The Mopar 13 interior is teased – looking an awful lot like a Dodge Dart

In each of the past three years, Chrysler’s Mopar division has offered up limited edition Mopar-modified versions of popular Chrysler Group products beginning with the Mopar 10 Dodge Challenger in 2010. In 2011 the Dodge Charger served as the Mopar 11 while the Chrysler 300C was the base vehicle for the Mopar 12 but it looks as though the Mopar 13 will take a very different route. The Chrysler Group hasn’t stated exactly what vehicle will play host for the Mopar 13 but thanks to the single teaser image shown above – we can make some educated guesses that suggest that this is a modified Dodge Dart.

After featuring Hemi-powered models in 2010, 2011 and 2012, many believed that the Mopar 13 would be based on the Ram 1500 and after seeing the black and blue Moparized Ram at SEMA while we also wondered if it might be a Jeep Wrangler after seeing one of the popular SUVs at the Woodward Dream Cruise with a similar paint scheme to that seen on the Mopar branded vehicles. However, the seats shown in the image above show that this is not a Ram nor is it a Jeep.The next guess from many was that the Mopar 13 would be based on the Fiat 500 to further emphasize the connection between Mopar and the modern Fiat brand but again, based on the image above this does not look like the diminutive 500. Between the Mopar clad front seats we can see the back seat and it is just too far away to be the 500 and when we played with the brightness and contrast settings of this image – things come
into focus even more.

Shown above is the same picture after it has been worked over in an editing program showing more of the Mopar 13 including the center arm rest, the seat belt buckles, the cup holders and the parking brake – all of
which appear to be identical to the ones featured in the 2013 Dodge Dart. While the seats are obviously custom, the location and shape of those other features seem to be proof positive that the
Mopar 13 will be based on the sporty new Dart.

Provided that my assumption is correct, the only question relates to which drivetrain the Mopar 13 will feature.  When Mopar customized the 2010 Dodge Challenger and the 2011 Dodge Charger, they chose the 5.7L Hemi-powered R/T models while the 2012 Chrysler 300C also drew its power from the mighty Hemi.Should Mopar follow that trend, they would likely pick the Dart GT which would make the Moparized Dart the best performing package shy of the upcoming Dart SRT. This means that it would be powered by the 2.4L Tigershark engine mated to either a 6-speed dual clutch automatic or a proper 6-speed manual transmission with 184 horsepower and 174lb-ft of torque not counting any Mopar goodies that the Mopar 13 wears.The option possibility is that the Mopar 13 would be powered by the awesome 1.4L turbocharged engine that is available in the lower trimline Darts and while this motor doesn’t
have the same level of horsepower – it offers better torque and has more potential through simple modifications.

“This vehicle is the perfect canvas for personalization and customization,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “We couldn’t wait to get our hands on it and give it the Mopar treatment.”

There is arguably no vehicle sold by the Chrysler Group that has had more attention from Mopar so shortly after introduction as the 2013 Dodge Dart and Ma Mopar has shown off everything from unique body items like a sportier hood, a chin spoiler and a rear wing to things like performance goodies including new suspension components, a cold air intake, a performance exhaust package and even a high performance tuned ECU.

The 2013 Chicago Auto Show opens to the media on February 7^th so within the next few weeks we should know for sure if my hunch was right and the Mopar 13 is based on the 2013 Dodge Dart.

Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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