The Return of the Dodge Dart

The last time Chrysler built a Dodge Dart was for the ’76 model year, which was part of a generation that had gone on a bit too long, with the Darts of the ‘60s and ‘70s having more style and, especially in “Swinger” trim (think of the time), a little bit of sassiness.

But today Chrysler announced that, as has been the case with other names like “Charger” and “Challenger,” it is bringing back the Dodge Dart. The car will debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show on January 9, 2012.

What’s interesting about the new Dart is that it is based on a Fiat platform. The new “Compact U.S. Wide” architecture is predicated on that used for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. And the engines that will be available are a new Tigershark 2.0-liter, the renowned Fiat 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo, and a new Tigershark 2.4-liter MultiAir.

No, this is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, not the new Dodge Dart.

While Daimler may not have brought anything to the party when it owned Chrysler, Fiat is certainly putting metal in the game.

And while on the subject of metal, it should be noted that the CUSW architecture will be made up of 68% high-strength steel.

The four-door sedan has Dodge design cues including the split-crosshair grille in the front and the full-width LED racetrack headlamps—a la the Dodge Charger—in the back.

The car will be manufactured at the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois, where they are building a new 638,000-square-foot body shop and installing new machinery, tooling, and material handling equipment.

Stay tuned for more on what promises to be an important vehicle for Chrysler.