Source: Dodge - Press releases (4) after the jump.
Press Release:
Dodge Hits the Bull’s Eye with an All-new Compact Car – The Dodge Dart
The All-new 2013 Dodge Dart Blends Alfa Romeo DNA with Dodge’s
Passion for Performance and Style, Resulting in a Groundbreaking Compact
Sedan
- All-new 2013 Dodge Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle built on Fiat Group architecture
- 2013 Dodge Dart breaks new ground with a savvy, modern,
unmistakable Dodge design that evokes emotion, efficiency and fluidity
of movement and delivers world-class aerodynamics
- Dodge Dart offers five well-equipped trim levels with
class-leading safety features and breakthrough technology typically
found in more expensive vehicle segments
- Three state-of-the art, fuel-efficient powertrains with available MultiAir® technology power the fun-to-drive 2013 Dodge Dart
The 2013 Dodge Dart redefines performance with Alfa Romeo DNA,
fuel-efficient powertrains and Dodge’s passion for performance. The
all-new Dodge Dart is a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s fuel-efficient,
beautifully designed and crafted, agile and fun-to-drive. Loaded with innovative technology, class-leading safety features and clever functionality, the 2013 Dodge Dart sets a new standard in the compact car segment by offering unmatched personalization, roominess, style, functionality and fun-to-drive dynamics.
“The all-new Dodge Dart is a groundbreaking car that will surprise and delight customers who want a no-compromise, fun-to-drive car that’s a great value,” said Reid Bigland, President and Chief Executive Officer — Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “With 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim options, three powerful, fuel-efficient engines, three transmission choices, unsurpassed safety features and world-class aerodynamics, the new Dodge Dart sets a new standard for the compact car class.”
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T. It will be built in the United States at Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Ill. Production of the 2013 Dodge Dart will begin in the second quarter of 2012.
Performance-inspired design
Exterior
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart boasts a timeless, stylish and distinctive exterior design. The car sports an athletic, sculpted, fluid and aesthetically agile appearance. The exterior design of the Dart conveys a level of visual drama and timeless surfaces that add excitement to the competitive compact sedan segment in the United States.
“The Dodge Dart was a dream to design,” said Joe Dehner, Head of Dodge Design — Chrysler Group LLC. “The Alfa Romeo-based architecture allowed us to design an exterior with great proportions that say ‘fun-to-drive’ when you look at it. Add in the Charger-inspired ‘racetrack’ taillamps, a new, sleek crosshair grille and piano black accents, and it all adds up to a performance-inspired design with just the right amount of attitude.”
The Fiat Group-based Compact U.S. Wide (CUS-wide) architecture’s low, wide and long dimensions ensured a stable “body-in, wheels-out” stance and coupe-like silhouette. The CUS-wide platform allowed for accentuating the fender formations and pushing the wheels as far out to the corners as possible, creating a very stable look, which gave Dodge designers incredible opportunities for some very dramatic sculpturing. Designers visually stretched the skin of the car over the vehicle framework as if stretching nylon over a surface.
“When designing the all-new Dodge Dart, we were inspired by classic, beautifully designed vehicles throughout time,” Dehner added. “Each car was beautiful, based on its surface work and presence alone; they didn’t need unnecessary cladding, jewelry or lines that confuse the eye.”
Once the basic design was in place, with dynamic lines and curves from every angle, designers inserted a little Dodge attitude into the mix. The face of the Dart was styled with the unmistakable Dodge split crosshair grille, but with a modern, sleek look that “floats” in the front fascia, giving the Dart a full-width mask that marks it as a Dodge.
The rear view of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart features an available Charger-inspired “racetrack” full-width taillamp with 152 indirect glow LEDs, and class-exclusive dual exhausts mounted in the rear fascia.
The front of the 2013 Dodge Dart has been designed for smooth airflow around, above and below the car without compromising styling or engine cooling requirements. In addition, a lower radiator close-out panel is positioned below the front fascia. This not only contributes to the Dart’s lower front-end appearance, but also reduces drag while still allowing for an 8-inch curb clearance.
Dodge designers made attention to detail and precision craftsmanship a priority, and it is noticeable from every angle. Standard laser-braised roof welds, high-quality metal Daylight Opening (DLO) moldings painted piano black and standard projector headlamps are just a few examples of well-crafted features typically found on much more expensive classes of vehicles.
