'13 Mopar Dodge Dart Released Before Chicago Debut

[Mile30]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

So,it's their version of the Shelby Focus;more of a money grab than actual substance.

Not exactly...
I've been taking training course after training course on these... the best is yet to come; and when it gets here, I'm going to need to be restrained so I don't trade my project-Focus in!

The "Tigershark" engine will be a completely revamped 2.4l (built-up internally for boost), it should include a Brembo big brake upgrade, new mapping, and that new MultiAir intake setup will be utilized to deliver more power than efficiency. The big rumor (heard from Chrysler instructors at the corporate training center) is that an AWD setup has made it past the "conversation phase". Whether or not Chrysler learned from the EVO that the additional money for development will sell; only time will tell.

The EVO X was built with essentially the same world-motor as the Caliber SRT4, but Chrysler decided the extra investment needed to make an AWD Caliber SRT4 wasn't worth it... Mitsubishi took the ingredients, stroked a good bit more performance and AWD out of them and you got the EVO X...

[kylesvt720]

I've heard the SRT will be AWD, if they make it.

[RonMaiden]

Maybe it'll have some goodies but from the Dodges I've been around (trucks and cars) have had a less than stellar reliability record and no matter how cool a car is on the surface it won't mean much if it's at the dealer for work.

[Focus YBTC]

It looks alright but come on, the car it's based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is one of the best looking sedans ever. I get a little ill looking at the Dodge Darts and what the stylistic geniuses at Chrysler did to it. It's like they put a mustache on the Mona Lisa except it's not as funny as when Marcel Duchamp did it in 1919. Mopar Schmopar, just another name for bad taste.

[FLYLOW]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

So,it's their version of the Shelby Focus;more of a money grab than actual substance.

This! Win!

[FLYLOW]

Originally Posted by Focus YBTC

It looks alright but come on, the car it's based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is one of the best looking sedans ever. I get a little ill looking at the Dodge Darts and what the stylistic geniuses at Chrysler did to it. It's like they put a mustache on the Mona Lisa except it's not as funny as when Marcel Duchamp did it in 1919. Mopar Schmopar, just another name for bad taste.

This is why i lol everytime a see dart commercials on tv... The say it was designed from scratch, that its perfect, thats its very advanced blah blah blah

[mjd4277]

Has anyone here aside from me actually sat in one and DRIVEN IT??

[Focus YBTC]

Originally Posted by FLYLOW

This is why i lol everytime a see dart commercials on tv... The say it was designed from scratch, that its perfect, thats its very advanced blah blah blah

That is really funny too knowing the history of the platform. You have to wonder if Chrysler went through all that duplicitous nonsense simply because it's basically not an American car at its roots. Heck the whole company is Italy-based now why not celebrate it? We know the Ford Focus was hatched in Europe but that doesn't make me cry the blues (a completely American art form btw).

The commercial in question.

[boardgeneration]

Originally Posted by mjd4277

Has anyone here aside from me actually sat in one and DRIVEN IT??

Traded my 05 focus ZX3 in on one. I love it.
So does 99.8% of those who also own one.
The other .2% probably hate Dodge/Chrysler and their significant other bought it.

Say what ya want about the new Dart. Everyone has an opinion.
And after test driving the 12 Focus, I test drove the Dart.... The dart won. I know I'm happy with it.
And Only 160hp? Yes 160 in a 1.4L plus 184 lbs torque. Not that far from the svt if anyone's counting.
Plus with basic bolt-ons it up to 190hp from what I've seen from others dyno's so far.
No tune yet but once it's out.....
Looks are one thing yes I understand that. But as for performance it hold up just fine.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my focus!! I miss it a lot!!

[Focus YBTC]

Originally Posted by boardgeneration

Traded my 05 focus ZX3 in on one. I love it.
So does 99.8% of those who also own one.
The other .2% probably hate Dodge/Chrysler and their significant other bought it.

Say what ya want about the new Dart. Everyone has an opinion.
And after test driving the 12 Focus, I test drove the Dart.... The dart won. I know I'm happy with it.
And Only 160hp? Yes 160 in a 1.4L plus 184 lbs torque. Not that far from the svt if anyone's counting.
Plus with basic bolt-ons it up to 190hp from what I've seen from others dyno's so far.
No tune yet but once it's out.....
Looks are one thing yes I understand that. But as for performance it hold up just fine.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my focus!! I miss it a lot!!

I don't hate the Dart or Chrysler, I do think they took a styling masterwork and dumbed it down big time for the American market that's all. It still looks alright though as I said. Then to run commercials about how it's all a brand new advanced creation is a really pathetic thing for Chrysler to do. It's a fine car from what I've read about it. It's a bit heavy and the DCT has some issues but the Focus can be accused of the same things.