Dodge: Dart News **To Be Discontinued (Page 3)
12-06-2011, 11:45 AM
#1
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
Dodge: Dart News **To Be Discontinued (Page 3)
Dodge has revived its historic Dart nameplate for a new compact sedan based on the European-market Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Although we’ll have to wait until early January for the Dart’s full reveal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Michigan automaker has given up the goods on some of the Dart’s details.
The two teaser images released so far indicate that the front and rear fascias draw heavily on the rest of Dodge’s lineup. Up front, we can see the company’s trademark crosshair grille, which blends into swept-back headlamps that are less conventional than those seen on the Charger. But the Charger’s familial ties are obvious out back, where the Dart gets what looks like an almost identical LED tail lamp treatment and what Dodge says is a class-exclusive dual exhaust setup.
We haven’t seen the Dart’s interior, but Dodge tells us to mark our calendars for December 13, when it will offer up a few additional teasers.
The Dart rides on Fiat’s Compact U.S. Wide architecture, which initially debuted on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Boasted what Dodge says is an industry-topping 68 percent high strength steel content, the platform is likely to be very stiff and rigid. Dodge says that the Dart will ride on a fully independent suspension and will offer 18-inch wheels as an option.
Under its hood, Dart will offer three 16-valve four-cylinder engine choices: A pair of new 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines codenamed Tigershark or a Fiat-developed 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir four-cylinder. The 2.4-liter Tigershark engine will also feature Fiat’s MultiAir technology, the same combustion-optimizing design used in the Fiat 500. Dodge has not announced specific power outputs for the engines, although it did state that three transmission choices will be on offer.
Dart will be built at Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant, a facility that currently puts together its Jeep Patriot and Compass models.
Although we’ll have to wait until early January for the Dart’s full reveal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Michigan automaker has given up the goods on some of the Dart’s details.
The two teaser images released so far indicate that the front and rear fascias draw heavily on the rest of Dodge’s lineup. Up front, we can see the company’s trademark crosshair grille, which blends into swept-back headlamps that are less conventional than those seen on the Charger. But the Charger’s familial ties are obvious out back, where the Dart gets what looks like an almost identical LED tail lamp treatment and what Dodge says is a class-exclusive dual exhaust setup.
We haven’t seen the Dart’s interior, but Dodge tells us to mark our calendars for December 13, when it will offer up a few additional teasers.
The Dart rides on Fiat’s Compact U.S. Wide architecture, which initially debuted on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Boasted what Dodge says is an industry-topping 68 percent high strength steel content, the platform is likely to be very stiff and rigid. Dodge says that the Dart will ride on a fully independent suspension and will offer 18-inch wheels as an option.
Under its hood, Dart will offer three 16-valve four-cylinder engine choices: A pair of new 2.0 and 2.4-liter engines codenamed Tigershark or a Fiat-developed 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir four-cylinder. The 2.4-liter Tigershark engine will also feature Fiat’s MultiAir technology, the same combustion-optimizing design used in the Fiat 500. Dodge has not announced specific power outputs for the engines, although it did state that three transmission choices will be on offer.
Dart will be built at Chrysler’s Belvidere, Illinois, assembly plant, a facility that currently puts together its Jeep Patriot and Compass models.
12-06-2011, 12:07 PM
#3
Moderator
Looks like the love child from an unfortunate (read drunken) union between a Challenger and a Neon.
12-06-2011, 12:54 PM
#6
Moderator
Trending Topics
12-06-2011, 01:08 PM
#8
Color me interested. I love Alfa Romeos, if that's what this truly is.
12-06-2011, 01:23 PM
#10
2016 Acura TLX
reminds me of chevy sticking the camaro tail on the malibu. in both cases, it does not work. hopefully they did their homework and the car is competitive.
12-06-2011, 01:46 PM
#11
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
...and bring back the SWINGER edition and logo too.
12-06-2011, 03:18 PM
#13
Race Director
Like the previous collaboration with MB, the end Dodge product will have only slight indications of the underlying make. You are not going to get an Alfa interior nor sheet metal that hints at its Fiat roots.
12-06-2011, 03:50 PM
#15
I'm not so worried about the looks as I am the powertrains and driving experience.
12-06-2011, 06:42 PM
#16
And every ass end of a BMW, doesn't look alike, hell front end and sides as well. Hard to tell them difference between a 1, 3 or 5 (add an X to that for their SUV's) most of the time.
12-06-2011, 06:51 PM
#17
Moderator
12-06-2011, 07:41 PM
#18
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"Historic" Dart nameplate?
What was so "historic" about it back then....other that it was a ho-hum car.....
What was so "historic" about it back then....other that it was a ho-hum car.....
12-06-2011, 09:30 PM
#20
Senior Moderator
So, Neon redone...?
12-07-2011, 01:00 AM
#22
The Third Ball
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I see this as being a very important car for the Dodge nameplate...so heres to hoping they get it right.
It seems this will be their compact model...replacing the shitty caliber. It is meant to be a high volume car.
I'm seeing/guessing the style will have bit more euro in the design with a hint of the American muscle.
Hopefully, the abundance of engine and transmission choices doesn't hurt it out of the gate giving consumers too much choice that they can't make up their minds. And on top of that...hopefully these newer 4 cyl engines are good engines.
An SRT model of this car couldn't be very potent and good looking.
We'll see in the coming months. I feel like this car could potentially make or break Dodge as they are finally cresting the hill and making really good products.
