The early release pics look pretty good. Mini Charger-esk. Just a bit surprised as I dont really remember the Dart being very exciting. Like Ford bring back the Pinto name. It's the replacement for the Caliber.
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avengador1 Member
Posts: 35467 From: Orlando, Florida Registered: Oct 2001
My father had a '69 Dodge Dart GTS back in the early seventies. It had a 318 V8, bucket seats, custom dual carb intake, 4 with speed Hurst shifter kit, was lowered a had a straight exhaust system. It was pretty bad ass back then. The 318-ci V8 was rated at 230 horsepower and 340 ft.-lbs. torque stock. My father's car wasn't stock. I got to drive it a few times around the block when I was "putting it in the garage". I would put it in first, rev the engine up to about 1500 rpms and it could smoke the tires all day long when I popped the clucth. The regular Darts were a pretty tame car and had a bulletproof slant six in them.
[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 12-07-2011).]
Based off the Alfa and is to get 40mpg with a 9spd auto. Automotive News reports that the key to the Dodge Dart’s 40 mpg highway rating will be its Fiat-derived six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, bolted to a choice of three fuel efficient inline-fours. As we previously reported, the three engine choices are a 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter “Tigershark” I-4, and a turbocharged 1.4-liter “Fire” I-4 that see’s duty in the pint-sized Fiat 500 Abarth.
IMHO that ^^^^^ is UUUUUGgly The Dart Demon 340 V8 would get your attention. Early Darts were a little blah-Zea. But they were developed into smaller muscle cars toward the end of production.
Based off the Alfa and is to get 40mpg with a 9spd auto. Automotive News reports that the key to the Dodge Dart’s 40 mpg highway rating will be its Fiat-derived six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, bolted to a choice of three fuel efficient inline-fours. As we previously reported, the three engine choices are a 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter “Tigershark” I-4, and a turbocharged 1.4-liter “Fire” I-4 that see’s duty in the pint-sized Fiat 500 Abarth.
Bringing back the Dart? That news just sent Christina Applegate into rehab. 1974 Dodge Dart--The Bundy Mobile--Al Bundy's "The Mighty Dodge" in Married with Children--but even tho they proclaimed it to be a Dart in several episodes, in reality, the show had to use a '72 Plymouth Duster, because (alledgedly) no relaibly running Dodge Dart could be easily found.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-07-2011).]
I'm not trying to sound negative here, but they are basing it off a car known for breaking down?
Brad
Based off the Alfa BUT they will be using the engines out of the FIAT 500. I just browsed through a fiat 500 forum and in a 5min search it seems people are really pleased with their engines.
To me, it's like Ford saying they're gonna bring back the Maverick.
Cool?
Oh heck yeah!! The only vehicle I ever saw that could turn to rust----in the sun belt. (I had one--Grabber paint with a 302 in it.) No matter- it was still a Maverick.
Could be. They have a bit of a cult following. Kind of like those little mid engine GM firetraps.
The new Dart will be nothing like the old one, but I'm betting it will be a decent car. I hope that Dodge sells a sh!t ton of them.
I'm sure it will be, too. Probably won't be unattractive, either. Dodge has a way of turning "normal" cars into "cool" cars, kinda like Pontiac used to do before the later 90's and on.
whats with chrysler coming out with these high numbered transmissions? they have an 8 speed already that i forgot what its in but it only get 31 mpg...i mean come on the fiero had a 4 speed that got 40 mpg...really.....REALLY?
[This message has been edited by Niterrorz (edited 12-08-2011).]
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TheRealShadowX Member
Posts: 1456 From: Milwaukee Wisconsin USA Registered: Mar 2010
whats with chrysler coming out with these high numbered transmissions? they have an 8 speed already that i forgot what its in but it only get 31 mpg...i mean come on the fiero had a 4 speed that got 40 mpg...really.....REALLY?
Yeah, but aren't they getting those mpg's from a much bigger, more powerful engine than our little 95hp 2.5's? I think that many gears is ridiculous but there seems to be something to this.
ya but my dad was getting 30 mpg from his cadi 4.9....before i frankenstiened it into my fiero MUAHAHAH!!! but no seriously he was getting around 30 mpg he drove like an old person that drives slow and has helium in thier foot.
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2.5 Member
Posts: 43225 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
In an odd way, I think it is cool. Why? I remember when I was very young my grandmother had a 76 Dodge Dart Swinger 2 door, maroon in color with a white vinyl top. I thought it was a cool car. She eventually had to get rid of it in the very early 90's because the frame cracked on it. I know the car itself is nothing special, but it brings back a lot of good memories.
I do not have a digital picture of it, but found a similar car...
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WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
I'm not trying to sound negative here, but they are basing it off a car known for breaking down?
