentation provided by ZF, I found it very interesting that they noted a 10% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the 6AT (torque converter & planetary) offered in the Mini.

My take is that Chrysler has a very interesting transmission option planned and I hope they use its capability to catapult the Dart to the head of the class rather than use it as a band-aid for a less efficient engine calibration or to compensate for excessive curb weight.

[herm]

Would you buy that first year ZF 9 speed transmission?.. I would be worried.

[EdwinTheMagnificent]

yeah, remember the TorqueFlite ?

[dr61]

Since they are using a Mini for testing, and BMW buys many ZF transmissions, I expect to see this one in BMW products also.

[MaxxMPG]

BMW is all RWD in the US, but it may show up in the Mini at some time in the future.

It'd be a natural for the Fiat 500 as well, as a replacement for the Aisin Warner 6 speed automatic offered now. ZF is offering two versions of the 9 speed, including a smaller and lighter version with lower torque capacity - perfect for small engines and small cars.

The new 9 speed uses a nested rear planetary gearset (the ring gear of the inner unit is the sun gear of the outer unit) to save space, and ZF says the outer dimensions are similar to a six speed automatic with the same torque capacity. And they say the unit cost is in line with the 6AT as well. So any manufacturer offering a ZF six speed automatic could theoretically offer the nine speed without major engineering work in the engine bay.

[MaxxMPG]

Originally Posted by herm

Would you buy that first year ZF 9 speed transmission?.. I would be worried.

Originally Posted by EdwinTheMagnificent

yeah, remember the TorqueFlite ?

Maybe they could call it the TorqueFright?

[2RR2NV]

yeah i recall the torqueflight... handled anything a big block could throw at it.... unless you mean the neutered 518 and newer ones.... yes... they suck. and i can say that cause i worked on too many and owned a few. but the old ones... like in my 69 Roadrunner.... 383ci 4bbl. that 727 was one tough tranny. 904 not as much, but it still was better than what they put in the 94 and up Rams. ARGH!!!!

my problem, i just bought the LRE. can't really trade the LRE in for the Dart so soon. and yes, i want one. and that's why ya have a warranty. there's more than just the tranny that's an issue for a 1st year car....