It seems this will be their compact model...replacing the shitty caliber. It is meant to be a high volume car.
I'm seeing/guessing the style will have bit more euro in the design with a hint of the American muscle.
Hopefully, the abundance of engine and transmission choices doesn't hurt it out of the gate giving consumers too much choice that they can't make up their minds. And on top of that...hopefully these newer 4 cyl engines are good engines.
An SRT model of this car couldn't be very potent and good looking.
We'll see in the coming months. I feel like this car could potentially make or break Dodge as they are finally cresting the hill and making really good products.
12-07-2011, 09:02 AM
#23
Race Director
Hmmm....so then what happens to the 200? I thought in the long run everything from mid-sized down would be some Fiat platform whore job while everything bigger would be traditional Detroit iron (Charger, etc.).
12-07-2011, 10:18 AM
#24
Fahrvergnügen'd
I would buy a Focus over this car but I'm still curious to see how it turns out.
I don't think Chrysler can help themselves right now. With the exception of the Challenger, the rest of their cars are curiously designed at best.
I don't think Chrysler can help themselves right now. With the exception of the Challenger, the rest of their cars are curiously designed at best.
12-08-2011, 04:00 PM
#26
But I also know that I could line up the 1,3, and 5. and at least 75% would think they were the same car. Just like a Avalon, Camry and Corolla.
12-08-2011, 04:19 PM
#27
Moderator
Your statement just makes it that much more curious that you attacked my post (apparently assuming that I was a BMW fan-boy in the process) at all. In other words - just state your opinion on the car that is the focus of the thread and be done with it. Geesh.
12-08-2011, 09:14 PM
#28
Nom Nom Nom Nom
Granted, they are the top of the line models, but I think they look pretty damn good myself.
12-09-2011, 10:52 AM
#29
Fahrvergnügen'd
^^^ Any time I try to talk about the Charger I end up feeling like Thermon ...
But the Charger is a mess. The Grand Cherokee, Challenger, and 300C SRT-8 are attractive. I'll give them that.
I just wouldn't buy a Chrysler product. I don't like their corporate design theme or the choices they make from an ergonomic/material perspective.
But the Charger is a mess. The Grand Cherokee, Challenger, and 300C SRT-8 are attractive. I'll give them that.
I just wouldn't buy a Chrysler product. I don't like their corporate design theme or the choices they make from an ergonomic/material perspective.
12-09-2011, 11:00 AM
#30
Nom Nom Nom Nom
Different strokes for different folks I guess. I've driven a 2011 charger v6 and it was a pretty decent car. Good power from that v6 and the ride was good as well. The styling isn't for everyone, sure, but I like it. 
12-09-2011, 07:29 PM
#31
Looks interesting. Cohesive at least.
I think Chrysler has produced great designs recently. (300, Grand Cherokee, Challenger) The 200, while impressive for a facelift, is still odd looking. And while I love the rear of the new Charger, it isn't as cohesive in design as it could've been. It has some odd angles and cues.
We own two Chryslers (2006 & 2007, and both a product from a merger) and both have been problem free. We've only had one issue that the dealer promptly fixed under warranty.
I think Chrysler has produced great designs recently. (300, Grand Cherokee, Challenger) The 200, while impressive for a facelift, is still odd looking. And while I love the rear of the new Charger, it isn't as cohesive in design as it could've been. It has some odd angles and cues.
We own two Chryslers (2006 & 2007, and both a product from a merger) and both have been problem free. We've only had one issue that the dealer promptly fixed under warranty.
12-13-2011, 04:48 PM
#32
The sizzle in the Steak
Thread Starter
Interior shots
12-13-2011, 04:56 PM
#33
This car looks really promising. Hopefully the driving dynamics and everything are up to snuff to match the rest of what looks like a solid package
12-13-2011, 06:32 PM
#35
The Third Ball
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Interesting. Looks like the dash flow
Follows the same lead as the charger...so people who don't love that design probably won't love this one.
Follows the same lead as the charger...so people who don't love that design probably won't love this one.
12-14-2011, 08:46 AM
#38
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from their website:
The all-new Dart is built with a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, exciting bursts of color and hand-sculpted shapes typically found in more expensive vehicle segments. Dart is loaded with cool amenities, unexpected delights, and surprises of color throughout. Packaged in the footprint of a compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart features the interior spaciousness of a mid-sized sedan.
The high-tech centerpiece of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart houses the available UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center -- the largest touch-screen in its class. Class-leading safety is highlighted by segment-exclusive available blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection and an unsurpassed 10 standard airbags.
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart offers 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions. And the combinations are multiplied exponentially, as Mopar® will also offer hundreds of customization options.
Available "racetrack" lighting surrounds the floating island bezel which houses the segment-exclusive 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround.
The all-new Dart is built with a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, exciting bursts of color and hand-sculpted shapes typically found in more expensive vehicle segments. Dart is loaded with cool amenities, unexpected delights, and surprises of color throughout. Packaged in the footprint of a compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart features the interior spaciousness of a mid-sized sedan.
The high-tech centerpiece of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart houses the available UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center -- the largest touch-screen in its class. Class-leading safety is highlighted by segment-exclusive available blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection and an unsurpassed 10 standard airbags.
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart offers 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions. And the combinations are multiplied exponentially, as Mopar® will also offer hundreds of customization options.
Available "racetrack" lighting surrounds the floating island bezel which houses the segment-exclusive 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround.
