There’s a new hot Dodge Dart coming out but it’s not for you. It’s the racing version of the Chrysler Group’s new compact sedan that will compete in the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship (GRC) Series this summer.
The motorsports edition of the 2013 Dart will be piloted by none other than four-time Rally America Champion and 17-time X Games Gold Medalist, Travis Pastrana.
Dodge made the announcement on Monday at the Hard Rock Cafe in Detroit.
“At Dodge, racing is an integral part of our heritage and embodies our competitive spirit, so we’re very excited to announce the next chapter in racing for Dodge with our all-new Dodge Dart,” said Dodge boss Reid Bigland.
As you’ve probably already figured it out by looking at the teaser rendering released by Dodge, the GRC Dart is a very different beast compared to the stock model.
Designed in cooperation with SRT Motorsports, it features a purpose-built, 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-pot that delivers 600-horsepower and more than 550 lb-ft (745Nm) of torque to all four wheels.
David Bailey, Senior Engineering Manager for SRT Motorsports, commented: “The sport is extremely exciting and the on-track action can be brutal on the drivers and the cars. The Dart rally car is lightweight with a very powerful motor. The zero to 60 mile-per-hour times are incredible, as low as 1.9 seconds, so with Travis behind the wheel, we can’t wait for the season opener.”
Below you’ll find the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship’s schedule.
2012 Global RallyCross Race Schedule:
- May 26 – Charlotte Motor Speedway
- June 10 – Texas Motor Speedway
- June 30 – X Games, Los Angeles
- July 1 – X Games, Los Angeles
- July 14 – New Hampshire Motor Speedway
- Sept. 1 – TBD
- Sept. 29 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway
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