Tasteful, detailed accents add to the design of the Dodge Dart. Style lines on the hood lead the eye to the floating crosshair grille, while chrome accent spears below the projector headlamps and inboard of available projector fog lamps highlight the attention to detail.
The result is a compact sedan that blends exceptional proportions, “aero-dramatic” surfacing, world-class craftsmanship, modern technology, an exceptionally quiet cabin and an upscale feel in a package that is undeniably a Dodge.
Interior
Dodge designers focused on creating a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, exciting bursts of color and hand-sculpted shapes when designing the Dart’s interior, which is crafted with materials and technology typically found in more expensive vehicle segments. Starting with modern Dodge DNA and through the use of innovative ambient interior lighting, high-quality soft-touch materials and high-tech features, the 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with cool amenities and unexpected delights for both drivers and passengers.
The Dart’s “driver-centric” layout is designed to put all controls within easy reach of the driver. Customizable displays and comfort-tuned seats are packaged in an exceptionally spacious, pleasing interior. Packaged in the footprint of a compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart features the interior spaciousness of a mid-size sedan, and it boasts best-in-class hip and shoulder room.
“The all-new Dodge Dart is the showpiece for Dodge’s next generation philosophy of interior design,” said Klaus Busse, Head of Interior Design — Chrysler Group LLC. “The Dart interior takes the beautiful, precision-crafted interiors we rolled out last year and adds a little bit of fun with surprises of color, eye-catching ambient lighting and some really cool technology.”
Customization was key in the all-new Dodge Dart’s development, and with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, seven wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions, each Dodge Dart can be personalized by every buyer to fit their individual style. And the combinations are multiplied exponentially, as Mopar® also will offer more than 150 customization options and themed packages specifically developed for the Dart.
The high-tech centerpiece of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is the class-exclusive floating island bezel, which houses the segment-exclusive available 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround that also houses the available class-exclusive Uconnect® Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen Media Center – the largest touchscreen in its class.
Thoughtful storage options throughout fit today’s technology. The glove box easily conceals a stowed iPad; the center console features auxiliary jacks to plug in a wide variety of electronic devices, and thoughtful, inventive storage solutions, such as center console side pockets, are perfect for storing mobile phones, receipts, or pens and paper.
Lighting in all the right places provides drivers and passengers a warm, comfortable cockpit. Available “racetrack” lighting surrounds the floating island bezel. Ambient lighting for the door handles, map pockets, foot wells, glove box, storage bin and illuminated cup holders is both useful and provides a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle.
Three sophisticated, fuel-efficient and powerful engines
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be powered by three fuel-efficient, powerful, state-of-the-art four-cylinder engines that add to Dart’s fun-to-drive quotient.
Drivers can select from a new 160 horsepower Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 160 horsepower 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir® Intercooled Turbo engine and a new 184 horsepower Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine. These three engines, combined with three transmission choices — six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or six-speed dual dry clutch (DDCT) transmission — redefine performance by providing the most diverse powertrain lineup in its class.
MultiAir technology delivers optimum combustion at any speed under all driving conditions by allowing direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion. The result is up to a 15 percent increase in low engine rpm torque and a 7.5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
Engineered with passion
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart was developed and engineered to exceed expectations for satisfaction, quality and reliability. From the world-class aerodynamic performance, to the agile, responsive driving experience, to items seemingly mundane like segment-leading heating and cooling performance that gives drivers and passengers the right temperatures in the right locations and a whisper-quiet interior, Dodge engineers kept the customer top of mind while developing every detail of the Dart.
“The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart has been engineered with a passion that demonstrates Dodge is back in the compact car segment in a big way,” said Matt Liddane, Vehicle Line Executive — Chrysler Group LLC. “The Dart is well-crafted, agile, powered by world-class, fuel-efficient powertrains, loaded with high-tech features that are both clever and useful, and it’s fun to drive.”
Alfa Romeo DNA
The Dodge brand’s re-entry into the U.S. compact sedan segment is based off of the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is renowned for satisfying the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding agility and safety, with exceptional driving dynamics. The Giulietta platform was lengthened and widened, creating a spacious compact sedan that meets the wants and needs of North American consumers.
The proven modular architecture allows multiple models to be built using the same basic underpinnings, resulting in improvements in quality and reliability, as well as reducing cost, development timing and tooling. The body structure of the Dart is comprised of 68 percent high-strength steel – hot stamped, high-strength and ultra-high-strength – resulting in an architecture that is lightweight, modern and solid.
