It can pay to have a perfect attendance record for sa group of California high school students.

For the second consecutive year, family-owned Victorville Motors is running the “Its a Gas to go to Class” program, which offers students the chance at a new car… provided they haven’t missed any class. Students with a perfect attendance record are eligible to enter a raffle that takes place during a day-long festival in the spring. Prizes in the raffle include two new Dodge Dart compact sedans.

Participating schools say the contest has already had a significant positive impact by boosting perfect attendance fourfold. In California, where state funding is partially decided by attendance records, that translates into fatter budgets to the tune of more than $1 million last year.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Dodge Dart Automatic DDCT Review

Last year, perfect attendance leaped from between 15 and 20 students, according to district superintendent Elvin Momon, to several hundred.

This year there are more jumping to participate in the program – six districts with a total 12 high schools. Even students that don’t win one of the two cars stand to win some sort of prize. For example, students with perfect records midway through the year are can win smaller prizes like gift cards.

The program is paying off for the dealer as well. It reports having sold “over 50 vehicles on the program during the first year, mostly to educators who were delighted to see a local business helping out with its local schools,” Watts said.

[Source: Automotive News]

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The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart has been awarded a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2013 Dart scored a five-star rating in both the overall frontal and side-impact crash tests, giving it an overall five-star score. It comes standard with 10 air bags and uses one of the auto industry’s highest content-ratios of high-strength steel, according to the automaker. Earlier this month, the Dart was awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

“The 5-star safety rating is further evidence that the all-new Dodge Dart is much more than a stylish, fun-to-drive vehicle,” says Chrysler U.S. sales CEO Reid Bigland. “The Dart represents genuine value, which we at Chrysler recognize is a precious commodity to consumers.”

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

Dodge has announced its all-new 2013 Dodge Dart Aero as its most fuel-efficient Dart model delivering up to 41-mpg with a starting price of $19,295.

Powered by the same 1.4-liter MultiAir intercooled turbocharged engine found in Fiat models, the Dodge Dart Aero has 160-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque while delivering up to 41-mpg on the highway. To help achieve that fuel efficiency, the American automaker engineered several aerodynamic enhancements for the Aero, including lightweight aluminum chassis components, active grille shutters, underbody aero kit, a lowered profile, and low-rolling resistance tires.

The 41-mpg highway rating is with the six-speed manual transmission, while the six-speed Dual Dry Clutch Transmission (DDCT) achieves 40-mpg on the highway.

“The all-new Dodge Dart is a groundbreaking vehicle, offering features and benefits never before offered in a compact car,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Dodge Brand. “The new Dart Aero builds on these attributes by combining a remarkable 41mpg with interior room of a mid-size car and class-leading technology, style and safety, for only $19,295.”

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

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The 2013 Dodge Dart equipped with a six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission mated to the 1.4-liter turbocharged powerplant has been rated by the EPA at 27-mpg city, 37-mpg highway.

While that may be disappointing that the automatic gets worse fuel economy than the comparable manual’s 27-mpg city, 39-mpg highway, it is a sign that the DCT-equipped Dart should be more focused on performance than fuel economy. The fuel economy is better than the 2.0-liter which is rated at 25-mpg city, 36-mpg highway for the manual and 24-mpg city, 34-mpg highway for the conventional automatic.

As for pricing, the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine is a $1,300 premium to the price of the standard Dart, while the standard or dual-clutch automatic will beg another $1,100.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2013 Dodge Dart Review and watch out video review below.

[Source: Allpar.com]

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Dodge will be teaming up with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to launch a nationwide tour centered around music and the all-new 2013 Dart compact.

The ‘Road to Las Vegas’ tour will travel to 11 cities across America, and each of those 11 major markets will have a local event featuring music, on-air Clear Channel radio personalities, and test drives of the 2013 Dart. Every person that takes the Dart on a test drive will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes to win one of 12 VIP packages to the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. Each VIP package comes with a pair of tickets to the Festival, a backstage opportunity to meet artist Pitbull, and a chance to win a customized Dodge Dart by Pitbull.

Worried that the tour won’t head to your city? Don’t worry, anyone that walks into a local Dodge dealership and takes the Dart for a test drive will also be entered into the drawing.

As for the tour itself, it will kick off in Dallas on July 29th, before it heads off to Phoenix (August 4-5), Los Angeles (August 10-12), San Antonio (August 18), Orlando (August 25), Atlanta (August 31), Baltimore (September 7), Brooklyn (September 8), and Denver (September 16). There are scheduled stops in Detroit and Chicago, though the dates will be announced at a later time.

“Our goal in working with Dodge on this unique campaign is to help make the 2013 Dodge Dart the automotive conversation of the summer,” said Tim Castelli, President of Sales, Marketing and Partnerships for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “This campaign showcases Clear Channel’s strengths: our ability to execute creative, integrated and multiplatform campaigns that connect major brands with consumers and today’s top artists.”

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2013 Dodge Dart First Drive

Surprising, considering it’s faced two recent recalls, the 2013 Ford Escape is the most read new car review on AutoGuide this week.

Following the Escape is Dodge’s important new Dart compact car, followed by the functional and fun Hyundai Elantra GT and the Cadillac XTS, which is off to a quick start in the sales figures. And finally, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo continues to be a popular article.

If you’re shopping for a new car or just keeping tabs on the latest test drives, check out the hot links to each of the stories below and see more new car reviews here.

