So the Dart is Only Available With the 1.4T in Aero Trim...

"shpuker" (shpuker) 08/28/2014 at 02:09 • Filed to: None

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And while Car and Driver may be happy, I think that's a bad move. But I think FCA has a plan.

Sure the 1.4 is lagy. But god it sounds good. It doesn't cost hardly anything more than the 2.0 to produce and it holds a similar, if not better, reliability history. It's the better motor IMO.

But regardless, I don't think Dodge gives many fucks about how the 2015/16 Dart does, because the 2017's are getting refreshed baby! Wanna know what I expect? Too bad telling you anyways.

Obviously the SRT is coming, along with the 9 speed option across the menu, but what about other engines?! Let's start with the 1.4T.

While I am not well versed on the 1.4 I do know that an engine running 9.8:1 compression and no direct injection is a poor product for the future. Expect a revamped version of the 1.4T with direct injection, higher compression, and less boost (NOOOOOO! Not the boost!). Yes, less boost. DI and higher compression should provide significant gains in efficiency and decent gains in power and torque, if I had to guess I'd say somewhere in the 170hp/200lb ft. Yes, I expect less boost (like a psi ish) but more torque. Thank compression, revised intake mapping, and other goodies. Fuel economy should top the 45mpg highway mark for the optimal trim.

But what about the bigger motor?! Well seeing that I fully expect the Dart SRT to run a 2.4T, expect a 2.4L as the other motor in the lineup (a mid range motor like the current 2.0 could happen, but I could see them ditching it in favor of the 2 gas motor options). A more serious update is due for the tigersharks though. An entirely new motor is possible although a heavily revamped version seems more likely. Something over the 200hp/210lb ft mark is what I'm hoping for with fuel economy nearing or breaking 40mpg highway.

Come 2018 MY though I see potential for a small diesel to make it's way into the Dart, I'm guessing the fairly new 2.0T being the most likely due to it's US friendly power output (round about 170hp/270lb ft) and it's near 60mpg (US converted units, in the Giulietta) with a 6-speed, even better with the 9-speed. Whether our not the engine sees US soil could depend on how initial sales go, assuming it makes it to consideration (I hole it does). If the engine does make it over here expect it to leak into the 200 and the Cherokee as well. Maybe even the Renegade.

However this is 99% speculation, albeit based on what other companies are doing accompanied by Dodge (seemingly) being big fans of making things uncomfortable for Ford and GM whenever possible as of late. Here's to a 60+mpg Dart though! I'll take mine in white with the black accents. Oh and please do some crazy aluminum shenanigans with it. Fuck give me a 70mpg Dart with 270 lb ft... Please? Boost?

/sleepdeprivationaidedrant

AM3R > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 02:14

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It would be interesting to see how a small diesel would perform in one of these.

I'm looking forward to the SRT. I wonder what it'll be priced at, and if it'll compete with the ST twins (I know it's not a hatch blah blah blah).

M54B30 > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 02:31

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eh, it'll follow chrysler's traditional model pattern. Introduce a new model that performs mid-pack against its competition. Never do a substantial upgrade to keep it competitive. Watch it fall against the competition that is constantly evolving. Phase it out, introduce a new car to replace it. Lather, rinse, repeat. They did it with the Neon, which became the caliber, and is now the Dart. About 5-7 years from now, the Dart will be something else.

shpuker > AM3R 08/28/2014 at 02:31

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It sounds like it's going after WRX/future RS territory. