2013 Dodge Dart

There has been much excitement over the brand-new 2013 Dodge Dart as it’s the first Chrysler product to be based upon a Fiat architecture – in fact so much that some couldn’t just wait and unleashed a slew of pictures as well as the first video of the compact sedan on the road.

The Dart effectively replaces the Caliber in Dodge’s lineup offering the Chrysler Group a direct rival to the Ford Focus and Chevrolet saloons.

It is based on a wider and longer version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta’s platform and will offer American buyers an initial choice of three gasoline four-cylinder engines including a pair of natural aspirated units with a displacement of 2.0-liters and 2.4-liters rated at 160 and 184-horses respectively as well as a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Abarth 500 with 160-ponies.

The front-wheel drive Dart will debut with a Fiat Group-sourced 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and a six-speed manual gearbox but in 2013, it will gain a new 9-speed transmission that is currently being developed by the ZF Group.