2013 Ford Escape Review

Ford gambles big saying bu-bye to boxy

2013 Dodge Dart Review – Video

Dodge’s new compact sedan offers choice, at a price

Hyundai Elantra GT First Drive

Hyundai’s European hatch is obviously functional, surprisingly fun

Cadillac XTS Review – Video

Huge luxury without the huge price tag, XTS wows with technology

Hyundai Veloster Turbo First Drive

Veloster Turbo adds performance, lacks passion

In a recent article, Automotive News praised the new Dodge Dart as an example of true synergies between Fiat and Chrysler, declaring, “the Dart uses savings from its shared Fiat platform and co-developed technology to give Chrysler a larger, more powerful and technologically advanced compact sedan at a lower price than its competitors.” 

The publication also hinted that new models based on this architecture, dubbed CUSW are already in developmental testing, “including the successor to the Jeep Liberty that will be built at Chrysler’s Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly plant and a Chrysler 100 hatchback that will join the Dart on the line in Belvidere, Ill. Both of those vehicles are expected in 2013.”

Another interesting rumor emerging is that the Liberty’s successor, despite being car derived, will revert to the Cherokee name. Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley was recently quoted as saying, ”the Cherokee has a huge amount of equity. Liberty, I think, has built up some equity as well. I don’t think we’re going to invent a name.”

This would seem logical, since the Liberty was called a Cherokee in Europe and would not only save costs and time on nameplate manufacturing but likely also marketing strategies and brand awareness campaigns too.

[Source: Auto News]

When the Dodge Dart hits dealers later this year it will be the first Fiat-based Chrysler product to go on sale in America and will also offer competitive fuel economy.

While not quite segment leading, the new numbers are near the top of the pack, with the entry-level 160 hp 2.0-liter Tigershark 4-cylinder rated at 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway with the six-speed manual, and 29 mpg combined.

Available after launch will be a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbocharged 4-cylinder (shared with the Fiat 500 Abarth) also making 160 hp mated to a dual-clutch transmission making 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, though it will still get a 29 mpg combined rating. Dodge also plans to launch a fuel economy package “aero” version of the Dart with “at least” 41 mpg highway, which will arrive in the the Fall.

In addition, Dodge will offer a 184 hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder model, though no fuel economy numbers have been announced for that package yet.

The 2013 Dodge Dart will go on sale in June starting from $15,995.

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

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It looks like the days of plugging in your mobile device to a 12-volt power outlet might soon be over, at least if you drive a Chrysler product. Beginning with the 2013 Dodge Dart, the company has announced it will be introducing a wireless in-car charging system.

The system uses a storage bin that measures 8.27 x 9.5 x 3.25 inches. Mounted below the center stack and in front of the console, it features an integrated charging grid that allows a smart phone or other portable device to be charged when placed on top of it (a special device casing with pins on it is required for your phone or other devices to be charged).

The wireless charging device, which will be offered through Chrysler’s Mopar Parts and Accessories division, will retail for $199.99 plus installation by your local dealer. It will be available starting this summer, timed for introduction alongside the new Dodge Dart.

Just about a week ago, we told our readers about the new Dodge Dart Rally Car that will compete in the Global RallyCross Series, with X Games ace Travis Pastrana at the helm.

Now Dodge has revealed a video of their 600-hp, all-wheel drive Dart, being put to the test by Pastrana. The video is full of Ken Block Gymkhana style slow-motion scenes, which we think is getting a little old to be honest.

The Dart RallyCross racer is shown tackling both dirt and tarmac sections and ends up losing its rear bumper in all the mayhem.

You can check out the video below.

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Looking to make a connection with the Gen Y crowd, Dodge has announced that the new 2013 Dart compact car will compete in this year’s Global RallyCross series. Looking for success, Dodge has hired on four-time Rally America Champion Travis Pastrana, who also just so happens to have 17 gold medals at the X Games.

Stacking the deck further in their favor, Dodge has built a custom Dart, using all-wheel drive rather than the street car’s front-drive setup and has also upped the horsepower considerably. Using a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, Dodge says the Dart race car is capable of 600 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque.

“At Dodge, racing is an integral part of our heritage and embodies our competitive spirit, so we’re very excited to announce the next chapter in racing for Dodge with our all-new Dodge Dart,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO of Dodge. “The new Dart Global RallyCross Championship car with 600 horsepower and driver Travis Pastrana takes our passion for performance to all new heights.”

Said Pastrana; “The new Dodge Dart offers the perfect platform for rally cross, and I look forward to putting it on the podium all season long!”

An off-shoot of the X Games, Global RallyCross combines rally racing with motocross, with cars capable of hitting 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds and jumps of 70 feet (over other race traffic below).

The series starts May 26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a total of seven races for the season including two at the X Games. The entire series will air on ESPN.

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If you buy a Dodge Dart and get the sneaking suspicion that it feels like someone was drinking when they put the thing together, you just might be right.

Brian Ahlert, 41, of Janesville, Wis., was returning from work at the Belvidere, Ill. plant responsible for manufacturing the Dart when he was arrested for drunk driving. The incident occurred last Saturday at 8:04 p.m. according to GazetteXtra.com.

He was pulled over after witnesses reported his 1995 Chevy Lumina was “all over the road.” When police caught up to him, Ahlert was driving 40 mph in a 55 mph zone.  He told police he had been drinking all day during his shift at the Chrysler plant.

This isn’t the first, or even second time in recent memory that we’ve reported on Chrysler employees being drunk on the job. Last summer, news cameras caught workers at a Detroit plant drinking and getting high while at work.

Apparently, this was Ahlert’s fifth drinking and driving offense, we’re just grateful nobody got hurt.

While it’s a huge stretch to assume that Alhert’s behavior is common where he works, we hope the others in charge of making Dodge’s new flagship economy car are of sounder mind.

[Source: Janesville Gazette]