Chrysler announced earlier this week that production of the
2013 Dodge Dart sedans headed to dealerships around the world have officially
begun – with the first units expected to arrive in showrooms next month.
The first production model was a 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye,
sporting the Redline Red Pearl Coat exterior and Black with Ruby Red interior.This first production Dart was also optioned
with the 1.4L MultiAir turbo engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission – a combination
that is good for 160 horsepower, 184lb-ft of torque, 27 miles per gallon around
town and 39 miles per gallon on the open road.
This initial production Dart Rallye was also upfitted with the rear view
camera system and the power sunroof option. Like all new Dart sedans equipped with the Rallye package, this first
Dart wears the unique, aggressive body kit with a special front fascia, a black
grille surround, a set of black headlights, integrated dual exhaust and 17″
aluminum wheels.
When the 2013 Dodge Dart arrives in showrooms starting in
June, the hot new C segment sedan will be available in SE (base), SXT, Rallye
and Limited trims.All of these
trimlines come with the standard 2.0L Tigershark engine with 160hp and 148lb-ft
of torque mated to a manual or automatic transmission but starting with the Dart
SXT – buyers can opt for the more powerful and more efficient turbo 1.4L
engine.
For those who want more performance and more luxury, the
2013 Dodge Dart R/T will arrive in the third quarter of 2012 with the 2.4L
Tigershark engine packing 184 horsepower and 171lb-ft of torque – along with
just about every feature offered across the range of Dart trimlines.There will also be an Aero model that is
promising more than 41mpg but details on that model are limited to just the
fuel economy for the time being.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
Chrysler announced earlier this week that production of the