Tag Archives: Dart

April 12, 2012

Could this be a Turbocharged 2014 Jeep Liberty prototype?

By M Lemmon

This is clearly not the final sheet metal for the 2014 Jeep Liberty however what this proto type is porting is the new engine/power train configuration. This Jeep in Alfa Romeo Giulietta clothing actually looks like a Dakar shaped race truck however don’t let the ride height and exhaust placement fool you. This prototype is testing engine and transmission configuration in addition to on road testing of the newest “Quadra drive” AWD system.

2014 Jeep Liberty -Spied Front 3/4

We had previously read reviews that the Jeep Liberty would be one of the first Chrysler vehicles to receive their currently in development 3.2-liter Pentastar V6. However this rolling mule has every indication that it’s sporting a turbocharged power plant. The fuel filler cap has a prominent sticker warning that premium gasoline must be used, while frontal photos appear to show a large intercooler.

Could this mean that the new Liberty will also use the Fiat 500 Arbath sourced 1.6-liter turbo I-4 that outputs 160 hp and can be found in the upcoming Dodge Dart? Or could either of the 2.0 or 2.4 liter tigershark engines also being used in the 2013 Dart be receiving a turbo upgrade? Time will tell but we would love to drive a Dodge Dart SRT model that uses a 2.4 turbo engine dialed up to close to 300 hp.  Wouldn’t you?

2014 Jeep Liberty - Spied from the Rear 3/4

We are expecting Jeep to offer this new Liberty as a Front or All-wheel drive model and we are expecting it to also use the also in development 9-speed ZF automatic transmission. Could there be a manual transmission offered on the smaller displacement turbo engine? We would suggest that if it is sold in Europe then yes such a vehicle will be built.

One fact that we can confirm is that the 2014 Liberty will be built on Fiat’s new Compact U.S Wide Platform or CUSW for short.  The CUSW will make its North American debut in the 2013 Dodge Dart this summer and is a variant of the European Alfa Romeo Giulietta Chassis, which explains why this Liberty test mule is wearing a crude Alfa Giulietta body. Will that make the Next Liberty model a soft roader? We think not but stay tuned for more future information.

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February 2, 2012

An Italian car plays hockey – What would Don Cherry think?

By M Lemmon

Now this is a Car Video for Canada!  We’re not sure how it helps promote their new DNA bad weather mode as the Giulietta is seen spinning its wheels and hand brake sliding all over the ice.  For those who are not familiar with the DNA electronic stability control system think of it as an electronic nanny ESP that increases its level of protection/interference for slippery driving conditions.

We are anticipating a similar system to be incorporated into the 2012 Dodge Dart however there has been no official word if it will be referred to as DNA.  You will have to now excuse us as we are currently frantically trying to find the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in our fantasy hockey league, as I know I could use a player who is good for 2 goals on 2 shots.

Don Cherry on the other hand thinks that the European born Giulietta doesn’t have the heart to make it here in North America as there is no video evidence that it will go hard into the corners.  On the flip side he loves the Dodge Dart because it looks like it’s not afraid to drop the gloves and appears to have broken its nose a couple times in the past.

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January 9, 2012

2013 Dodge Dart – Good from a far but, far from Good?

By M Lemmon

We are still going to reserve our final judgment on the 2013 Dodge Dart until it is officially launched this morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  We had previously released the teaser images of the car that dodge had released before the holiday break and we were impressed.  On the exterior we loved the look of the headlights and Alfa Romeo Giulietta inspired aggressive hood lines.  On the inside of the car were intrigued with the looks of the level of high quality materials being used in combination with the re-designed instrument cluster and center stack controls.

2013 Dodge Dart - Offcial HD press image

However now that the first of the “b roll” footage has been released over the weekend we are wondering if we have fallen in love with the parts bin and poster images as the car in its entirety hasn’t wowed us as much as were expecting.  Don’t get us wrong the car is not Veloster ugly but those rear tail lights put us off and as a total package the car is just missing something that we haven’t been able to put our fingers on yet.

While the official specs for the Dart won’t be release until the cars official launch video can confirm that Dart is in the same size range as the Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra.  Fuel efficiency has been one of the key design factors as Fiat need to produce a 40 mpg car to acquire another 5% of Chrysler, so the employees a new 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox with rumors of a 9-speed in the works.  They also use more light weight high strength steel then most other cars in the sub-compact class which also should increase the cars stiffness resulting in better ride and handling as well as helping to reduce unwanted noise and vibrations.