The 2013 Dodge Dart features the proven, lightweight MacPherson strut front suspension, specifically tuned to minimize camber loss, resulting in more responsive steering and handling characteristics, improved ride quality and a reduction in road noise – all qualities drivers will appreciate.
A bi-link independent rear suspension enables European handling capability for those drivers who love to lean into corners and the smooth ride North American drivers covet.
World-class aerodynamics
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart compact sedan was designed and engineered for world-class aerodynamic performance. With more than 600 hours in the wind tunnel during the Dart’s development and using technology typically found on more expensive vehicles, Dodge engineers and designers looked at every aspect from the ground up to optimize the aerodynamic performance of the Dart.
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is the first Dodge vehicle to use an active grille shutter system. The system automatically stops airflow through the lower intake at highway speeds when less engine cooling is required and aerodynamic drag is most significant. When closed, the shutter system enhances aerodynamic performance by redirecting airflow around the front of the vehicle and down the sides, rather than through it. The active grille shutter system will open or close automatically based upon engine coolant temperature and vehicle speed.
Underbody panels run stem to stern on the Dodge Dart, covering the majority of the lower vehicle from the front fascia to the rear fascia. Constructed of mold-in-color (MIC) black composite, the panels both enhance the aerodynamic performance and also block road noise.
Tire spats located forward of the front and rear tires were engineered to function as mini air dams and were optimized for shape and ground clearance, adding to the underbody efficiency in conjunction with the underbody panels.
In the design and engineering of the 2013 Dodge Dart, no aerodynamic detail was too small. Mirror design, the notch angle at the top of the header of the backlight to the trailing edge of the decklid and even the tail lamp applique shape and rear corners were all designed and engineered for optimal aero performance. An integrated decklid spoiler incorporates a trailing edge shape for cleaner airflow separation in the rear portion of the vehicle, which optimizes the air wake.
Class-leading Safety Features
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart was engineered with 60 safety and security features to ensure driver’s and passengers’ peace of mind when traveling. The Dodge Dart starts with a strong foundation, a body that has a high-strength steel content of 68 percent, one of the highest in the industry, and then adds both active and passive safety features. Driver and passenger safety features include 10 standard airbags, which is unsurpassed in the segment and include: dual-stage adaptive venting front driver and passenger air bags, front-seat-mounted driver and passenger pelvic and thorax air bags, two rear-seat-mounted pelvic air bags, front driver and passenger knee air bags and all-row side-curtain air bags. The Dart also features a reactive head-restraint system; available Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection, three-point safety belts in all five seating positions; front driver and passenger dual seat belt pretensioners at the anchor and retractor positions and active load limiters. These features and more all work to protect passengers in the event of a crash. All three rear seat positions feature Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH).
Additional standard safety features on the 2013 Dodge Dart include:
Four-wheel, four-channel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and traction control system on all models
- Brake Assist
- Brake-lock differential
- Ready Alert Braking
- Rainy Brake Support
- Hydraulic boost compensation
- Electronic stability control (four-channel active handling system ESC)
- Electronic Roll Mitigation
- Hill-start Assist
- Trailer-sway Control
- ParkView® rear backup camera
- ParkSense® rear park assist
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart sports segment-leading technology and not-seen-in-the-segment features, enchanting and delighting drivers and passengers alike. Examples include the segment-exclusive floating island bezel, 8.4-inch Uconnect Touch Media Center, 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable instrument cluster display and upscale ambient lighting.
The 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with technology that improves driver and passenger comfort, as well as the performance of the car.
Customizable for the driver’s own style
The 2013 Dodge Dart will be available in five trim levels: SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T. Each trim level has a style and value that will appeal to the diverse customer base interested in a compact sedan.
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart will feature 12 exterior colors: 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.
The Dart offers customers the choice of 14 interior color and trim combinations with seven interior color environments in cloth or leather fabric: Black denim, Black/Light Diesel Grey, Black/Light Frost Beige, Black/Ruby Red, Diesel Grey/Citrus Peel, Diesel Grey/Light Diesel Grey and Ceramic White/Light Diesel Grey.
In addition to the exterior color and interior trim options, the 2013 Dodge Dart offers seven wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions, as well as a slew of available exceptional or segment-leading features, including:
- World-class aerodynamics
- Class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust
- Class-exclusive “racetrack” LED taillamps
- Class-exclusive choice of either Hyper Black or polished wheels
- Class-exclusive 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect Touch Media Center with built-in radio, navigation, iPod control, climate controls, voice-activated blue tooth, SiriusXM Travel Link, weather updates and points of interest
- Class-exclusive 7-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster display that is easily customizable to the driver’s taste. Choices include: digital and analog gauges, navigation turn-by-turn display, eco-meter, fuel economy, audio, phone, compass and temperature read outs
- Class-exclusive floating island bezel
- Class-exclusive heated steering wheel
- Class-exclusive in-seat storage
- Available 506-watt sound system
- Keyless Enter ’n Go with push-button start
- High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps
- Dual-zone automatic temperature control with humidity sensor
- Unsurpassed 10 standard airbags
- ParkView® rear backup camera
- Blind-spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Path Detection
- Best-in-class hip room and shoulder room
- The most diverse lineup of gasoline powertrains in the segment – three new engines and three transmissions:
- New Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates an estimated 160 horsepower with the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission
- The technologically advanced Fiat 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo producing an estimated 160 horsepower and an impressive 184 lb.-ft. of torque mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DDCT transmission
- New powerful 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine that produces an estimated 184 horsepower with the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission
2013 Dodge Dart
The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart will compete in the compact sedan segment, one of the largest segments in the automotive industry. The Dart is well-crafted and built with the features, technology and style today’s compact car customers desire, positioning the Dart as a groundbreaking new car.
Dodge expects the Dart to appeal to a wide ranging group of new car buyers, from millenials to empty nesters. The millennial customer is a young professional most likely purchasing their first new car. They desire a car that is truly an expression of themselves, a car they can personalize and call their own. The millennial customer is connected with their friends, enjoys having a great time and is never without their phone. They grew up with technology and they indulge in the latest high-tech features.
The empty-nester customer is in the process of redefining their lifestyle, and they have more time for themselves than in their recent past. This customer typically knows what they like and purchases things and participates in activities that make them happy. The empty-nester appreciates what they have, leads an active lifestyle and is always up for a challenge. This customer knows a little bit about a lot of things and is interested in not only the way things work, but why. The empty-nester appreciates a good value, but doesn’t want to sacrifice the level of quality and amenities they have worked hard to attain.
The all-new Dodge Dart has been engineered with great levels of refinement, craftsmanship and engaging driving dynamics. Consumers can get more information at www.dodge.com/en/2013/dart/.
About the Dodge Brand
For nearly 100 years, Dodge has defined passionate and innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and in style. Building upon its rich heritage of muscle cars, racing technology and ingenious engineering, Dodge offers a full-line of cars, crossovers, minivans and SUVs built for top performance – from power off the line and handling in the corners, to high-quality vehicles that deliver unmatched versatility and excellent fuel efficiency. Only Dodge offers such innovative functionality combined with class-leading performance, exceptional value and distinctive design. With the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart, the all-new Dodge Charger paired with the ZF eight-speed transmission that achieves a class-leading 31 miles per gallon on the highway, the new Durango and the significantly revamped Grand Caravan – inventor of the minivan – Journey, Avenger and iconic Challenger, Dodge now has one of the youngest dealer showrooms in the United States.
Release:
All-new 2013 Dodge Dart Interior Sets New Standard for Compact Cars
A Modern Blend of Precision Craftsmanship, State-of-the-art
Technology and Safety, Exciting Bursts of Color and Hand-sculpted Shapes
Create a Highly Customizable Interior
- New Dodge Dart built with materials and precision craftsmanship typically found in more expensive vehicle segments
- Customization is key – Dodge offers thousands of ways to personalize the Dart
- Available high-tech features include class-exclusive
customizable 7-inch gauge cluster, 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen,
heated steering wheel and illuminated floating island bezel
- Class-Leading Safety – Dodge Dart’s 10 standard airbags are unsurpassed in the compact car segment
The Dodge brand is giving a sneak peek into the high-tech, precisely
crafted and highly customizable interior of its all-new 2013 Dodge Dart.
