General 2013 Dodge Dart

[DDart1]

Hello all,

I am excitedly looking forward to the release of the new 2013 Dodge Dart, specifically the Rallye. All the dealers have been shipped one car for show, with my dealership expecting deliveries about 4-6 weeks.

Why am I bringing this up here? Because the new Dodge Dart Rallye is powered by the Fiat 1.4L turbo. It is built by Chrysler (under license?) in Michigan. My questions are simple. How reliable is this engine? Is the turbo equipped 1.4L more/less reliable than the non-turbo version? Can you tell me what kind of engine problems you've experienced, if any? What is your average in town mileage? Average highway mileage?

Thanks everyone.

 

[loveshandbags]

Hello all,

I am excitedly looking forward to the release of the new 2013 Dodge Dart, specifically the Rallye. All the dealers have been shipped one car for show, with my dealership expecting deliveries about 4-6 weeks.

Why am I bringing this up here? Because the new Dodge Dart Rallye is powered by the Fiat 1.4L turbo. It is built by Chrysler (under license?) in Michigan. My questions are simple. How reliable is this engine? Is the turbo equipped 1.4L more/less reliable than the non-turbo version? Can you tell me what kind of engine problems you've experienced, if any? What is your average in town mileage? Average highway mileage?

Thanks everyone.

Welcome to the FF DDart1.

Had a quick look at the Dodge and it looks like good value for money. Based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta with an excellent cd co-efficient at 0.285 but compared with the US A500 at 1,179 kgs it's a bit on heavy side at 1,455kgs which will blunt performance. Nice to see that the Dodge will have an all round independent suspension.

I've driven the 1.4 MA in turbo charged form in an Alfa Romeo MiTo and it's a brillant engine. Would expect that this engine will prove as reliable as the T-jet but it has a more premium Garrett turbo and a new Variable timing head but will give you more 'tuning' potential. It can easily run up to 195bhp and in the Dodge (unlike the A500) it will have a gearbox that can handle the torque increase.

In addition the 6 speed appears to be the new C635 Fiat developed gearbox which is quantum leap from the M32 Fiat/GM 'affair' but for some reason they reduced the short shift on the Dodge with a longer shift . There have been 'teething' issues with the C635 on not being able to engage first gear on the Alfa Romeo 'side' but they have been replaced under warranty. All new variants of this gearbox have the revised update so I would expect that you will have no issues with this gearbox.

The DSG version (it's called TCT here) is available on the higher powered Guilette versions at 170bhp has had no reported issues and is capable of running up to 350Nm which is the torque ouput of the 2.0 JTM (turbo diesel model).

MPG returns in European terms on the MA turbo have been disappointing but that has been down to cars been over tyred at 18 inch. Sensible wheels should easily get in the mid 30s 'around town' & in the mid to high 40s (European figures) on the open road but given the weight penalty on the Dart I'd probably knock off 5mpg => 30s & mid 40s. If you use the 'power' of the turbo charged engine it will drop into the low 20s. Emissions on this engine are low and would be deemed to be emission friendly at 139grs/km with less again on the TCT (DSG) model.

On the 'last question' of a turbo charged 1.4 being more reliable than the naturally aspirated 1.4 - the latter will be more reliable since there is less to go wrong but if I had a choice between a 1.4T and the 2.0 on offer in the Dart I would opt for the 1.4T. 1.4T has won engine of the year in 2010.

 

[stuartmunn]

Its a well proven engine now so I dont think you need to worry about it.

Remember that US gallons as smaller than imperial, so your MPG figures will be different.

All cars sold in Europe have official fueld consumption figure for "town" driving and "highway" plus a combined figure. None of these reflect reality so are best ignored,

You could goodgle for real world MPG figures based on the Giulietta or ask on the alfa romeo owners website you will get plenty of help there. Although the engine is slighly different.

 

[loveshandbags]

Its a well proven engine now so I dont think you need to worry about it.

Remember that US gallons as smaller than imperial, so your MPG figures will be different.

