Press Kit: 2013 Dodge Dart

Auburn Hills, Mich. April 27, 2012 -  The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is a compact sedan that blends exceptional proportions, aero-dramatic surfacing, world-class craftsmanship, modern technology and an upscale feel in a package that is undeniably Dodge.

The eye-catching exterior proportions of the 2013 Dodge Dart are set off from every angle by dynamic lines and curves, with design cues tightly stretched over the all-new compact sedan platform.

“Our designers’ main objective was to create a harmonious surface language that incorporates many of the characteristics of the Dodge brand itself,” said Joe Dehner, Head of Dodge Exterior Design — Chrysler Group LLC. “Words like sinuous, alive, aero-dramatic and even sexy come to mind when describing the exterior design of the Dart.”

From the very first Dart sketch, the designers strived to achieve design nirvana while pushing and pulling on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta-based Compact U.S. Wide (CUS-wide) platform. Their effort results in a car that breaks the mold in the compact sedan segment with an athletic, fluid design. The all-new Dodge Dart, versus other compact sedan offerings in the marketplace, delivers:

• Longest wheelbase (106.4 inch)
• Widest front track (61.7 inch)
• Longest overall length (183.9 inch)
• Greatest width (72 inch)
• Longest greenhouse “footprint”
• Most aggressive tumblehome
• Unsurpassed wheel diameters (18 inch)

Together, these elements create a clean, dramatic silhouette that is aero-friendly and stable looking.

Must-have elements advance Dodge design
To create the Dodge Dart’s great-looking exterior, Dodge designers integrated modern technology and new paints and finishes to advance Dodge design.

The first must have was the vertical Dodge nose, which communicates a confident attitude. Charger, Challenger and Durango all have it, and now the Dart does as well, creating a consistent, recognizable trait for the Dodge family of vehicles.

The second must have was the Dart’s technology-driven lighting graphics. Headlamps and taillamps were designed around projector lamps and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for compressed, sleeker and wider looking graphic shapes.

Premium finishes were third. On the 2013 Dodge Dart, chrome is used with restraint and only where appropriate, such as on the Limited model. Glossy Piano Black paint-in-mold finishes, versus matte or mold-in-color (MIC) Black, is used on all models but is most predominant on the Rallye and R/T. Dodge’s own “Hyper Black” finish is exclusive to performance trims, such as the R/T and on the Rallye and R/T wheels.

Performance-inspired, timeless exterior design from front to rear
The front of the Dart is very fluid looking. A mask-like applique stretches between the headlamps and comes in two different finishes, body-color or glossy Piano Black to match the specific model. The mask showcases the Dart’s dual personalities as a car that will appeal to those who want a vehicle that exudes a stylish, contemporary look or one that offers a more high-performance image. In addition, this monographic design cue harmonizes the various design elements on the face of Dart while accentuating its enhanced track and width.

The bi-function projector headlamps come in two different appearances on the 2013 Dodge Dart. A Hyper Black finish is standard on Rallye and R/T models; chrome is standard on the SE, SXT and Limited models. The use of an upper fascia piece, which eliminates the traditional headlamp over slam gap, results in tight 360 degree gaps around the lamp on the Dart.

A new grille debuts on the 2013 Dodge Dart, which is a subtle evolution of the split crosshair theme introduced in 2011. On the Dart, the grille is much more compressed and much wider than it is tall, and it is styled to appear as if it is thrusting through the mask-like fascia applique. The grille comes in four different finishes, depending on the model:

• body-color crosshair with body-color grille surround (SE, SXT)
• body-color crosshair with black grille surround (Rallye)
• chrome crosshair with body-color grille surround (Limited)
• Hyper Black with black grille surround (R/T)

The raised chrome Dodge badge is new and incorporates the red, twin stripe logo.

The lower part of the Dodge Dart fascia features available projector fog lamps, located within glossy Piano Black inserts accented with Satin Chrome spear-like trim pieces.

In plan view, the hood of the 2013 Dodge Dart is very round with literally no corners on it. A “W” shaped cross-car section adds drama to the hood surface and helps fuse the fender tops into the base of the A-pillars. Subtle character lines near the center line visually add a wedge shape in the side view.

From the side view, the profile of the all-new Dodge Dart is equally as visually appealing. Thanks to the increase in track, designers were able to create subtle wheel bulges on all four wheels that artfully blend back into the CUS-wide platform’s sills and body-side surface planes.

Six wheel and tire combinations are available, from 16-inch wheel covers to 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels, depending on the model.

The Dodge Dart adds visual length to the profile with a sprung A line, while providing gesture and life to the clean body side design. Door handles are streamlined in appearance and available in three different finishes depending on the model: black, body color or chrome.

The Daylight Opening (DLO) graphic for the new Dodge Dart includes a rear quarter window that helps reduce blind spots and increase outward visibility for both drivers and passengers. The DLO features a glossy Piano Black finish on all models.

The Dart’s roof design includes a laser-braised roof ditch, which is extremely rare in the segment. The laser braising eliminates the need for traditional roof ditch moldings resulting in a cleaner appearance and better aerodynamics.

The Dart also carries some of the design lineage from its fellow Dodge stable mates, such as the C-pillar mini “flying buttress,” which is inspired by the Dodge Charger.

The family resemblance to the Dodge Charger doesn’t end there. From the rear, the Dart’s striking rear taillamps are a strong nod to its big brother, the Charger. The Dart’s segment-exclusive Charger-inspired full-width taillamp design accentuates the additional track and width of the Dart. The taillamps and decklid applique feature 152 indirectly glowing LEDs through an internal lens that creates a fractal glass appearance when lit. The outer lens design is molded in clear red and glossy Piano Black. The lit taillamps will be available on most Dart models. Similar to the front of the Dart, the rear is very round with virtually no corners on it. The design of the rear decklid is completed with an individual, raised chrome “DODGE” badge within the “racetrack” applique.

A two-piece rear fascia with a MIC Black lower diffuser panel further enhances the Dart’s aerodynamic performance.

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart features segment-exclusive 3-inch fascia-mounted twin elliptical bright exhaust tips artfully integrated into the diffuser panel on Rallye and R/T (available 3rd quarter 2012) or when equipped with the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo engine.

Athletic, sculpted, fluid and aesthetically agile appearance enables world-class aerodynamic performance
The Dodge Dart was designed for world-class aerodynamic performance. Air flows smoothly around, above and below the car without compromising styling or engine cooling requirements. The grille grates were optimized to minimize air “swoosh,” and the shape of the mirrors were refined for both aerodynamic and sound performance during hundreds of hours of wind tunnel analysis.

The all-new Dodge Dart is the first Dodge vehicle to use an active grille shutter system. The Dart also features a lower radiator closeout panel positioned below the front fascia, which both contributes to the car’s lower front-end appearance, and reduces drag while allowing for an 8-inch curb clearance.

Door uppers were designed and engineered so nothing sticks out or obstructs air flow around the vehicle, which can be a common source of wind noise. Tire spats located forward of the front and rear tires function as mini-air dams and were optimized for shape and ground clearance, adding to the underbody efficiency in conjunction with the underbody belly panels.

Twelve exterior colors from which to choose
Customers can choose from 12 exterior colors for the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart: Redline Red Pearl Coat, Header Orange Pearl Coat, Blue Streak Pearl Coat, True Blue Pearl Coat, Winter Chill Pearl Coat, Laguna Blue Clear Coat, Maximum Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Tungsten Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Citrus Peel Pearl Coat, Pitch Black Clear Coat and Bright White Clear Coat.