Dodge believes they hit the Bull’s Eye with their all new compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart. They say it provides “the ultimate blend of power, fuel efficiency, fun-to-drive, interior roominess, style, and overall sophistication at a tremendous value.”
The compact car segment represents the largest segment of new car retail sales in the U.S. The Dart is important to Dodge because it represents Dodge’s re-entry into the US compact sedan segment and is a significant growth opportunity for them. To help them with the sales of this type of car, they may need to look to such helpful websites as Salesforce to get them to where they want to be.
The new Dart is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a car that’s praised for its agility and driving dynamics. The Giulietta platform was stretched by 12 inches and widened by 2 inches in order to meet the wants and needs of North American buyers. The Dart’s second row seats even provide more legroom than some mid-size sedans. Assembly will begin in the second quarter of 2012 at the Belvidere Assembly plant in Belvidere IL. It will be offered in five models: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T.
3 engines will be available:
1) Tigershark 2.0L 160 HP: Standard on the SE, SXT, Rallye, and Limited
2) Fiat 1.4L MultiAir Turbo 160 HP 184 LB-FT: Optional on the SXT, Rally and Limited
3) Tigershark 2.4L MultiAir 2 184HP: Standard on the R/T
MultiAir technology increases torque by 15% at low rpms and increases fuel economy by 7.5%. It does this by allowing direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion to optimize combustion at all engine speeds.
3 transmissions will be available:
1) 6-speed manual: Standard on all models
2) 6-speed Automatic: Available with the Tigershark 2.0L and Tigershark 2.4L MultiAir 2
3) 6-speed Dual Dry clutch DDCT: Available with 1.4L MultiAir Turbo
This is a groundbreaking car for Dodge, since it offers technology and many available features typically found in more expensive vehicle segments, as well as some unique features not found in any other cars within in its segment. Some of the most notable are:
· 8.4 inch multi media center with built in radio, available Garmin navigation, iPod control, climate controls, voice activated Bluetooth, Sirius XM Travel Link
· 7 inch customizable gauge cluster display
· Alpine premium audio system with 506 watts of power and 10 speakers including an 8 inch subwoofer
· Keyless Enter N Go with push button start
· HID Headlamps
· Dual zone automatic climate control
· Heated steering wheel
· In seat storage
· Rear back-up camera
· Rear Cross Path Detection
· Blind Spot Monitoring
Owners will be able to customize the Dart in over 100,000 different ways including the
following:
· 14 interior color and trim combinations
· 12 exterior colors
· 4 grilles
· 6 wheel choices
· Over 150 Mopar accessories
The entry level price of the Dart will be $15,995. It will undoubtedly help redefine many people’s perceptions of what an affordable compact car is. We believe that this car will be more than an appliance to get you from point A to point B, and it will inspire you to take the long way home. We just can’t wait to get our hands on one to give it a Real World Road Test.
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