RETURN OF THE DODGE DART
New car to have Alfa Romeo DNA

Chrysler confirms that it’s bringing back one of the most sentimental name plates from the 1960s: The Dodge Dart. Remember the cool 1968 GTS 340 that George Barris customized for the Mannix TV show? Chrysler says it has an extra surprise: The Dart will be based on the new version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Right now, the only Alfa you can buy in the USA is the 8C Competizione, which will set you back around a quarter of a million dollars. With the new Dart, you’ll also be getting an Italian Alfa for an affordable price. The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart will make its world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, on January 9, 2012. The new car will be a four-door sedan, Chrysler says will deliver class-leading aerodynamics. Chrysler will be leveraging the Dodge brand with its nearly 100-year history, together with its partner Fiat’s global compact car expertise.

ALFA ROMEO DNA The new Dart will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture – adapted from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is renowned as a sporty Italian job with exceptional driving dynamics. The Dart starts with this platform, and offers a bit more length and width to make it more suitable for Americans.

Chrysler says the Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) architecture for the Dart will have an industry-leading 68 percent of the body composed of high-strength steel, resulting in a strong and rigid structure. Combined with responsive steering, four-wheel independent suspension, and available 18-inch wheels, Chrysler promises that the new Dart will bring back fun into the compact car segment. The new Dart will carry the signature Dodge split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps and fog lamps. The Dodge full-width LED ‘racetrack’ tail lamps and dual exhaust mirror the design of the new Dodge Charger. In the powerplant category, the 2013 Dodge Dart will offer three different four-cylinder engines. Drivers can select from a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir four cylinder engine. MultiAir technology delivers optimum combustion at any speed under all driving conditions by allowing direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion. The result is up to a 15 percent increase in low engine rpm torque, a 7.5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 10 percent reduction in C02 emissions, according to Chrysler.

MADE IN USA The company says the new Dodge Dart will be made in America at Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Chrysler says it’s 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,” says Chrysler representative Kathy Graham. “Work on the expansion began in the summer of 2010 and will be completed this year.” LA Car readers can follow www.dodge.com/dart for additional photos and more information about the new Dodge Dart.