For those who were hoping Dodge would unwrap the Dart SRT4 at this year's Detroit auto show, the new 2013 Dodge Dart GT isn't it. For all its sporty pretensions, the 2013 Dart GT is more 'warm sedan' than hot hatch, with minor performance modifications sure to please compact customers looking for a slightly more involved driving experience than found on the regular Dart.
0:00 / 0:00
Consider the 2013 Dodge Dart GT a placeholder in the Dart lineup as the automaker continues to consider a high-performance Dart R/T(the trim level the Dart GT was originally planned as), or a Dart SRT4. The aggressively styled Dart GT features a blacked-out grille, five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, and dual exhaust. Following the Chevrolet Sonic RS's approach, the power output from the Dart GT's 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 remains at 184 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The only performance changes consist of a standard sport suspension.
The 2013 Dart GT will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Dodge's six-speed automatic is an available option.
Aside from the sporty looks and suspension, the Dodge Dart GT also gets a number of luxury touches; exclusive heated Nappa leather seats (in black with red stitching or a black-and-red combination), a heated steering wheel, an 8.4-inch touch screen, a 7-inch reconfigurable instrument panel display, and "racetrack" LED taillights are all standard. The option sheet will include extras like a 10-speaker Alpine sound system, HID headlights, a sunroof, and black-painted wheels.
The 2013 Dodge Dart GT will makes its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and be on sale at dealers not long after for $21,790, including destination.
Source: Dodge
I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself. So instead of blathering on about where I was born (New York City, in case you were wondering) or what type of cars I like (all of ’em, as long as it has a certain sense of soul or purpose), I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car (see above): How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too. Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog. I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name (The Stig’s American Cousin), signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work. Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
Read More
