Dodge Dart: DEAD?

  • Thread starter CodeRedR51
  • 624 comments
  • 68,257 views
I wouldnt call a Jeep G. Cherokee Overland Summit, Chrysler 300S/Lux Series,
Durango, Town & Country, Chargers, or even a Avenger RT interiors Boring... Thier "Simple" and "Clutter Free".... the way American Cars were once known for.. Especially in the Luxury Cars... The only car Chrysler has that interior is lacking is the Challenger.

Cant wait to see the 14 Interior Trim/Color Combinations the dart will have
 
The base engine is the 2.0-liter "Tigershark" four-cylinder, which uses port fuel-injection and independent variable valve timing to produce a reasonable 160 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This engine will be available with the standard six-speed manual and Powertech six-speed automatic. This engine will be available on the SE, SXT, Rallye, and Limited trims.

Next (sort of) is the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, which is a version of Fiat's turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine that puts out 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This will be available with the manual transmission and the special dual-clutch six-speed automatic.

Finally, for R/T models there will be the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with MultiAir 2. This new engine is the largest and produces the most power at 184 horsepower, though the torque lags behind the 1.4-liter engine at 171 lb-ft of torque. As the name suggest, it features Fiat's MultiAir system.
Click to expand...
http://jalopnik.com/5874207/2013-dodge-dart-better-than-snooki
 
Is it just me or is the 2.4 operating far, far below its potential? And entire extra liter of displacement, with the same or possibly better technology, yet it only produces an extra 24 horsepower over the 1.4 and is down by 13 lb-ft of torque. What gives?
 
White & Nerdy
Is it just me or is the 2.4 operating far, far below its potential? And entire extra liter of displacement, with the same or possibly better technology, yet it only produces an extra 24 horsepower over the 1.4 and is down by 13 lb-ft of torque. What gives?
Click to expand...

Potentially leaving a space further up the range for something more extreme. Caliber R/T had about 260bhp, didn't it?

And anyway, since when has hp/liter mattered for someone who apparently wants all cars to be V8s? :odd:
 
homeforsummer
Potentially leaving a space further up the range for something more extreme. Caliber R/T had about 260bhp, didn't it?

And anyway, since when has hp/liter mattered for someone who apparently wants all cars to be V8s? :odd:
Click to expand...

That's exactly my point. Despite having all the technology people love brag about, its specific output is way down, as if it's been deliberately detuned for some reason.
 
White & Nerdy
Is it just me or is the 2.4 operating far, far below its potential?
Click to expand...
White & Nerdy
That's exactly my point. Despite having all the technology people love brag about, its specific output is way down, as if it's been deliberately detuned for some reason.
Click to expand...

Produces more power than any other normally aspirated 2.4/2.5 I can think of on the market besides the one in the Civic Si/Acura TSX. GM 2.4 has 170HP. Toyota 2.4 has 178. Ford/Mazda 2.5 has 175. Nissan 2.5 has 175. VW 2.5 has 175. Kia 2.4 has 173.
 
Last edited:
White & Nerdy
That's exactly my point. Despite having all the technology people love brag about, its specific output is way down, as if it's been deliberately detuned for some reason.
Click to expand...

The technology is there to ensure it gets good economy as well as performing well. It's likely to be significantly more economical and cleaner than the Caliber with the same engine, while performing better. Then, as already hinted at, Chrysler still has the option to chuck on a turbocharger for a high performance version.
 
White & Nerdy
Is it just me or is the 2.4 operating far, far below its potential? And entire extra liter of displacement, with the same or possibly better technology, yet it only produces an extra 24 horsepower over the 1.4 and is down by 13 lb-ft of torque. What gives?
Click to expand...

I'm guessing turbo is the keyword.
 
I like it. Reminds me of the Neon (which is essentially what is is). I wonder if the SRT4 version will be as fast as the original SRT4.
 
Toronado
Produces more power than any other normally aspirated 2.4/2.5 I can think of on the market besides the one in the Civic Si/Acura TSX. GM 2.4 has 170HP. Toyota 2.4 has 178. Ford/Mazda 2.5 has 175. Nissan 2.5 has 175. VW 2.5 has 175. Kia 2.4 has 173.
Click to expand...

The new GM 2.5L I4 apparently produces 200 BHP. That'll be the base engine option in the Cadillac ATS, and the same unit will be going in the new Malibu as well. I believe that puts it on par with Honda's K24.

My hope is that they eventually offer it in the Cruze, alongside the 1.4T. But, we need to get the diesel shoved in there first.
 
SuperShouden
I like it. Reminds me of the Neon (which is essentially what is is). I wonder if the SRT4 version will be as fast as the original SRT4.
Click to expand...

The only thing remotely Neon about it is that it's a spiritual successor.
 
Joey D
The only thing remotely Neon about it is that it's a spiritual successor.
Click to expand...

I dunno, proportions aren't dissimilar. Cab-forward, nose-down. More like the facelifted Neon than the one you've recently bought, though.
 
Anyone with the ability of cognitive thought should want to have a Dart over a Caliber. So, no, it isn't just you.
 
fiat photoshop! :sly:

muy13n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Honestly, I do see a lot of Neon in the profile and stance of the Dart. It isn't "essentially a Neon," but it seems clear to me that most of the inspiration came from it.
 
Toronado
Honestly, I do see a lot of Neon in the profile and stance of the Dart. It isn't "essentially a Neon," but it seems clear to me that most of the inspiration came from it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Proportionally the side view is very similar, even if the details are different.
 
Toronado
Honestly, I do see a lot of Neon in the profile and stance of the Dart. It isn't "essentially a Neon," but it seems clear to me that most of the inspiration came from it.
Click to expand...

This.

Looks more like an evolution of the Neon than an entirely new car.

@ Vandenal: Technically the "Dodge SRT-4" was never sold with the word Neon located on the widow sticker, or any Neon badging. It was it's own car.
 
Toronado
Honestly, I do see a lot of Neon in the profile and stance of the Dart. It isn't "essentially a Neon," but it seems clear to me that most of the inspiration came from it.
Click to expand...

It reminds me more of the OG Neon than the one that is most-recently departed.

800px-1st-Dodge-Neon.jpg


Its more of the angle at the front, I think. Its interesting how it can evoke the look of a previous car while looking almost nothing alike. A strong design choice, for Dodge, I think.
 
R1600Turbo
@ Vandenal: Technically the "Dodge SRT-4" was never sold with the word Neon located on the widow sticker, or any Neon badging. It was it's own car.
Click to expand...

Yeah, yeah I know. Looking at it more and more it looks a bit like a Neon, but not that close at the same time :odd:.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing and sitting in the new Dart when the autoshow rolls into town next month. Having been inside both a Neon and a Caliber (never again) at varying points it will be interesting to see if the inside looks and feels as good as the outside. I hope it's a few steps up - I want Dodge to succeed with this new small car.
 
I think they deserve to succeed with it, it's clearly a solid effort.

I was always a bit disappointed with the Caliber. Much of me wants to like it, because I quite like the way it looks, and it's clearly a car with potential... it was just executed very poorly indeed. Quality was pretty dubious and by most accounts I've read it didn't really handle either.
 
homeforsummer
I was always a bit disappointed with the Caliber. Much of me wants to like it, because I quite like the way it looks, and it's clearly a car with potential... it was just executed very poorly indeed. Quality was pretty dubious and by most accounts I've read it didn't really handle either.
Click to expand...

That's a very generous way of putting it, I think.
 

Latest Posts

Back