Scheduled to be introduced Jan. 9 at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, the new Dodge Dart’s interior sets a new standard
for compact cars. Setting a New Standard – Quality & Spaciousness
Dodge designers focused on creating a modern blend of precision craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, exciting bursts of color and hand-sculpted shapes when designing the Dart’s interior, which is made with materials and technology typically found in more expensive vehicle segments. Starting with modern Dodge DNA and through the use of innovative ambient interior lighting, high-quality soft-touch materials and high-tech features, the 2013 Dodge Dart is loaded with cool amenities and unexpected delights for both drivers and passengers.
The Dart’s “driver-centric” layout is designed to put all controls within easy reach of the driver. Customizable displays and comfort-tuned seats are packaged in an exceptionally spacious, pleasing interior. Packaged in the footprint of a compact car, the 2013 Dodge Dart features the interior spaciousness of a mid-sized sedan, and it boasts best-in-class hip and shoulder room.
Unmatched Customization
Customization was key in the all-new Dodge Dart’s development, and with 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions, each Dodge Dart can be personalized by every buyer to fit their individual style. And the combinations are multiplied exponentially, as Mopar will also offer hundreds of customization options and themed packages specifically developed for the Dart.
Class-leading Technology
The high-tech centerpiece of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is the class-exclusive floating island bezel, which houses the segment-exclusive available 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) customizable gauge cluster display with light pipe surround that also houses the available class-exclusive UConnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen multimedia center -- the largest touch-screen in its class.
Thoughtful storage options throughout fit today’s technology. The glove box easily conceals a stowed iPad; the center console features auxiliary jacks to plug in a wide variety of electronic devices, and thoughtful, inventive storage solutions, such as console map pockets, which are perfect for storing mobile phones, receipts, or pen and paper.
Lighting in all the right places provides drivers and passengers a warm, comfortable cockpit. Available “racetrack” lighting surrounds the floating island bezel. Ambient lighting for the door handles, map pockets, foot wells, glove box, storage bin and illuminated cup holders is both useful and provides a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle.
Unmatched Safety
Safety was also at the forefront in the development of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart. Built on a strong foundation, constructed with 68 percent high-strength steel, engineers added both active and passive safety features, including 10 standard airbags, which is unsurpassed in the segment. The 2013 Dodge Dart is also the only car in its class to offer blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection.
The all-new Dodge Dart has been engineered with great levels of refinement, craftsmanship and engaging driving dynamics. Consumers can follow www.Dodge.com/Dart for additional photos and more information about the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart.
Release:
Mopar® to Offer More Than 150 Accessories and Performance Parts for All-new 2013 Dodge Dart
Most Offered in Compact-car Segment:
- Industry-first wireless charging
- Industry-first Wi-Fi
- Industry-first Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS)
- Complete list of accessories at http://www.mopar.com
When the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart arrives in showrooms later this year,
consumers will have a full menu of more than 150 Mopar® accessories and
performance parts from which to choose. “By itself, our new Dodge Dart will stand out in the compact-car crowd,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “But for those who want even more customization and personalization, Mopar is offering more than 150 quality-tested accessories and performance parts.”
Following is a select list of Mopar accessories and performance parts for the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart:
Performance Styled Hood: Carbon fiber scooped hood, designed to give the vehicle an aggressive and sporty appearance.
Performance Braking Upgrade: Upgraded calipers, rotors and performance pads provide increased braking power.
Unique Grille: Chrome aluminum, replaces production grille below the bumper to provide a unique appearance.
Grille Cross-hatch Insert: Carbon fiber-style finish, attaches to Dodge cross hatch over grille area, perfect for enhancing the “tuner” image.
18-inch Wheels: Unique Mopar design, polished spokes and black-painted pockets.
Rear-air Diffuser: Matte Black, attaches to rear fascia to provide a unique look to the rear of the vehicle. Designed to coordinate with Chin Spoiler.
Front Fascia Appliqué: Chrome-plated appliqué slides over front/center bumper area to provide a bright front-end appearance.
Front Chin Spoiler: Matte Black, attaches to front fascia to give more aggressive look to the front end.
Side Sills: Matte Black, attaches to side rocker panels to provide a sportier appearance. Designed to coordinate with Front Chin Spoiler and Rear-air Diffuser to provide a unique appearance.
Rear Deck Lid Spoiler: Matte Black, attaches to rear deck lid for a sporty appearance.
Chrome Fuel Door: Made of chrome aluminum, replaces production fuel door. Coordinates with Chrome Mirror Covers and stainless steel B-pillar appliqué.
Chrome Mirror Cover: Chrome-plated, replaces production mirror cover.
