Dodge couldn’t wait until next week’s Detroit auto show to tell us about the latest addition to its Dart range, the sportier GT model that sits atop the Limited edition featuring the brand’s 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 four-cylinder engine delivering 184 ponies and 174 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels.
When the Chrysler Group announced pricing for the Dart last April, it made word of an identically-equipped R/T version fitted with the same 184hp engine priced at $22,495 (excluding handling and delivery) that would become available in the third quarter of the year.
Besides being absent from Dodge’s official catalog and website, the company added to the confusion today stating in the GT’s release, “Dodge continues to investigate a high-performance R/T model.”
Back to the GT, along with the 184hp engine that’s connected to a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed auto, the new Dart model gains a sport suspension with frequency-sensing damping shocks, 18-inch aluminum wheels and certain styling features such as the sports front grille with black accents, black projector headlamp bezels and dual exhaust tips.
Inside, the Dart GT gets Nappa perforated leather seats in Black with Ruby Red stitching or two-tone Black/Ruby Red, along with plenty of standard features including heated steering wheel and seats, dual zone automatic temperature control, power heated mirrors, an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen for the infotainment system and ParkView rear backup camera.
A 7-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) reconfigurable instrument cluster display, ambient LED interior lighting and automatic headlamps are also included.
The new 2013 Dodge Dart GT will go on sale in the U.S. in the second quarter of the year with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $20,995 (excluding destination).
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