Dodge Dart (PF)


The Dodge Dart is a front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-door compact sedan that was manufactured and marketed by then FCA US LLC, a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The automobile debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. In some non-US markets, the Dodge Dart is sold as the Fiat Viaggio.
Reviving a nameplate used by Dodge in model years 1960-1976 for a succession of full-size, mid-size, and finally compact models, the Dart was the brand's first compact sedan since 2005, when the Neon was discontinued.

History

A mini MPV concept car was designed and developed by Chrysler and revealed in 2006 as the Dodge Hornet to be sold exclusively in Europe. It was Dodge's first attempt at building a vehicle of this small size, and the car was expected to be released in 2010. However, this concept was dropped because of the Great Recession 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 to replace the Dodge Caliber.
The Dart was initially 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.
On March 4, 2014, at the Geneva Motor Show, Sergio Marchionne commented on the 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.

Features

The Dart had three transmission options, and available electrically boosted power steering that has a sensor and electric motor mounted to the rack itself. Interiors were customizable with 12 different color/fabric combinations, optional ambient lighting systems, and optional leather seats. The dashboard featured a color TFT display with trip computer and navigation system. Storage included a glove box, center console with auxiliary electronics jacks, and console map pockets. Trunk volume is.
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 made it possible for Fiat to acquire an additional 5% share of Chrysler Group.
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, and stabilizer bar while 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."

Models

The 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

The SE was the base Dart model between 2013 and 2016. It offered the following standard equipment: 160-horsepower 2.0L Tigershark I4 engine, six-speed manual transmission, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player with auxiliary and USB inputs, four-speaker audio system, heater, power windows and door locks, cloth seating surfaces, dual manually-adjustable front bucket seats, split-folding rear bench seat, full instrumentation, fifteen-inch 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

The SXT was the "mid-level" trim level of the Dart between 2013 and 2016. It added the following equipment to the base SE trim level: sixteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, U Connect Bluetooth with streaming audio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system, air conditioning, keyless entry, and exterior color-keyed door handles and side mirrors. Additional options for this trim level included sixteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the U Connect 8.4-inch 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 1.4 L MultiAir Turbocharged I4 engine, the Rallye Package, a seven-inch 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

The Limited was the "up-level" Dart trim level between 2013 and 2016. It added the following equipment to the "mid-level" SXT trim level: seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the U Connect 8.4-inch infotainment system, a power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, Nappa luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual heated front seats, a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display, a six-speed automatic transmission, a 160-horsepower 1.4 L MultiAir Turbocharged I4 engine, a 184-horsepower 2.4 L Tigershark Inline Four-Cylinder engine, seventeen-inch 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. In mid-2016, the Limited trim level of the Dodge Dart was discontinued.

Aero

The Aero trim level of the 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 1.4 L MultiAir 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

The GT was the top-of-the-line 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 Granite Crystal-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium amplified surround-sound audio system and a 184-horsepower 2.4 L Tigershark I4 engine. Additional options on this trim level included eighteen-inch Hyper Black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a remote start. During the final few months of Dodge Dart production, this model was known as the GT Sport.

Engines

The Dart had three engine options: a Tigershark 16-valve 2 L engine, a "Tigershark" 16-valve 2.4 L MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine, and a 16-valve 1.4 L MultiAir Intercooled turbo engine used also in the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. That engine has been retuned for American use in the Fiat 500 Abarth. The 1.4T Dart also will have more torque than the Abarth. A 6-speed manual transmission was available with all engines. A six-speed automatic was optional on the 2.0 L and 2.4 L engines while a six-speed dual-clutch transmission was available on the 1.4 L turbo version. Marchionne stated that a 9-speed automatic would be available sometime later, but the Dart ended production before it could be added. All Dart engines were built in Dundee, Michigan.
In 2014, the Dart SXT and Limited included a 2.4 L I4 engine with increased horsepower ratings, while making the 2.0 L Tigershark I4 engine only available in the base SE model. The 2.4 L I4 engine was offered in late 2013 with the introduction of the Dart GT model. The Dart Aero, Rallye, SXT, and Limited models are the only models available with the 1.4 L MultiAir turbocharged I4 engine.
ModelEngine typeDisplacementPowerTorqueFuel consumption EPA est.Notes
SE, SXT, SXT Sport, Rallye, Limited Chrysler 2.0 L I4 Tigershark1,999 cc at 6,400 rpm at 4,600 rpm/-
SXT, Rallye, Limited Fiat 1.4 L I4 FIRE MultiAir Turbo at 5,500 rpm at 2,500 rpm/-
AeroFiat 1.4 L I4 FIRE MultiAir Turbo at 5,500 rpm at 2,500 rpm/-
SXT, Limited, GT, GT SportChrysler 2.4 L I4 Tigershark MultiAir 22,360 cc at 6,250 rpm at 4,800 rpm/-

*Source:
Engine modelYearsTransmissions
Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter four-cylinder2012–166-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
Fiat 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo2012–166-speed manual, 6-speed dual dry clutch
2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 22012–166-speed manual, 6-speed automatic

Safety

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 Euro NCAP tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 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.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety was safety tested by IIHS in 2013
Small overlap front:driver-sideAcceptable
Moderate overlap frontGood
SideGood
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints & seatsGood

Overall:
Frontal driver:
Frontal passenger:
Side driver:
Side passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover: / 10.70%