B-Pillar Appliqué: Polished stainless steel, attaches to b-pillar area to enhance appearance.
Pedal Kit: Bright finish, attaches to gas and brake pedals to enhance driver’s foot well appearance.
Industry-first Wireless Charging: With a higher demand on power from phones and other battery-powered devices, this new wireless charging system allows driver to set electronic devices in a specified charging zone and charge without wires. This is accomplished by creating a virtually invisible charging zone in the vehicle instrument panel or center stack. Energy is then transferred from the charging pad to the device battery, utilizing a compatible device-specific case.
Industry-first Wi-Fi: Allows owners to utilize electronic devices as far as 150 feet from the vehicle. Each passenger may separately access the Web on the go. In-vehicle router receives 3G broadband Internet, allowing access to social media, maps, e-mail, online games, music and more. Works with Wi-Fi enabled device. Subscription required and sold separately.
Industry-first Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): Mopar’s system is powered by Guidepoint Systems, the leader in GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle recovery systems. Unlike other vehicle-tracking systems, the Mopar EVTS offers nationwide tracking without a subscription.
Mopar-First Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:
- Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
- Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
- Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
- Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
- 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car
- Camper trailers: first to introduce off-road camper trailers
- WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes 280,000 parts and accessories. With the creation of the Chrysler Group and Fiat S.p.A. partnership, Mopar is extending its global reach, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Combined with Fiat S.p.A., Mopar’s global portfolio includes more than 500,000 parts and accessories which are distributed in more than 120 countries. Mopar is the source for all genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group and Fiat S.p.A. brands.
Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and Fiat S.p.A. vehicles — a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at http://www.mopar.com.
75 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
Release:
Dodge Spends Quality Time Developing First Vehicle of Italian-American Partnership
- 2013 Dodge Dart gets earlier start on new quality processes previously introduced with award-winning Dodge Durango
- Dart expands on performance quality attributes of its Italian cousin, Alfa Romeo Giulietta
- Dodge tested the Dart for more than 8.5 million miles
- Belvidere (Ill.)Assembly Plant adds $20 million in new facilities and equipment to enhance quality
s the first vehicle to evolve from Chrysler Group’s alliance with
Fiat, the Dodge Dart builds off Alfa Romeo’s performance virtues and
Dodge’s increasingly zealous attention to quality.
“This is a crucial vehicle launch for the company as we re-enter the compact sedan market, and everyone is committed to launching a high-quality product,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’ve invested $20 million in new quality tools and processes at the Belvidere Assembly Plant to achieve the strict quality targets we set for Dodge Dart.”
“We learned a lot as we launched 16 updated vehicles and introduced many new quality processes for the 2011 model year,” Betts said. “We’re applying the lessons from all the 2011 launches to the Dodge Dart’s development right at the beginning of the program.”
For example, the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which builds the Dodge Durango and Jeep® Grand Cherokee, was the first Chrysler Group assembly plant to install a dedicated Metrology Center to house state-of-the-art quality tools. JNAP’s Metrology Center started operations just prior to Job 1 and helped establish a new standard for fit-and-finish for Dodge vehicles, and propel the all-new Dodge Durango to the top of influential quality surveys in its launch year.
However, the Metrology Center at the Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant got an earlier start and provided valuable feedback to suppliers on pre-production components before the first Dart prototype was built. The Metrology Center allows engineers to find the sources of build variation – even when components appear perfect to the naked eye – and resolve any fit and finish issues before customer vehicles are built.
Dodge expands, literally, on the virtues of its Italian cousin
While the Dodge Dart is an all-new vehicle, its underpinnings evolved from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, an upscale Italian hatchback known in its home market for dynamic, road-gripping performance.
For the Dart’s early development work before prototypes were built, Dodge engineers literally cut a Giulietta in half, widened it and welded the body to match Dart’s dimensions to create several engineering mule vehicles for testing. The Giulietta mules disguised the Dart’s hardware and helped the engineering teams test the durability of suspension components and evaluate vehicle dynamics and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
“We’re starting with a great architecture that helps us achieve our strict performance quality standards that will make the Dart very competitive in the North America compact sedan segment,” Betts said.
As Chrysler Group defines it, performance quality measures how well a vehicle matches customer priorities and stacks up against its competition. Criteria such as acceleration, braking, handling, seat comfort, quietness, storage space and fuel economy are among the hundreds of attributes Dodge engineers compare versus competitive cars.
