Sunday 29 July 2012

2013 Dodge Dart Enticing New Car With A Classic Brand

By Tom Lutak


Chrysler has been making compact cars for quite a while. Its Dodge Dart from the 60s and the 70s was a classic in this class. The new 2013 Dodge Dart aspires to the same status. It has many attributes that will assist it in this quest.

The original Dodge Dart was made from 1960 through 1976. Originally full sized, by 1963 it had been downsized to a compact. It was a very popular and successful car throughout its era.

Chrysler is now part of the Fiat family. Using a Fiat base for the new Dart is thus a very smart move. They chose the Fiat Compact platform, a recent design which can work with four wheel drive or front wheel drive and a front mounted compact transverse engine. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta also uses this platform.

The prospective Dart buyer has many choices available. To begin with, the five models have manufacturer's suggested retail prices starting at $15, 995 and ranging up to $22,495. At the most basic level after the model, one can choose among four transmissions and three different engines.

Each engine has sixteen valves and four cylinders, but they are different otherwise. All of them produce about the same horsepower, probably because the smallest one has a turbo. This is currently a six speed automatic transmission for the larger engines, and a six speed dual clutch for the turbo. All can be had with a six speed manual transmission. Engineering of a nine speed model is ongoing.

The driver's display area can be reconfigured if the seven inch thin film transistor (TFT) cluster display is chosen. This can be easily switched to show speedometer, routing, efficiency, or other information as requested. The standard display uses vivid red needles and a custom font for easy, quick readability.

The audio and telephone systems are controlled with a large touchscreen and additional controls on the steering wheel. Audio can be played from an SD card, a USB port, or via Bluetooth. CDs, conventional radio, and Sirius XM Satellite radio are all available. Virtually hands free telephone calls are possible, as is Bluetooth and voice activation.

To reduce drag and road noise, underbody belly panels are available. When less engine cooling is needed, the active grille shutters will close, which also reduces drag. The Multiair provides a new level of control for engine air intake. This can both increase the power and the efficiency of the engine.

Many features for the improvement of safety are available. All models have ten airbags. Even more protection is provided by the reactive head restraint system. Improved control in an emergency comes from electronic stability control and roll mitigation. The driver can be alerted to surrounding hazards by the rear cross path detection system, blind-spot monitoring, and the Parkview rear backup camera.

For a tactile impression of luxury, select the protein vinyl surfacing. The interior lighting has a customized layout for enhanced appearance. Many are surprised by the level of comfort and appearance in this kind of car.

The 2013 Dodge Dart can be an excellent choice for someone whose automotive needs can be met by a compact car. The mileage is very good, which helps with the gas budget. It has a mixture of performance, safety, and efficiency features that are hard to beat.




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