All cars sold in Europe have official fueld consumption figure for "town" driving and "highway" plus a combined figure. None of these reflect reality so are best ignored,

You could goodgle for real world MPG figures based on the Giulietta or ask on the alfa romeo owners website you will get plenty of help there. Although the engine is slighly different.

It's worth noting that the MA engine has only been 'out' since 2010. It might need a few more years to state that it's well proven. Athough the block has been around 7 years ?

The Multi-air engine is used in the Punto Evo with a slightly smaller Garrett turbo giving 135 bhp and it's used in the Abarth Punto Evo with the bigger 1446 Garrett turbo giving 180bhp. This 1446 Garrett turbo was also used in the older Abarth Grand Punto in esseesse guise and was easily capable of running 1.5bar. So there are more sources of information on the FF.

The MA has being used on the MiTo Cloverleaf and in the recently named QV model with 170bhp (only gives 163bhp because of a slightly restrictive airbox) using the C635 and it's also used on the 135MA model in both a 5 speed (C510 gearbox same as the A500) and in TCT (DSG).

Giulietta QV is in 170bhp 'form' and is relatively new but it might be worthwhile asking. A number of MiTo drivers have 'up sized' to a Giulietta. Feedback is that it's not as much 'fun' as the smaller cousin.

On the FiatUSA500 web site there's some excellent information and there's some coverage as to how the MA engine is slightly different to the European one.:idea:

 

[Milnoc]

I'm interested in reviewing the Dodge Dart. I actually learned how to drive in one back in 1981!

Of course, this new model has absolutely nothing in common with the original.

 

[johnda]

I was able to take a good look at the Dodge Dart Rallye at my local Chrysler dealership and I love it. The body really looks great and knowing that underneath lies an Alfa Romeo is really cool. If my wife's venerable Toyota Camry gets to the point where she may want a new car, I'm hoping she will take to the Dart. One problem, currently it is only available with a manual gearbox and although she learned to drive on my 1962 Corvair Monza with a four speed transmission, she hates to drive a stick. She would insist on an automatic, which will be available later on as far as I know.

The 1.4T is the same engine as is found in the 500 Abarth and I wish the scorpion logo could be used on the car, which I think would be a real selling point. I much prefer the instrumentation setup over the Fiat 500 with tach and speedometer in separate gauges. My local dealer is not a Fiat dealer, and the nearest Fiat dealership is about an hour away, plus I really love my dealership, Mullen Motors of Southold,NY. They really take good care of their customers.

The Rallye I saw was a beautiful red, as Italian cars should be, and I think I might have drooled a bit. They are going to give out test rides and I might just take them up on it as I'd love to do some shifting again. I'd buy it for myself but my Jeep Patriot (Inferno Red) is needed out here in 4WD for winter driving.

I think Chrysler/Dodge has a winner here!

 

[johnda]

Update:

My dealer nows has a few 1213 Darts and they are coming in with automatic and stick shifts. There's a beautiful metallic blue and a gun metal gray model at the lot. I'm going there to have my Jeep Patriot given its 5 year warranty inspection next week, I'm going to try and see if they'll let me drive one home to show my wife, it might be a good time to trade in her 2003 Camry, which has NEVER given us any trouble.

The Toyota dealer is 20 miles away, and our Chrysler dealer is only about a mile from here, plus the dealership is great to its customers, so we'll see how it goes.

In any case the automatics are here for those who want them.

 

[Eklipze3k]

Pfft, automatics, learn to drive

 

[johnda]

I taught my wife to drive on my 1962 Corvair Monza (in 1962) with a 4 speed transmission and she did OK with it, but she hates a stick shift.

I had talked to the guys at my dealership and they were going to let me drive a Limited home on Tuesday. The Limited has leather interior with heated seats and a heated steering wheel, which I think my wife would really like, but I got stopped in the middle of my great plan.

Yesterday my wife announced that we need a new washer and dryer, now we could still afford to get the Dart, but her current mind set is going to be very negative, so I told the boys at the dealership I would need to take a rain check on the test ride. Perhaps later in the fall, or after the R/T comes out. I'm still interested in the Dart, and I think red will be the color of choice, but this car will be for her, so she has to first of all want to trade her Camry for it. We need to hold onto the 4WD Jeep for those winter days. As they say, "The best laid plans of mice and men..."

