The production of the Dodge Dart, American saloon based on the same platform of Alfa Romeo Giulietta, has started. The video released by Chrysler shows the first model out of the assembly line at its Belvidere’s plant in Illinois. The population of this area is particularly grateful to Fiat, because without Dart the factory would have risked closure.

In the States there are great expectations for this promising car, which is already seen as a commercial success, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbo engine of Italian origins, although many would like to see a sportier version, maybe with larger wheels, side skirts and a 2.4-litre engine. The price of the base model is $ 15,995 and it will be launched in five trim levels. The car will be available in showrooms from next month.

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We have been talking a lot about the new Dodge Dart in the last few days: we received some teasers first and then, yesterday, right before its official unveiling at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, we published the official photo gallery as well as the most significant specs. Now we have some more special contents to bring forward about Dodge’s latest output: an exclusive photo gallery taken live by our photographers in Detroit as well as Dodge’s official Press Release, that you can access by clicking on the ‘Continue reading’ link below.

As previously reported, the new Dodge Dart has been developed on the same platform that generated the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (making it the first Chrysler Group vehicle built on Fiat Group architecture), and will take on the market with the following engine range: a 2.0-litre 16-valve unit delivering 160 hp, a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre delivering 184 hp and a turbocharged 1.4 MultiAir engine, also producing 160 hp. The Dart sports a pretty athletic exterior and boasts an equally classy interior, using materials and craftsmanship that are typical of cars from an higher segment. The model is equipped with a number of safety devices (i.e. 10 air bags, reactive head-restraint system, blind-spot and rear cross path detection, brake assist and so forth) as well as segment-leading technology (most notably its 8.4″ Uconnect Touch Media Center).

The new Dodge Dart will compete in the compact sedan segment and will be available in 12 exterior colors and 14 color/trim combinations for the interior. The production of the new model will start this coming summer at Chrysler’s plant in Belvidere, Illinois, with the first units expected to hit a Dodge’s showrooms near you in the fall of 2012. To find out more about the new Dodge Dart, see the official Press Release after the jump.

View the full Dodge Dart Live at the 2012 NAIAS photo gallery

Continue reading: Dodge Dart: our live pictures from the 2012 NAIAS

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Following a slew of teasers and rumors, the first official images and a video of the new Dodge Dart have finally surfaced on the internet, just a few hours before its official unveiling at the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit. As previously reported, the Dart has been developed on the same C-Evo platform that generated the Alfa Romeo Giulietta - making it the first Chrysler car based on a Fiat’s platform - and will go on to replace the Caliber in Dodge’s line-up. Strategy-wise, the Dart represents a very important model for the Fiat-Chrysler Group, which just needs to new model to be successful in order to revamp its position on the American market and achieve the goals they have set for themselves for the next two years.

This massive photo gallery and the video give us the chance to take an all-comprehensive look at the model, which will be undisputed star at the Dodge’s stall in Detroit. The Dart appears to be longer than the Alfa Romeo-badged model it derives from (it has a three box configuration, whereas the Giulietta is a proper hatchback), boasts a quite aggressive-looking front end dominated by massive hexagonal grille and a rear end that makes large use of LED technology. The cabin features fine upholstery and a pretty original dashboard design, with an original instrumentation cluster and a 8.4″ LCD touch-screen placed right in the middle. Through this screen, the driver will be able to control the main functions of the car as well as its modern info-tainment options, which rely on the Uconnect system. in order to please any kind of customer, Dodge will offer 14 different color-finishing-upholstery combinations for the interior.

The Dodge Dart will begin its commercial life with three 4-cylinder engine options taken from the automaker’s range of new Tigershark small-displacement engines: a 2.0-litre 16-valve unit delivering 160 hp, a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre delivering 184 hp and a turbocharged 1.4 MultiAir engine producing also 160 hp. As for the transmission, initially there will be two possible choices: a 6-speed manual gearbox or the TCT dual clutch transmission (both of which have been seen on the Giulietta), while another 9-speed automatic gearbox manufactured by German specialist ZF will join the fold at a later time. Dodge confirms that 68% of the Dart’s body structure is made of high-strength steel, which can be thinner and lighter than standard steel. The production of the 2013 Dodge Dart is scheduled to start this coming summer at Chrysler’s plant in Belvedere, Illinois, with the first models expected to hit the showrooms in Autumn 2012.

View the full Dodge Dart photo gallery

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Two more teasers of the upcoming Dodge Dart have been released by the American carmaker. The new model will make its official debut next January in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, and has been developed on the same C-Evo platform that spawned Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Dart will replace the Caliber in Dodge’s range and will boast high quality interior as one of its stronger points: top-notch finishing, 14 different color combinations and plenty of options for its customization will make its passenger compartment worth of a car from a superior class.

As for the teasers, on the first one we can notice right away a little LCD monitor placed right in between tachometer and transmission gauges, providing some navigation info as well as other data (such as fuel consumption) in its upper side. The second one is a snapshot of the 8.4″ touch-screen media/infotainment display probably located in the center of the dashboard, that seems to offer plenty of menus to manage all the functions of the car as well as other peripheral devices.

The new Dodge Dart will be available with 12 paint color options, 6 different sets of wheels, 3 engine choices and 3 different types of transmission, including the 6-speed dual clutch gearbox by Fiat and a 9-speed automatic option supplied by German ZF Group.

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In an interview with Reuters, Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed more info about the upcoming Dodge Dart, the new model developed on the same platform that gave birth to Alfa Romeo Giulietta and that will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012.

Mr.Marchionne revealed that the Dart line will have a very low average fuel consumption thanks to brand new engines and transmissions, and indicated 40 mpg (5.88 l/100km) as the reference figure for the range. As previously reported, the Dart will enter the market with an engine range made of a 16-valve 2.0-litre unit, a supercharged 16-valve 1.4-litre MultiAir Intercooled engine (same as Fiat 500 Abarth) and a new 16-valve 2.4-litre MultiAir 4-cylinder engine.

Initially, a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be in charge of delivering the power to the front axle, but Marchionne also revealed that later in 2013 Dodge will also offer a 9-speed automatic gearbox supplied by Germany’s ZF Group but manufactured in South Carolina. This move alone should provide the Dart with a 10-15% improvement in terms of fuel consumption over the dual clutch configuration, putting its fuel economy firmly in the 40 mpg area. This data is particularly relevant as Fiat will obtain its final 5% share of Chrysler when they’ll produce a vehicle with a 40-mpg rating.

via | Autoblog.com

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Dodge will unveil the all-new ‘Dart‘ at the next North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. This four-door compact sedan can be considered as the successor of the Caliber, and has been developed on the same platform that generated Alfa Romeo Giulietta, making it is the first Chrysler Group vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture. The two teasers released so far by the carmaker are quite promising, at least from an aesthetic point of view.

Initially there will be three engine options available: a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-litre, a 16-valve 1.4-litre MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine (for the first time on a Chrysler-badged vehicle), and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-litre MultiAir 4-cylinder engine. This last one is also especially interesting as it is going to be the first time that MultiAir technology will be used by an American car. Three transmission options will also be made available, but at the moment Dodge hasn’t released any specific detail about them. The Dodge Dart will be produced at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, Illinois.

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