Refinement you can see, touch and hear
Knowing that many car buyers make judgments about a vehicle’s quality the first time they see it, the company’s Perceived Quality (PQ) team set the bar high so that the Dart would fare well under the scrutiny of the most discerning car shoppers.
The PQ team works with designers, engineers and suppliers to enhance the fit-and-finish, surface quality, material options and even the sound quality of moveable parts like doors and storage bins. The Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle program that used PQ best practices from the start of development.
Although the Dart will compete in the heart of the compact sedan segment, the PQ team benchmarked more expensive European sedans with the goal that the Dart will look and feel comparable to an entry luxury sedan under close inspection.
Taking the high road, the low road . . . and lots of really rough roads
Dodge is testing the Dart day and night, on all kinds of road surfaces, at high and low altitudes and through blizzard conditions, as well as dry, desert heat. All that testing adds up to more than 8.5 million reliability validation miles.
Some of the most punishing tests take place inside the Chrysler Technology Center on the Road Test Simulator (RTS). It recreates the abuse vehicles endure at the hands of a 95th percentile customer - meaning a customer who drives the vehicle in more severe conditions than 95 percent of all owners. The RTS replicates a wide range of on-road and off-road driving surfaces and puts a lifetime of wear-and-tear on a vehicle in one month’s time.
Dodge also evaluates vehicles under more typical customer scenarios. More than 100 Dart vehicles are tested daily for about 3 months until each vehicle reaches 36,000 miles. To reflect typical daily driving scenarios, these test drivers do not originate from the engineering ranks and are intentionally chosen from diverse backgrounds to represent customers of different ages, sizes and ethnicities. The test drivers also scrutinize all the customer functional aspects of each vehicle, every day of testing. This includes functions as simple as seat belt buckling, heating and ventilation operation and opening and closing storage compartments and windows. Seven different test protocols are used to better simulate random customer use and prevent test drivers from becoming desensitized to expected outcomes. The Dodge Dart quality team reviews the test drive data daily to find and fix any issues that arise.
The Uconnect® Touch Media Center also gets a thorough test drive as testers work through a 12-page checklist to test the functionality and reliability of the system as well as how compatible it is with a wide variety of mobile phones, music players and other media devices.
Building quality into each Dodge Dart
Chrysler Group’s manufacturing plants have integrated Fiat’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles that involve all employees in the manufacturing process for continuous process and quality improvements.
The Belvidere Assembly Plant, where Dart is assembled, has invested in new technology and processes to improve the quality of its vehicles. In addition to the new Metrology Center, the plant also built a new Center for Technical Vehicle Validation (CTVV) and Materials Laboratory – the first such quality center in a U.S. Chrysler Group plant.
The CTVV will randomly audit newly built vehicles and measure 437 functional characteristics, including emissions, fit-and-finish, heating and air conditioning performance and ride height. The Materials Laboratory, staffed with an on-site chemist, and the CTVV allow the plant to identify and troubleshoot emerging issues onsite, with fewer delays from sending parts to Auburn Hills or supplier locations for analysis.
“We obsessed over the quality and refinement of the Dodge Dart as it was developed, tested and built,” Betts said. “As a company, we’ve really overhauled our processes and expectations for building quality vehicles and doing whatever it takes to satisfy customers.”
“This is a crucial vehicle launch for the company as we re-enter the compact sedan market, and everyone is committed to launching a high-quality product,” said Doug Betts, Senior Vice President – Quality, Chrysler Group LLC. “We’ve invested $20 million in new quality tools and processes at the Belvidere Assembly Plant to achieve the strict quality targets we set for Dodge Dart.”
“We learned a lot as we launched 16 updated vehicles and introduced many new quality processes for the 2011 model year,” Betts said. “We’re applying the lessons from all the 2011 launches to the Dodge Dart’s development right at the beginning of the program.”
For example, the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which builds the Dodge Durango and Jeep® Grand Cherokee, was the first Chrysler Group assembly plant to install a dedicated Metrology Center to house state-of-the-art quality tools. JNAP’s Metrology Center started operations just prior to Job 1 and helped establish a new standard for fit-and-finish for Dodge vehicles, and propel the all-new Dodge Durango to the top of influential quality surveys in its launch year.
