The Dodge Dart is a transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-door compact sedan manufactured and marketed by FCA since its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
The Dart uses a modified variant of the Fiat Compact Platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, widened by 1.5 in (38 mm) and lengthened by 3.7 in (94 mm) to its wheelbase -- creating the Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) platform. The modified platform, adapted to U.S. requirements and subsequently redesignated the PF platform, was designed over approximately 18 months at a cost of US$1 billion.
Resurrecting a nameplate used by Dodge for model years 1960-1976 for a succession of full-size , mid-size and finally compact models, the Dart (PF) was the brand's first compact sedan since 2005, when the Neon was discontinued.
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History
A mini MPV concept car was designed and developed by Chrysler and revealed in 2006 as the Dodge Hornet. This was Dodge's first attempt at building a car this small and the car was expected to be released in 2010. The concept was dropped because of the 2009 financial crisis and the restructuring of the Chrysler Group. After Chrysler's merger with Fiat in late 2010, the small Dodge Hornet concept took on a new form to share a Fiat platform. In December 2011, the automaker announced the new small sedan would be called the Dodge Dart.
On March 4, 2014, at the Geneva Motor Show, Sergio Marchionne commented on possible production of a hatchback model for the North American market, saying "our North American consumers will be gradually offered alternatives for same or close to expense" and that potential buyers might account for either Fiat 500X, or Jeep Renegade.
Dodge Dart Sxt Review Video
Production
The Dart is manufactured at Chrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant, where the Dodge Caliber was manufactured (2006-2011), where the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot are manufactured -- and where the first generation Dodge Neon (1995-2005) and Dodge Neon SRT4 (2003-2005) were manufactured.
The Dart was scheduled for U.S. dealership sales beginning in late June 2012. The Aero model began production in the third quarter of 2012. The GT began production in the second quarter of 2013.
Features
The Dart has three transmission options, including a Powertech 6F24 automatic transmission from Hyundai, and will come with electrically boosted power steering that has a sensor and electric motor mounted to the rack itself. Interiors are customizable with 12 different color/fabric combinations and optional ambient lighting systems; leather seats are an available upgrade. The dashboard features a 7-inch (178 mm) color TFT display, a "floating island bezel" placed between traditional round gauges, which graphically shows trip computer and navigation system information; it is integrated to make it appear to be part of the gauge cluster itself, rather than a separate screen. Storage includes a glove box, center console with auxiliary electronics jacks, and console map pockets. Trunk volume is 13.1 cu ft (370 L).
In 2014, all Darts aside from the SE got standard U Connect Bluetooth telephone for 2014. A Blacktop Package, featuring black alloy wheels and black accents, for all models except SE and Limited, as well as a California Appearance Package for the SXT and Limited, both became available for 2014.
The Dart was the first compact sedan to feature a rear obstacle detection system and blind spot monitoring. A Dart version managing an unadjusted combined driving 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) (16.94 km/L) made it possible for Fiat to acquire an additional 5% share of Chrysler Group.
Suspension
The Dart uses a similar suspension system to that of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta: in front it has independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar and in the rear it has independent multilink suspension. According to Dart chief engineer the suspension is slightly softened compared with the Alfa, "We've taken a little edge off it," "It's a blast to toss around."
Safety and driving aids
The Dart is equipped with numerous safety features, such as: brake assist, brake-lock differential, rainy brake support, hydraulic boost compensation, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, trailer-sway control, rear backup camera and rear park assist. The Dart has 10 airbags standard; it also has a reactive head-restraint system for the front seats, and other available systems are blind-spot monitoring and rear cross path detection. The Giulietta, on which the Dart is based, has achieved the highest rating for a compact car in the EuroNCAP tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2013 Dart a five-star safety rating in the frontal offset barrier, rollover, and side impact crash tests. The Dart also earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012.
Engines
The Dart has three engine options: a Tigershark 16-valve 2-liter engine, a "Tigershark" 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine, and a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled turbo engine used also in Alfa Romeo Giulietta. That engine has been retuned for American use (changing the required grade of oil to one widely available in the U.S. and Canada, for example) in the Fiat 500 Abarth The 1.4T Dart also will have more torque than the Abarth. A 6-speed manual transmission is available with all engine options, a six-speed automatic is optional on the 2.0 L and 2.4 L engines and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission is available on the 1.4 L turbo unit. Marchionne has stated that a 9-speed automatic will not be available until sometime later. All Dart engines are built in Dundee, Michigan.
In 2014, the Dart SXT and Limited both got a 2.4L I4 engine with increased horsepower ratings, making the 2.0L Tigershark I4 engine only available in the base SE model. The 2.4L I4 engine was offered in late 2013 with the introduction of the Dart GT model. The Dart Aero model is the only model available with the 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged I4 engine.
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Engine and transmission configurations
Models
The Dodge Dart came in several different trim levels during its four-year production run, each model having its own distinct level of standard and optional equipment:
SE (2013-2016): The SE was the base Dodge Dart model between 2013 and 2016. It offered the following standard equipment: 160-horsepower 2.0L Tigershark Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, six-speed manual transmission, A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player with auxiliary and USB inputs, four-speaker audio system, heater (no air conditioning), power windows and door locks, cloth seating surfaces, dual manually-adjustable front bucket seats, split-folding rear bench seat, full instrumentation, fifteen-inch (15") black-painted steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, and black door handles and side mirrors. Additional options available for this model included a SE Popular Equipment Group that added equipment such as air conditioning, U Connect Bluetooth with streaming audio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system, keyless entry, and exterior color-keyed side mirrors. A six-speed automatic transmission was also available for this trim level. In mid-2016, the SE trim level of the Dodge Dart was discontinued.
