2013 Dodge Dart sample configurator goes live, prices not finalized

Members of the Dodge Dart Lovers Club unite: Dodge needs your help pinning down the price and model matrix for the Dodge Dart. As Ford recently did with the 2013 Escape, Dodge has set up a configurator with tentative pricing and options for five trims of the small sedan. According to the automaker, the point is to "provide us with information on how you want to see the all-new Dart," but it's a survey more than a true builder, so "Please note the packaging and pricing information on this site is for survey purposes only."

As of now, the not-finalized price of entry is $17,200 for a Dart SE with the 2.0-liter Tigershark powerplant with 160 horsepower. The standard engine remains the same but the options swell on the next three models: the $19,00 SXT adds things like bigger wheels and keyless entry; the $20,500 Rallye gets a new front fascia and a leather-wrapped steering wheel; the $21,500 Limited installs the 8.4-inch infotainment center and seven-inch reconfigurable dash cluster; and with the top-of-the-mountain, manual transmission, $24,000 R/T you upgrade to the 2.4-liter, 184-horsepower Tigershark engine, bigger wheels and dual exhaust.

The options are plentiful – all trims are offered in manual and automatic, and the 1.4-liter turbo is an engine option on the SXT, Rallye and Limited. Remember, though, some options wouldn't exactly make sense if this were a finalized model. The $19,400 SXT comes with Keyless Entry, but on the $24,000 R/T you have to purchase the $1,400 Technology Group that includes Keyless Entry. Our highly scientific test involved checking every option on an automatic R/T. The result: a $31,050 Dodge Dart.

That's why, as the site says, "The features and prices for the final 2013 Dodge Dart will become available when the vehicle goes on sale in Q2 of 2012. The information on this site may change frequently, so don't be surprised if things look different next time you visit." Head over to the configurator and get cracking, and see all 12 available colors in our gallery below.


News Source: Dodge

Non-U.S. Automakers Displeased After President Obama Snubs Them at Washington Auto Show

Non-U.S. Automakers Displeased After President Obama Snubs Them at Washington Auto Show - On Tuesday, January 31, U.S. President Barack Obama’s schedule included a visit to the 2012 Washington Auto Show. The White House informed automakers on a two days’ notice to bring their most fuel-efficient models to the show. Naturally, they obliged. For example, Honda flew in the FCX Clarity from California, Kia brought the Optima hybrid and Mercedes-Benz a fuel-cell car. Carmakers also brought along their top brass to discuss green technologies with the President.
As Bloomberg reports, the problem is that Obama, who had half an hour in his disposal, ignored foreign manufacturers.
Instead, he spent most of his time with domestic brands, posing for the press with the Dodge Dart, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Ford C-MAX Energi, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (not pretty fuel efficient those two, by the way…).
“When you look at all these cars, it is testimony to the outstanding work that’s been done by workers, American workers, American designers”, said Obama. “The U.S. auto industry is back. The fact that GM is back, number one, I think shows the kind of turnaround that’s possible when it comes to American manufacturing.”
The Association of Global Automakers’ CEO Michael Stanton said that representatives of non-U.S. manufacturers were displeased with the President’s action.
“Many of our members bent over backwards to meet the request from the White House”, said Stanton. “We were just terribly disappointed that the President refused to recognize the commitment that our members and others have made to the manufacturing base of the United States.”
Stanton added that members of the Washington-based Association, which includes Toyota, Honda and Kia, have made investments in excess of US$43 billion to the country and employ more than 80,000 workers.
Ironically, one day later, Honda announced its plans to invest US$100 million to its Ohio transmission plant, which is part of a total investment of half a billion in upgrading the factory in the last 18 months.
John O’Donnel, executive VP of the show organizers, said, “I don’t believe it was an intentional snub. I think he was checking up on the investment he made in the domestics”, referring to the 2009 GM-Chrysler bailout.
White House spokeswoman Sandra Abrevaya declined to comment.
Published by: carscoop

2012 Detroit Auto Show: Revealed! 2013 Dodge Dart Ahead of Detroit

2012 Detroit Auto Show: As the doors of the COBO Center are about to open, the excitement emanating from Detroit can be felt throughout the industry. This city is the birthplace of countless American automotive greats, so it's only befitting that the rejuvenated (and financially healthy) Chrysler Group is taking full advantage of the event.Coming off the success of last year's "Imported from Detroit" Superbowl theme, the automaker will officially unveil their latest assault on the extremely important C-segment: the 2013 Dodge Dart.

 

And without much surprise, photos and a video have just been leaked only a couple of days before its official unveiling. Revealed here in R/T trim, the new Dart's chassis comes courtesy of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, although the former has a longer and wider architecture with a large percentage being constructed of high-strength steel.

Power will come from a range of engines, including the new Tigershark lineup of small displacement engines, such as a 2.0-liter four-banger, a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo, and a 2.4-liter MultiAir.Judging by these photos, it's clear that Dodge invested huge amounts of time and money into the Dart and it looks really solid, both inside and out. We'll have complete details in the coming days from Detroit.

  

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