Dec 6th, 2011 by Ross Edwards
Dodge is finally putting the functional but little loved Caliber out of its misery. Launched with unbelievably bad timing, the Caliber mimics the large SUVs that have had a bullseye on their backs, especially with small-car-inclined buyers, since the fuel economy woes of the past few years started. While the Caliber’s wagon configuration and available all-wheel drive should have made it a darling with the frugal crowd, particularly those without a Subaru dealership nearby, the big truck styling probably turned off more buyers than it turned on.
Chrysler’s hoi-polloi brand is taking a completely different route with the upcoming 2013 Dodge Dart and taking cues from the attractive 2012 Dodge Charger’s styling. Complete pictures of the 2013 Dodge Dart haven’t been released, but the two sneak peeks that have show a tail light assembly that wraps around the entire rear, plainly taken from the Charger. Thankfully, Dodge has not made a 3/4 version of the Charger with the 2013 Dart and the Dart does have a unique styling to the front end.
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and will be the first Chrysler vehicle based on a Fiat one. The Dart will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, a 1.4-liter turbo-four or a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Horsepower and fuel economy specs have not been disclosed by Chrysler yet.
Despite its European underpinnings, the 2013 Dodge Dart will be built in the U.S.A.