First Impressions - 2013 Dodge Dart

2013 Dodge Dart


I never really was a fan of the Dodge Caliber (the raucous Caliber SRT4 being somewhat of an exception). Meant to compete with Civics and Corollas, the Caliber never made much of a dent in the segment due to its uninspiring driving dynamics, cheap interior and overall oddness. The introduction of the new 2013 Dodge Dart aims to right the Caliber's flaws.

2013 Dodge Dart rear

Look closely at the Dart's profile and hints of its Neon predecessor can be seen. The car's greenhouse, low nose and upwardly angled belt line are clear indications that Dodge took a page out of the Neon's book as far as aggressiveness is concerned. The Dart appears to be what the Neon would look like had Dodge not stopped the car's development. The exterior design is overall handsome, especially in R/T guise with the blackened signature Dodge crosshair grille front and center framed by a gaping lower opening and flared headlight clusters. Want to know how you can tell you're approaching a Dart at night? the racetrack-designed rear lighting system is a dead giveaway (though it could be mistaken for a Charger at a distance).

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

The Dart chucks the Caliber's flaccid platform in favor of the Fiat-designed underpinnings used by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta's, although stretched in all directions and strengthened for American standards. The Guiletta is a great starting point as it offer's Italian levels of strength, stiffness and rigidity. Thus the Dart should compete very well in the compact segment, equaling or besting interior dimensions of competitors like the Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus.

Inside, the Dart reflects Chrysler's new level of interior quality. The instrument cluster presents a seven inch TFT (thin film transistor) screen that is customizable by the driver and in the center is a huge 8.4 inch screen that serves as the interface for Chrysler's UConnect infotainment system. Material quality should match those offered by the peers of the segment.

2013 Dodge Dart Interior

Power for the 2013 Dodge Dart comes from a new range of 4 cylinder engines dubbed 'Tigershark' (!!??) by Chrysler. Anchoring base models is a 2.0 rated at 160hp and 148 lb-ft of torque while mid-levels carry an optional 2.4 Tigershark equipped with Fiat's Multiair variable intake valve system rated at 184hp and 171lb-ft of torque. The headline engine however is Fiat's turbocharged Multiair 1.4 producing 160hp and 184lb-ft of torque, aiding the Dart to achieve its 40mpg combined rating. Manual and automatic six speed transmissions will be available with a six speed dual clutch automatic expected to be paired exclusively with the 1.6. A nine speed (!) automatic will be introduced for calendar year 2013.

From an initial standpoint, the 2013 Dodge Dart looks to make a serious presence in the compact segment and finally offers Chrysler a substantial product miles ahead of the dowdy Caliber.

Stay tuned for my test drive later in the spring.

Images courtesy of www.insideline.com

Short Test - 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 tester


Base Price - $43780
Price as Tested - $47140
Basic Specs
Engine - 6.4 OHV V8 470hp, 470lb-ft of torque
Transmission - 5 speed automatic
Rear Wheel Drive
4 wheel independent suspension


You can hear it from down the street. I'm talking about the 6.4 liter beast of a HEMI engine as the vehicle comes into view. A subtle, yet guttural growl that announces its presence in a way that takes you back to the golden age of muscle cars (yes, yes, I wasn't born in time to partake of that era but I've watched enough videos and been around enough vintage cars to know that sound). The car in question is the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 (392 for the engine size in cubic inches if you're from that era) and it sounds mean. Dodge's modern take on the muscle car has been around since 2006 when it debuted in concept form at the North American International Auto Show to much acclaim from the public. Despite being modernized, it was obvious that the Challenger took its design cues from its 1960s predecessor. Based on a shortened version of Chrysler's LX platform (Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger/Magnum) the Challenger has low and mean look to it, that definitely exudes presence and aggression, something the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang lack.

SRT8 = Street & Racing Technology via 8 cylinders

My test vehicle was a Challenger SRT8 equipped with the aforementioned 6.4 HEMI V8, putting out 470hp and 470 lb-ft of torque through the rear wheels via a 5 speed automatic with a manual shift mode. The 6.4 is a revamped version of the 6.1 liter that debuted in the original 2008 SRT8 version with 45 more horses and with the addition of Chrysler's cylinder deactivation system in an effort to enhance fuel economy. The pre-2011 models had an interior directly transplanted from their 4 door brethren i.e. cheap, thin and plastic looking surfaces that were as dull to look at as they were atrocious to touch. Now under Fiat ownership, Chrysler has done a substantial redesign of the Challenger's interior, opting for high quality materials, a new three spoke steering wheel (a vast improvement over the previous truck-like version) and soft touch surfaces. The suspension also had a thorough revision, lowered with stiffer springs, dampers and a change in wheel camber to enhance stability and improve cornering. Despite all this, the Challenger is a heavy vehicle weighing north of 4100lbs and as such, doesn't change direction as eagerly as the smaller Mustang.


Upgraded Interior


Settling into the comfortable, leather clad driver seat, I felt at once enclosed and at one with the car. The cockpit is roomy but still had an enveloped feeling to it. The ground was still wet with the recent rain and the route (see previous Dodge Durango review) was not conducive to any sort of high speed hijinks or handling tests. Despite it's firmed up suspension, the SRT8 still had enough give to absorb the rough edges as we motored around the streets of Miami Beach. Turning onto a long straight, which was unusually devoid of traffic, my Dodge rep flicked the transmission into Sport, engaged first gear and uttered two of the loveliest words one can hear when driving this sort of car: "Floor it".

And I did.

20" wheels with Brembo brakes

What resulted was a melodious few seconds of V8 roar, the rear wheels instantly breaking traction and the rear end stepping out slightly but not to the extent that I couldn't catch it. Traction control quickly intervened, hooking up the rear tires and the Challenger simply bolted to the next traffic light with a speed and ferocity perfectly suited to this kind of car. The brakes, large dinner plate sized Brembos, were firm and powerful, bringing everything to a halt at the next traffic light. I looked in the rear view mirror to see both my father and nephew grinning wildly. The Dodge rep smiled and said, "That my friend is what this car is all about."

No doubt.

Short as it was, driving the Challenger SRT8 is an aural as well as visual treat. The HEMI constantly reminds of its presence but not to the point of annoyance and exterior look of car drew attention whichever way we turned. The SRT8 version isn't cheap by any means: with a base price of $43780 it hunts in the same class as the smaller and more powerful 550hp Mustang GT500 as well as the upcoming 580hp Chevy Camaro ZL1. However, if you just want the looks (and don't mind the smaller fuel bill...who doesn't want that?) a base Challenger with Chrysler's much improved 305hp 3.6 Pentastar V6 can be had for a base of $24895. If you just gotta have a V8, then the R/T version with the "base" 390hp 5.7 HEMI stickers for $29895.

Dodge has done an outstanding job with the Challenger, imbuing it with classic muscle car styling and the engine power (and sound) that will give any driver a taste of what it was like to live life a 1/4 mile at a time.

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

stock photo courtesy of www.egmcartech.com