The All New 2013 Dodge Dart

On paper the unadjusted fuel consumption numbers are 40 mpg on the combined cycle, however the real world adjusted fuel economy figures will not be that good.  City numbers are dropped by 10 percent, while highway numbers get a 22-percent reduction. Some rough estimating says that the Dart will probably be rated at about 34-mpg combined once the final adjustments are made. Still a good score, for sure, but far from 40.  This little white lie has also upped Fiats stake in the Chrysler group to 58.5% and they are still trying to purchase the more of the 41.5% that is owned by the UAW.

The All New 2013 Dodge Dart

All in all the new 2013 Dodge Dart is taking the approach of building a quality car and then loading it full of high tech features.  Our only concern is that they are bringing too many different model variant to the market that may increase the cost of building the car.  The 2013 Dart will be available by the mid to end of summer and will be offered in 12 exterior, 14 interior colour and trim combinations, 6 wheel designs, 3 engine choices and with 3 transmission options with a possible 4th nearing the end of development.

Could they be offering their customers too much choice?  Time will tell but we are wishing them good luck!

Rest-In-Peace Caliber! Please fade off into the sunset knowing that you have been replaced by what looks to be a far superior car.  Make sure to check out the video below.

2013 Dodge Dart - Shown in two of its fourteen different extrior colours

To read our first impressions of the 2013 Dodge Darts exterior view the links here: Dodge Hornet Loses its Stripes and becomes the 2013 Dodge Dart and here   The Dodge Hornet is Spied – Born out of the Calibers Ashes 

To read about our first impressions about the cars interior view the article here: Dodge Releases Interior Images of the 2013 Dart and they Hit the Mark

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December 14, 2011

Dodge Releases Interior Images of the 2013 Dart and they Hit the Mark

By M Lemmon

Last week we posted the teaser images of the new 2013 Dodge Dart that will be on display next month at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.   We loved the new look of the car aggressive exterior and are looking forward to seeing if Dodge can deliver on their promise of a more Euro tuned ride and handling.  Which we hope is possible since the Dart is based off of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform.

2013 Dodge Dart - Front Design

Dodge is looking to make a statement with the interior of their new Dart, boasting in the press release that that it will feature materials and precision craftsmanship normally found in more expensive models.  Which is positive to hear them say as it appears that Dodge understands where they currently sits in the compact car segment as they will be facing an uphill battle against such established brands as Civic, Corolla and focus.  Not to mention the strong new comers of the Cruze and Elantra have proved themselves to rightfully deserve to be fighting for the top spot in the segment.

2013 Dodge Dart - Dashboard

To help the Dart standout Dodge has taken a page out of Hyundai and Kia’s books by offering exclusive upscale amenities such as heated steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster and Mustang like myriad of interior colour combinations.  The Dart’s interior will feature plenty of personalization options with 14 interior colour and trim combinations while the 7-inch TFT customizable gauge cluster display takes center stage in a class-exclusive floating island bezel.  It also boasts the largest touchscreen of 8 an half inches and can come equipped with Dodges UConnect hands free system.   Oh and did we mention that the glove box can fit your iPad so it can be connected to that car and used as a multi media device.

2013 Dodge Dart - 8.4 inch touchscreen

Dodge is also touting its safety features as well, and rightfully so as most are class leading or equal to other cars in this segment.  Standard features will include 10 airbags, while the Dart will also be available with the Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection systems.

2013 Dodge Dart - Door Panel

It is clear that Dodge is looking to parlay the Darts exotic European roots to its advantage by also distinguishing the Dart as being an upscale compact car and they may actually pull it off.  It will depend on which luxury features will be offered on the various trim levels and there price points.

If you are interested in learning more about the exterior styling cues as well as the engine and transmission choices that are going to be offered on the 2013 Dodge Dart check out our first impressions article.

2013 Dodge Dart - Gauge Cluster

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December 8, 2011

Dodge Hornet Loses its Stripes and becomes the 2013 Dodge Dart

By M Lemmon

The Chrysler group has decided to follow its adage of everything old is new again as they re-brand their newest compact car as the Dodge Dart.  Dodge is still riding the high of the successful re-launching of the Charger and Challenger name plates, which like the Dart name plate was used in the 60’s and 70’s during Dodges muscle car hay day.

2013 Dodge Dart - Front Design

The name of car is not the only recycled item found on the Dart as the new car is based off of the European-markets Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback.  The Dart should not be consider a re-branded twin of the Giulietta as Chrysler engineers have widened and lengthened the cars shared platform to better suit the North American market.  Fortunately the Giulietta’s independent four-wheel suspension and responsive steering rack have been maintained in the Dart giving it that sporty European ride and handling.  This will be a welcome addition when compared to the outgoing Caliper’s soft (fat cat) North American set up which made the feel like it was going to tip onto its side if you took a highway on-ramp too quickly.