Brad
You don't "sound" negative, but you do appear to be massively uninformed. The Alfa Giulietta is an award winning car in Europe. I am interested in seeing your evidence that it is a car "known for breaking down". Like a Fiero is "known for catching on fire".
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WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
In an odd way, I think it is cool. Why? I remember when I was very young my grandmother had a 76 Dodge Dart Swinger 2 door, maroon in color with a white vinyl top. I thought it was a cool car. She eventually had to get rid of it in the very early 90's because the frame cracked on it. I know the car itself is nothing special, but it brings back a lot of good memories.
I do not have a digital picture of it, but found a similar car...
Grandma couldn't have had a 76 Swinger. They stopped making Swingers in 1975...
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11:16 AM
WhiteDevil88 Member
Posts: 8518 From: Coastal California Registered: Mar 2007
IMHO that ^^^^^ is UUUUUGgly The Dart Demon 340 V8 would get your attention. Early Darts were a little blah-Zea. But they were developed into smaller muscle cars toward the end of production.
The Dart Swinger 340 was total baddazz. It was what was then a compact car. Coronet was the mid size. Big Mopars were the Fury, Polara, New Yorker, 300. Many a fast Mustang and Camaro had there clocks cleaned by the 340. 340s were in the same class as Boss Mustangs and Z28s.
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rstubie Member
Posts: 421 From: Toledo,Ohio,USA Registered: Aug 2006
I had neighbor with a Dart when I was a child. Seemed just so blah. However had the neighbor across the street that owned a Plymouth GTX. not sure what year his was but they only made them from 67 to 74 and his was prior to 71 cause it was the boxier looking body with the super commando 440. Now I was maybe 10 years old and the car probably as old as I was but I thought that car was so cool. I was never a big fan of the Mopar stuff but that car was pretty cool. I can still remember seeing the 150mph speedo.. Of course when your kids you think the speedo tells you how fast a car can go.
The Swinger version was just designation for the two door Dart. Which is something car companies seem to be getting away from offering their vehicles in both 2 door and 4 door versions. I think a 2 door Charger would sell.
whats with chrysler coming out with these high numbered transmissions? they have an 8 speed already that i forgot what its in but it only get 31 mpg...i mean come on the fiero had a 4 speed that got 40 mpg...really.....REALLY?
It isn't about the number of gears but the gear ratios involved. The idea with having more gears is to have the ratios spaced closer together so you can be in the appropriate power range for the situation. When you can use "enough" power to maintain momentum at all times -without going overboard- you can make a larger vehicle more efficient overall. No need to turn crazy revs, and no lugging is a good thing.
Add to that a turbocharged or direct injection system and you've got a recipe for a fun economy car. Look at what Mazda is doing with their Skyactiv models for a clue to this idea.
All that being said, I don't want a rebadged (likely front wheel drive) Alfa chassis... I want rear wheel drive. I want a Brera.
[This message has been edited by skuzzbomer (edited 12-08-2011).]
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Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
I dunno... I kinda like the look of it... let's just hope it's reliable and doesn't start to rot out right away... But of course those DST transmissions are still a little iffy... look at all the problems Ford is having with theirs in their cars....
Originally posted by rogergarrison: The Dart Swinger 340 was total baddazz. It was what was then a compact car. Coronet was the mid size. Big Mopars were the Fury, Polara, New Yorker, 300. Many a fast Mustang and Camaro had there clocks cleaned by the 340. 340s were in the same class as Boss Mustangs and Z28s.
I've owned MANY Mopars over the years.
I had a '70 340 Duster - 3 speed stick 3.91 rear gears. Many a local racer saw my tailights & gained new respect for Mopars in my neck of the woods (which is mostly GM).
I also owned 2 1971 Darts, a 1973 Plymouth Scamp, a 1973 Plymouth Valiant 4 door, & a 1974 Plymouth Duster. All were 6 cylinder except the 1974, which was a 318.
Drivetrains were all bulletproof, but don't ask about rust.
The Dodge Dart actually started out in the early 60's as a full-size car. They were at the prime of ugliness, but had some awesome drivetrains.
Got all excited!! Then, when I googled the Dart I was thinking of...it is a Daimler Dart, notorious because the Police in the UK bought 2 to patrol the newly-opened M1 Motorway. WHat an excuse Now if they brought THIS version back...I would get excited Sorry to inadvertently hijack the thread( ), but if anybody wants to read about this car, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimler_SP250 Nick
[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 12-08-2011).]
I think the smaller Dart started in 62 and was a sister to the Plymouth Valiant. The baddest Swingers in 69-70 had the bumblebee stripe with Swinger cut into it. As far as Bundy's, it didnt make much difference only thing that wasnt the same between the Duster and Dart/Demon was the grill stamping, tail lites and badges.
I got to drive it a few times around the block when I was "putting it in the garage". I would put it in first, rev the engine up to about 1500 rpms and it could smoke the tires all day long when I popped the clucth.
Got all excited!! 
