Dodge News: Meet the 2013 Dodge Dart (UPDATED!)

[Blake Noble]

Perhaps one of the more anticipated production-related debuts this auto show seaon is none other than Chrysler's new Dodge Caliber replacement, the Dart. The media embargo on the Dodge compact sedan broke this morning and a slew of different images of the car have been surfacing on the internet throughout the day today through various websites. There's even a

.

The new Dart definitely brings a lot to the table for a car of its class. Chrysler will offer a new, optional nine-speed automatic as well as three different engine options, ranging from a 2.0L 16-valve four-cylinder, a MultiAir 2.4L four-cylinder, and a 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2.0L and 2.4L are both part of Chrysler's new Tigershark family of small displacement engines. Additionally, the new Dart is also good for an average of 40 mpg (unadjusted).

There's also no denying it's quite a looker as well, with many design elements such as the rear taillight panel being borrowed from it's big brother, the Charger. The design translates very well no matter which trim level you choose (the white car shown alongside the red R/T model is in Limited trim).

More photos will be uploaded here soon, so stay tuned. More details are sure to come at the Detroit Auto Show, which officially kicks off tomorrow.

UPDATE: Full gallery here:

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[Justin Bimmer]

The white car looks different than the red car.

[pow]

Looks decent. I hope they make a hatch version (with those same tail lights!) because sedans based off hatches tend to look a little awkward. This is no exception.

[G. David Felt]

I like what I see so far, I wonder if they will have an AWD version like the Caliber had in RT trim or and SRT version?

[ocnblu]

Pretty little car. I imagine these powertrains will translate to the Jeep Patriot replacement, as well.

[MyerShift]

This is looking great! Sorry I have been away so long guys!

[ocnblu]

Hello Mr. Shift.

[smk4565]

I don't like how the hood seems to slope downward so much or the blacked out front bumper in the grille, I think they could have made that cross bar thing more prominent like it is on the Charger. But I like the rest of the exterior.

On the inside, overall I like it, I like the creativity on the storage areas under the front seat or in the glove compartment. My one gripe is so many cars now have an integrated console, with HVAC and radio/sat-nav controls all in one, this has that cheap rubber separator that reminds me of a 90s GM car.

I prefer a Focus or Elantra to this, but the Dart in pictures looks far better than any of the Japanese compacts or the Jetta.

[regfootball]

Very surpsrised, this looks very nice.

Dimensionally its almost a dead ringer for the Kizashi I look at every day. The Dart is what i would call small mid size. Trunk is a bit small at 13 cf but this could end up being the largest 'compact' out there.

Every reason to be very optimistic for Dodge.

[regfootball]

as long as you can keep it out of the shop......

[regfootball]

and why is it so heavy?

[regfootball]

front seats look yummy but Dodge steering wheel looks way out of place......side profile looks like current sentra with a few old Neon overtones and a tiny hint of Elantra mixed in.....

[Blake Noble]

Wow, way to be wishy-washy reg.

Anyway, the gallery of some 40 or so odd images will be up shortly. Sorry for taking so long on it, guys, it's been a busy day.

EDIT: There are 49 images in total.

Edited January 8, 2012 by black-knight

[Robert Hall]

Well, Reg, unlike the Kizashi, it will probably actually sell..

[Blake Noble]

This is looking great! Sorry I have been away so long guys!

Shift, sir, it's good to see you again and I hope you stick around. There's never been a better time to return to the site (seriously).

[daves87rs]

Not sure about this. Looks a bit out of wack to me. Need to see it in person...

[Intrepidation]

I think it looks fantastic inside and out. Great proportions, really nice interpretation of the Charger's rear end, very distinctive and aggressive front end. I will say that I prefer the blacked out R/T fascia, looks more distinctive and aggressive. Love the red paint they used. Interior looks really nice as well. Red R/T is the one for me.

Looks like lots of attention to detail, from the seat design (lateral bolster!) to the stitched dash to the dual exhaust to Dodge lettering in the turn signal part of the lens.

If it drives as well as it looks its going to be a winner.

As an aside, I really like the photographers Chrysler is using lately.

[Drew Dowdell]

I like it so far, I'll tell you what I think when I see it in person tomorrow.

[regfootball]

3200 pounds = heavier than the Cruze isn't it?

[PurdueGuy]

Vast styling improvement over the Caliber, but I'm not really in love with it. I'm also not quite feeling the name with the car. Still, should be a pretty good product for Dodge.

[pow]

and why is it so heavy?

[frogger]

I prefer the Alfa 5 door exterior but this is not bad and the interior is nice.

[2QuickZ's]

My one gripe is so many cars now have an integrated console, with HVAC and radio/sat-nav controls all in one, this has that cheap rubber separator that reminds me of a 90s GM car.

I'm not exactly sure what you are seeing here. The pictures seem to pretty clearly show the piece between the console and instrument panel is the same material as the console. The thing under the HVAC controls is an open storage bin an another picture shows the pockets on the sides at the front of the console are also storage bins.

[rkmdogs]

Two questions ---\Where's the hatchback?, if this is a replacement for the Caliber.

and, looking at the interior, who picks up a drink cup from the holder with their elbow?

The holders are too far back to be useful!

[intrigued]

I like the dart quite a bit. I think the drive trains in particular are cool and likely will be a strength. The styling is among the best of the segment, expressive while keeping the family design cues and most importantly refined. I also think that this could help Doge since the Avenger is a mediocre care at best and this could fill a pretty unique size slot. One of the Alero's most appeal aspects back in the day was that it rode the line right between compact and midsize. Indeed I think it was classified as a compact by volume (barley) but was most often compared against midsized cars. If this is a better executed (in terms of refinement) version of that formula, especially with the rising prices of the D-class segment this could be a break away hit steeling more sales for the midsized segment then the compact class.

[ocnblu]

I really hate to say this because it is nothing less than a sea change of improvement... but the Dart, to me, suddenly, after seeing the rest of the debuts... looks a bit dated. Am I the only one?

[Intrepidation]

[Robert Hall]

Chrysler mooted the idea of a 100, didn't they? Would be interesting to see some of the 200/300 design language on a Dart sibling, as a Verano competitor..

Edited January 10, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ocnblu]

I checked Dodge's website for the Dart today, was able to view it in the full glory of its wide colour palette, and I have to say, maybe "dated" was not the right word to use to describe this design. Maybe my problem is since I know it's an Alfa underneath its skin, that maybe the skin doesn't fit the bones quite right?

I really like so much about it though, the colour and customization possibilities alone put the Focus and Cruze to shame, and it is absolutely PACKED with modern tech features. If it drives well and stays together through thick and thin, it has to be a hit. Good job, Dodge. NO BEIGE available! Yay!

Edited January 12, 2012 by ocnblu

[regfootball]

i think the Dart and Verano are darn close to identical in terms of dimensions.

[SAmadei]

Top Gear has a quick article where the Brits test a old Dart (teechnically a '70 Swinger), and while they call it 'rubbish', they'd prefer to own the old one, for its cool factor. I'd love to see video of Clarkson testing an old Dart and a new one.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/Driven-the-original-Dodge-Dart-2012-1-11

[Cory Wolfe]

I quite like this car. Just wish I could have made it to the show this year.