Dodge Puts Some Extra Muscle into the Dart GT

Chrysler has begun production on the 2013 Dodge Dart GT, which would contribute to the already strong sales of the standard Dart that Dodge has been enjoying this June. The Dart GT is a beefed-up version of their compact sedan that is powered by Chrysler's reengineered 2.4 liter in-line Tigershark engine. This naturally-aspirated engine shares Fiat's MultiAir2 variable-valve timing to squeeze the maximum performance out of the small power plant. This generates 184 hp and 171 lb. ft. of torque that is managed by a standard six-speed manual or the optional automatic transmission.

The performance design continues with the sports-tuned suspension, dual exhaust and the innovative active grille shutters that redirect airflow around the car, rather than into the engine bay, to improve the Dart GT's aerodynamics. This redesign has been continued underneath the body with race inspired under-body treatments, including aerodynamic panels that reduce drag as well as road noise, and which are usually only found on luxury models.

According to the Ken Garff Dodge dealer in UT, the Dart GT is the first performance product of the union of Chrysler and Fiat, and combines the robust engineering and the muscle car tradition at Dodge, with the small car expertise and performance-enhancing engineering of their Italian partners. Even so, the Dart GT is a last roll of the dice for Dodge in the highly competitive performance compact market that is currently dominated by European manufacturers, like BMW and Mercedes. What makes this a potentially serious threat to those cars, is the use of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta as a base for the new Dart's blueprint, which shaved over a year off of the development time. It also lets some of the kudos that the Giulietta has achieved since it hit the roads rub off on the Dart GT and this, combined with the array of options that Dodge offers, is hoped to see the already strong sales for their compact translate to the performance model.