The Mopar ‘13 Dart is a limited edition model of Dodge’s latest compact sedan that is intended to drum up enthusiast interest for the automobile. Only 500 examples of the Mopar ’13 Dart will be built, and the vehicle dips into Mopar’s performance and style accessories bin in order to create an aggressive personality for the small car. A few high tech gadgets sprinkled throughout the interior also serve to tempt young buyers. The special Dodge Dart joins a line of different Mopar-themed special models stretching all the way back to 2010 that includes luminaries such as the Charger and the Challenger.
What’s New for the Mopar ‘13 Dart:
- Slick exterior looks
- Sporty passenger compartment touches
- Performance upgrades including suspension and braking
- Limited production (500 models)
New Mopar ‘13 Dart: Styling and Design It’s impossible to miss the Mopar ’13 Dart in a crowd, with the car’s shiny black paint scheme accented via a single blue stripe runing from the front bumper all the way to the back along the driver’s side of the car. Mopar badging can found on the grille and wheel center caps, while a body kit that includes a front spoiler and a rear diffuser adds to the sedan’s competition-inspired looks. The interior gains leather accents on the steering wheel and shift knob, along with more black and blue trim and fabrics to tie the passenger compartment to the car’s exterior finish.
New Mopar ‘13 Dart: What’s Under the Hood The Mopar ’13 Dart is motivated by the same 1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that can be found under the hood of the standard Dart. In stock form, this unit produces 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, but despite Mopar not releasing any specific figures for the ’13 Dart it’s safe to say that the vehicle’s tuned exhaust system probably adds a few extra ponies to the mix. A six-speed manual transmission is the only gearbox available with the special model.
New Mopar ‘13 Dart: Features and Technology The Mopar ‘13 Dart comes with a trick suspension system that rides seven millimeters lower than stock, a slammed look that is enhanced by the thinner rubber on its summer tires. The car also stops much quicker than normal thanks to performance brakes and slotted rotors, and its steering ratio has been quickened. Inside, the ’13 Dart features wireless charging for mobile devices – which Mopar is claiming is a first in the automotive segment – and navigation is standard. Each of the 500 examples to be built will be accompanied by a ‘personalized owner kit’ that contains information and memorabilia associated with the sedan.
New Mopar ‘13 Dart: What Autobytel Thinks The Mopar ‘13 Dart is going to appeal to a small subset of Dodge fans looking for a Dart that no one else has. It’s not quite the SRT version of the compact sedan that the compact performance crowd is clamoring for, but it’s a step in the right direction for the brand. The Mopar ’13 Dart also indicates just how much more attention the car is drawing compared to the model it essentially replaced – the Caliber – which bodes well for Dodge’s future prospects in the entry-level segment it had all but abandoned just a few short years ago.
Photos by Megan Green
