Dodge Makes the 2.4L GT Engine Standard on More Dart Trimlines for 2014

The Chrysler Group made a surprising announcement earlier this week, making the 2.4L Tigershark engine that is currently only offered in the Dodge Dart GT that standard engine for the lower priced Dart SXT and Limited trimlines in addition to the performance minded GT package.  The 2.0L Tigershark engine remains the standard engine for the entry level Dart SE while the 1.4L turbocharged engine remains the standard engine for the Dart Aero.  Even more surprisingly is that none of the 2014 Dodge Dart trimlines come with any optional engines so those engines mentioned above are the only available engines for those trimlines.

This comes as a confusing move as the 2.4L Tigershark engine is the most powerful in the modern Dodge Dart lineup, which is why it was previously reserved for the performance minded Dart GT.  With 184 horsepower and 171lb-ft of torque, the 2.4L mill provides considerably more power than the 1.4L Fiat turbo motor that has been the most popular engine choice for the 2013 Dart in the SXT, Rallye and Limited trimlines.  This means that the 2014 Dart in those mid and premium trimlines will have an advantage in power over the rest of the cars in the segment but it does so at the cost of fuel economy.

The 2.4L Tigershark engine offers only 23 miles per gallon around town and 33mpg on the open road while the Dodge Dart with the 1.4L turbo motor is able to hit 40 miles per gallon on the highway in non-Aero models and 41mpg in the continuing Aero package.  Mind you, the folks who are concerned with fuel economy can still opt for the Aero package with the turbo motor but for most of the buyers who take home a 2014 Dart in the SXT, Limited or GT trimlines – they will come with a bunch more power and lesser fuel economy figures.

Having had the pleasure of every 2013 Dodge Dart trimline including the Mopar 13 and the new Dart GT, I am pretty surprised to hear that the 2014 lineup will rely so heavily on the 2.4L engine.  The 2.4L mill provides an awesome driving experience for the Dart GT but with the Dart SXT and Limited accounting for the vast majority of units sold in 2013, the company has effectively made their most popular trimlines less efficient than the outgoing models.  The 1.4L turbo engine can be a bit laggy but it has great torque and even greater fuel economy capabilities so it seemed like a natural choice for the volume models.  I mean, if you can offer an engine that is the most efficient in the lineup AND a bunch of fun to drive – why not go with it?

In any case, the Chrysler Group is showing that they are more concerned with power in the 2014 Dodge Dart than they are fuel economy and for those consumers who insist on getting 40+ miles per gallon, the Aero package will still come with the most efficient engine available.

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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