SXT (2013-2016): The SXT was the "mid-level" trim level of the Dodge Dart between 2013 and 2016. It added the following equipment to the base SE trim level: sixteen-inch (16") aluminum-alloy wheels (2014 and newer models), U Connect Bluetooth with streaming audio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system (four-speaker audio system after mid-2016), air conditioning, keyless entry, and exterior color-keyed door handles and side mirrors. Additional options for this trim level included sixteen-inch (16") aluminum-alloy wheels (standard on 2014 and newer models), the U Connect 8.4 touch-screen infotainment system, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium amplified surround-sound audio system, remote start, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 160-horsepower 1.4L MultiAir Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, the Rallye Package, a seven-inch (7.0") TFT instrument cluster display, and a power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat. During the final few months of Dodge Dart production, this model was known as the SXT Sport, and with the discontinuation of the previously base-model SE trim level, became the base trim level of the Dodge Dart.
Limited (2013-2016): The Limited was the "up-level" Dodge Dart trim level between 2013 and 2016. It added the following equipment to the "mid-level" SXT trim level: seventeen-inch (17") aluminum-alloy wheels, the U Connect 8.4 infotainment system, a power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, Nappa luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces (2014 and later models), dual heated front seats, a seven-inch (7.0") TFT instrument cluster display, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 160-horsepower 1.4L MultiAir Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, a 184-horsepower 2.4L Tigershark Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine (standard on later models), seventeen-inch (17") polished aluminum-alloy wheels, GPS navigation, Keyless Enter-'n'-Go with push-button start, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium amplified surround-sound audio system, and Nappa luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces (optional on 2013 models only). In mid-2016, the Limited trim level of the Dodge Dart was discontinued.
Aero (2013-2016): The Aero trim level of the Dodge Dart, available from 2013 until 2016 and based on the "mid-level" SXT trim level, was focused on fuel economy, and added the following features to that model: U Connect 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment system and 160-horsepower 1.4L MultiAir Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine. Additional features on this trim level included aluminum-alloy wheels, a six-speed Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission, and remote start. The Aero trim level of the Dodge Dart achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 41 MPG Highway. In mid-2016, the Aero trim level of the Dodge Dart was discontinued.
GT (2013-2016): The GT was the top-of-the-line Dodge Dart trim level between 2013 and 2016. It added the following equipment to the Limited trim level: Nappa luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, Keyless Enter-'n'-Go with push-button start, eighteen-inch (18") Granite Crystal-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium amplified surround-sound audio system, and a 184-horsepower 2.4L Tigershark Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine. Additional options on this trim level included eighteen-inch (18") Hyper Black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, a six-speed automatic transmission, and remote start. During the final few months of Dodge Dart production, this model was known as the GT Sport.
SRT racing Dodge Dart
At the New York International Auto Show in 2012, a Dodge Dart turbo four-wheel drive rally car was shown, after the earlier release of a rendering. The blue-and-white SRT-badged car will enter Global RallyCross Championship racing competitions, driven by professional rally car drivers including four-time Rally America Champion Travis Pastrana.
It is a race car for the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship. Based on 2013 Dodge Dart, it included a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve turbo-charged engine rated 600 hp (447 kW) and over 550 lb·ft (746 N·m) of torque, Sadev 4-wheel drive transmission.
On May 6, 2014, the Dart SRT was confirmed by the FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group. Originally based on the 5-year plan it looked like the unveiling of the Dart SRT was set for December 2016, but due to Fiat Chrysler's decision to end production on the Dart, the SRT trim will not go forward as planned.
Fiat models
The Fiat Viaggio ("journey", "voyage" in English), also called f?i xíang (??), is a sedan version of the Dodge Dart for the Chinese market, designed by the Fiat Group Style Centre in Turin, Italy. It offers a choice of 1.4-litre T-Jet engine producing 120 PS (88 kW) or 150 PS (110 kW), with 5-speed manual or 6-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (C635-DDCT).
The Viaggio was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Auto Show, and went on sale in Q3 2012, with delivery by the end of 2012.
The Fiat Ottimo is a 5-door hatchback version of the Viaggio for the Chinese market. It was introduced at 2013 Guangzhou Auto Show and was designed by Roberto Giolito. The Ottimo offers a same 1.4-litre T-Jet engine of the Viaggio with 5-speed manual transmission or a new 7-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (C725-DDCT).
Engines
Transmissions
Marketing
In July 2012, the first television ad for the Dodge Dart aired during the broadcast of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, featuring the bassline from Kanye West's "No Church in the Wild", a spoof on the Reliant Robin and a cameo by NFL's Tom Brady. In May 2013, the Dodge Dart was marketed as a tie-in to promote the film Fast & Furious 6, despite not appearing on the film. The car appears in Fast & Furious 6 : The Game.
Recognition
The 2013 Dodge Dart Aero was among the five finalists for the 2013 Green Car of the Year awarded by Green Car Journal at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Discontinuation
On January 27, 2016, Fiat Chrysler announced that it would end production of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 to redirect its focus towards crossover vehicles. A plan to move production from its Belvidere Assembly Plant to Mexico was in the works but later scrapped.
The Dart ended production on September 2, 2016, with a revived Dodge Neon based on the Fiat Tipo replacing it in the Mexican market. The Jeep Cherokee, which is mechanically similar to the Dart, will move to Belvedere Assembly to enable increased Jeep Wrangler production at the Toledo Complex.
In an interview with Autoblog, FCA President Sergio Marchionne said: "I can tell you right now that both the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart, as great products as they were, were the least financially rewarding enterprises that we've carried out inside FCA in the last eight years," adding "I don't know one investment that was as bad as these two were."
Sales
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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