 

[Ulpian]

I sympathise.

I'm in the throes of looking for a new car too, and I had a drive in a Suzuki Swift Sport this morning. This car is so totally out of field for me that even I coudn't understand what I was doing. The £2000 'scrappage' offered on my present car must have done it.

But no worries, no matter how much praise cars get from the motoring press, the reality is very different. It was noisy (road noise) and the steering was lifeless and the seat uncomfortable. Also, I am so used to a turbo Diesel that I found the performance lacklustre, and that after spending ten years with vastly less horsepower - but better torque I hope my friend buys one, however, because it suits him, and the salesman was a joy to deal with.

Juggling is order of the day when buying cars. I just wish I could be one of those people who buys a car undriven, and then realises they don't like it and trades it in (at huge cost) for another car they haven't driven. I know a person who does this all the time.... and they aren't rich

Once you have the white goods, get the red one. You only live once

 

[johnda]

Roger that!

My Jeep is "Inferno Red" and my wife loves the color. I think the red Dart is the way to go, after all it's based on the Alfa, and red is the ONLY color, as far as I'm concerned, for an Italian based car. ( insert beautful memories of my 1960 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750, red with blue racing stripes, here).

Tomorrow I will bring in my Jeep for its 5 year inspection, but the weather will be rainy here. I really think I will need a cool clear day to get her to try the Dart out. I am not giving up, as I really like my dealership, Mullen Motors, Southold, NY, and would much prefer to have both of our cars serviced there.

Hanging in there!:slayer:

 

[Freebo]

They are re-branding it the Fiat Viaggio over here in Europe

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fi...e=univ&ei=2SdFUIy-IsqQ0AW-nIDoBg&ved=0CCEQsAQ

Will admit Id prefer to have it under the Dodge name

Now lets just stick a hemi in it..... :slayer:

 

[Ralf S.]

The Giulietta, Dart and Viaggio are all related to the latest model Fiat Bravo.. though there are obviously differences to the mechanical specifications (mostly suspension) and engines.

But Viaggio is not just a re-badged Dart. However similar they might be, they're still different.


Ralf S.

 

[Ulpian]

They are very similar though: no?

And won't the Viaggio be built in China and exported to Europe from there, or is that idea being revised?

 

[alexGS]

Pfft, automatics, learn to drive

Haha

Know what you mean but the Dualogic is an excellent compromise if it's available for the Dart (it's probably called something else, like TCT) - robotised manual transmissions give the benefits of a manual but with the convenience of an auto when required...

-Alex

 

[johnda]

Well, THAT didn't go over well!

While my Jeep was being inspected (it passed) I did borrow a white Dart Limited, loaded to the gills, and drove it home to show my wife. She didn't want to sit in it but we did discuss getting it. When the dust settled, nothing was done because she still loves her 2003 Camry, which has been trouble free.

I'll keep an eye out in the future, though, if the Camry loses its luster.

 

[Ulpian]

Just do something to the Camry

Remember the nuns in The Sound of Music, if it's good enough for the Church it's good enough for us :devil:

 

[johnda]

Heh,heh!

 

[johnda]

Update:

My dealer, Mullen Motors, Southold, NY, just got in the 1.4 Turbo (Fiat 500 Abarth) engine coupled to the dual dry clutch automatic transmission. Every one of the three automatic models they have on hand are gray and fully loaded Limited models running in the 26,000 dollar price range. From what I've read the 2.0 with automatic gets zero to 60 in around 9.2 seconds and the 1.4 Turbo will get around 8.2 seconds . I understand that combo can be had in other models such as the Rallye, which should drop the price by a couple of grand.

I don't know why Dodge doesn't embrace the Abarth concept for the 1.4 Turbo with Scorpion Logos and belt stripes, I really think it would attract more buyers.

Having once owned an Abarth, I would drool over a Dart with the Abarth look. Oh well, we'll see. By the way I spotted a very cool black Fiat 500 Abarth on the road the other day. Loved the sound!:devil: