2013 Dodge Dart GT Offers More Power, Attractive Price

Thanks to neglect and mismanagement Chrysler was forced to go years without a decent small car in its lineup. The recently departed Caliber was anything but a competent vehicle. It put the “rude” in “crude.” Thankfully, Chrysler got back into the compact-car segment in a big way last year with the Dodge Dart and it’s expanding the lineup this year.

In an effort to appeal to even more buyers the company just unwrapped the Dart GT at the Detroit Auto Show. As you might expect, it’s a sportier version of the car, and curiously it’s named after the original that first came out in 1963.

Ahead of the firewall sits a 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 engine. It delivers a more-than-competitive 184 horsepower with 174 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard while a PowerTech AutoStick slushbox is optional. Like its shift-yourself-stablemate it too features a half-dozen gears.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Dodge Dart Review

As for the chassis, engineers have changed things up, adding frequency-sensing damping shocks. The upgrade should deliver an even sportier driving experience than the regular car.

To match those technical changes the styling has been altered as well. The Dart GT gets standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, a performance front fascia with a “Hyper Black” grille and projector-beam head- and fog-lights. Pretty snazzy stuff for a compact car. Buyers can also choose from an impressive palate of 12 exterior colors.

View Complete 2013 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Inside, the updates are just as subtle, but significant. The seats are heated and trimmed in perforated Nappa leather. An 8.4-inch touch-screen is standard, as is reconfigurable instrument cluster featuring a display that’s nearly as large (7 inches). A 10-way-adjustable driver’s seat is included at no extra cost as well.

The base price of the 2013 Dodge Dart GT is $20,995.