The other features that will carry over from the Alfa Giulietta to the Dodge Dart can be found under the hood.  As the 2013 Dart will be powered by 3 different engines that includes the turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder Multiair engine found in the Fiat 500 Abarth.  It will also employee chrsylers 2.0-liter inline-four engine, as well as an all new 2.4-liter inline-four.  No facts of figures have been released for the trio so we are not sure if there will be any change in their output however we would love to take the Fiat 500 Abarth’s 1.4 out to put its 160 hp and 170 lb-ft torque to the test.  We could also see the Fiat 500’s naturally aspirated 1.4-liter Multiair inline 4 being used as a high mile eco car and wonder if Fiat’s twin cylinder turbo with its 85 hp will make it over to our side of the Atlantic.

There will also be three check boxes on the Darts order form in the transmission category as a pair of European sourced 6 speed transmissions will be available, one being a Manual and the other being an Automatic.  The dart will also be the first of the Chrysler group’s vehicles to offer their newly developed dual-clutch automated 6-speed manual gear box.  We have also read some rumors that for the cars release in 2013 a new 9-speed transmission built by the ZF Group will be available.  ZF has gone on record to say that the 9-speed transmission will increase the Dart’s fuel efficiency by an additional 10 to 16 percent over the current 6-speed options.

In the styling department the 2013 Dodge Dart is drawing heavily on its retro styled big brother the charger an features a full-width bank of LED taillights as well as dual exhaust tips out back.  Up front that car will feature the recently restyled dodge crosshairs grille which was introduced last year on the entire brand line up.  The headlights draw inspiration from the European Giulietta and we love little attention to details like the word dodge carved into the reflector covers similar to that found on the Ford Fiesta and Focus.  We haven’t seen and images of the interior however we have been promised by dodge that the “Plastic Fantastic, Tupperware” styling of the past has been ditched and only rich textures and high quality plastics will surround the driver and their occupants.

2013 Dodge Dart - Rear Design

Described as a “Groundbreaking Car with the Ultimate Blend of Power, Fuel Economy, Handling and Style” the Dodge Dart is a compact sedan which will premiere at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) in January and will go into production shortly after, with car arriving by the end of the summer of 2012.

So far it appears that Dodge is on-track with the new 2013 Dart however the true test will be to see how well it stacks up in the ultra competitive compact car segment.  As it will be asked to compete against such segment heavy weights as the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford focus, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic to name a few.

2013 Dodge Dart - Headlight and Grille

Stay tuned to Car Rolodex for more Dodge Dart updates we edge closer to its official reveal next month at the Detroit Auto Show or the North American International Auto Show as they like to call it now.

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September 26, 2011

The Dodge Hornet is Spied – Born out of the Calibers Ashes

By M Lemmon

It was just two weeks ago when Chrysler announced that the Dodge Caliber was going out of production.  What they didn’t mention was that they were in the final development and testing stages of the car that will be replacing it.  The rumor is that the name plate Hornet will be used and the car will be heavily influenced by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Dodge Hornet - Front 3/4 Spy Shot

The Giulietta is currently experiencing slow then expected sales lately and the Fiat group will be looking to step up the release date of the Dodge Hornet built from the Fiat parts bin to keep production lines running.  The spy shots were of a 4 door model with hopes that much like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta there will be a 3 door and a 5 door version in the works.

We would assume that the car will be powered by a MultiAir type engine most likely the 1.4-liter with the 1.8-liter being  offered in the more performance orientated model.  The Fiat 500′s 1.4-liter would be the fuel sipper model and is estimated at being able to achieve the magic 40 mpg number.  Whereas the 1.8-liter in Europe is dialed up to output 230 hp and would be ideal for an SRT model.  We will have to wait until the car is officially announced to confirm which displacement engines will be offered as well as if a diesel version will be North America bound.

Dodge Hornet - Engine Bay Close-up Spy Shot

From what we can see from the two spy shots the car is looking good and will be a welcome relieve to the SUV slab-sided Caliber.  This new car will be a very important one for Chrysler as they look to compete with Chevrolet, Ford, and Hyundai in the compact car class.

 

To read about the renaming of the Hornet to dart as well as its official press launch images click here: Dodge Hornet Loses its Stripes and becomes the 2013 Dodge Dart

 

To view images of the new Dodge darts Interior click the link here: Dodge Releases Interior Images of the 2013 Dart and they Hit the Mark

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