However, the Metrology Center at the Belvidere (Ill.) Assembly Plant got an earlier start and provided valuable feedback to suppliers on pre-production components before the first Dart prototype was built. The Metrology Center allows engineers to find the sources of build variation – even when components appear perfect to the naked eye – and resolve any fit and finish issues before customer vehicles are built.
Dodge expands, literally, on the virtues of its Italian cousin
While the Dodge Dart is an all-new vehicle, its underpinnings evolved from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, an upscale Italian hatchback known in its home market for dynamic, road-gripping performance.
For the Dart’s early development work before prototypes were built, Dodge engineers literally cut a Giulietta in half, widened it and welded the body to match Dart’s dimensions to create several engineering mule vehicles for testing. The Giulietta mules disguised the Dart’s hardware and helped the engineering teams test the durability of suspension components and evaluate vehicle dynamics and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
“We’re starting with a great architecture that helps us achieve our strict performance quality standards that will make the Dart very competitive in the North America compact sedan segment,” Betts said.
As Chrysler Group defines it, performance quality measures how well a vehicle matches customer priorities and stacks up against its competition. Criteria such as acceleration, braking, handling, seat comfort, quietness, storage space and fuel economy are among the hundreds of attributes Dodge engineers compare versus competitive cars.
Refinement you can see, touch and hear
Knowing that many car buyers make judgments about a vehicle’s quality the first time they see it, the company’s Perceived Quality (PQ) team set the bar high so that the Dart would fare well under the scrutiny of the most discerning car shoppers.
The PQ team works with designers, engineers and suppliers to enhance the fit-and-finish, surface quality, material options and even the sound quality of moveable parts like doors and storage bins. The Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle program that used PQ best practices from the start of development.
Although the Dart will compete in the heart of the compact sedan segment, the PQ team benchmarked more expensive European sedans with the goal that the Dart will look and feel comparable to an entry luxury sedan under close inspection.
Taking the high road, the low road . . . and lots of really rough roads
Dodge is testing the Dart day and night, on all kinds of road surfaces, at high and low altitudes and through blizzard conditions, as well as dry, desert heat. All that testing adds up to more than 8.5 million reliability validation miles.
Some of the most punishing tests take place inside the Chrysler Technology Center on the Road Test Simulator (RTS). It recreates the abuse vehicles endure at the hands of a 95th percentile customer - meaning a customer who drives the vehicle in more severe conditions than 95 percent of all owners. The RTS replicates a wide range of on-road and off-road driving surfaces and puts a lifetime of wear-and-tear on a vehicle in one month’s time.
Dodge also evaluates vehicles under more typical customer scenarios. More than 100 Dart vehicles are tested daily for about 3 months until each vehicle reaches 36,000 miles. To reflect typical daily driving scenarios, these test drivers do not originate from the engineering ranks and are intentionally chosen from diverse backgrounds to represent customers of different ages, sizes and ethnicities. The test drivers also scrutinize all the customer functional aspects of each vehicle, every day of testing. This includes functions as simple as seat belt buckling, heating and ventilation operation and opening and closing storage compartments and windows. Seven different test protocols are used to better simulate random customer use and prevent test drivers from becoming desensitized to expected outcomes. The Dodge Dart quality team reviews the test drive data daily to find and fix any issues that arise.
The Uconnect® Touch Media Center also gets a thorough test drive as testers work through a 12-page checklist to test the functionality and reliability of the system as well as how compatible it is with a wide variety of mobile phones, music players and other media devices.
Building quality into each Dodge Dart
Chrysler Group’s manufacturing plants have integrated Fiat’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles that involve all employees in the manufacturing process for continuous process and quality improvements.
The Belvidere Assembly Plant, where Dart is assembled, has invested in new technology and processes to improve the quality of its vehicles. In addition to the new Metrology Center, the plant also built a new Center for Technical Vehicle Validation (CTVV) and Materials Laboratory – the first such quality center in a U.S. Chrysler Group plant.
The CTVV will randomly audit newly built vehicles and measure 437 functional characteristics, including emissions, fit-and-finish, heating and air conditioning performance and ride height. The Materials Laboratory, staffed with an on-site chemist, and the CTVV allow the plant to identify and troubleshoot emerging issues onsite, with fewer delays from sending parts to Auburn Hills or supplier locations for analysis.
“We obsessed over the quality and refinement of the Dodge Dart as it was developed, tested and built,” Betts said. “As a company, we’ve really overhauled our processes and expectations for building quality vehicles and doing whatever it takes to satisfy customers.”
