Dodge Can't Think Up New Names: The 2013 Dart

Charger, Challenger, Aspen, and now Dart.  It's simple:  Chrysler has fired the person in charge of coming up with new names for their products.  Dodge released some CGI renderings today of the 2013 Dart, which will replace the awful Caliber.  Those who've been around a lot longer than me will remember the Dart as Dodge's low-end offering that ran in various forms from 1960-1976.  Hey, if you're going to resurrect a name, I'm glad it's not Volare.

Unlike the original Dart, there will be no three-on-the-tree and indestructible Mopar straight-six.  The Dart is based on the platform of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, enlarged for US tastes.  It's both wider and has a longer wheelbase, and the platform is referred to as the CUSW (Compact US Wide) chassis - presumably because Fiatsler assumes all Americans have wide posteriors.  (We do.)

Like the Alfa on which it's based, the Dart will have a transverse front-drive powertrain, with independent suspension at all four corners.  Dodge says 68% of the Dart's structure will be high-strength steel, which helps to lower overall weight and create a more rigid, better-handling chassis.  Hopefully it's center of gravity won't be nine feet above the road like the Caliber, for better handling.

In fact, from the CGI renderings it looks like they're abandoning the Caliber's whole pseudo-SUV shape, which has never really been what compact buyers in the US wanted in the first place.  The look is somewhat baby-Charger, because Dodge knows what sells - and they sell a lot of the bold, in-your-face Chargers.  Where most cars in the compact segment have swoopy, streamlined Euro shapes, the Dart is a bit more... angry looking.  And surely some people want that.  Compared to an Elantra or Focus, it's a lot more eye-catching from the details visible, with the canted headlights that melt into the crosshair grille, "circle track" taillights like the new Charger, dual exhausts, lip spoiler, etc.

Of course, if it's as terrible to drive and inefficient as the Caliber (can you tell I don't like the Caliber?) was, what's the point?  Thankfully, Fiat is pretty good at making efficient FWD powertrains.  The Dart will come with three engine choices.  There's a 2.0L 16v "Tigershark" four, the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo I4 (shared with the 500 Abarth), and a 2.4L 16v "Tigershark" MultiAir I4, likely as the top offering.  MultiAir is FIAT's camless intake valve actuation system, that's seriously cool stuff - you can read about it here.  Dodge hasn't released any power or efficiency numbers for the Dart's engines, or information about transmission offerings yet.

The Dart will debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show on January 9th.  The new compact will be built at Dodge's plant in Belvedere, Illinois.  Stay tuned for more details on the first Mopar compact you'll actually want since the 2005 Neon SRT-4!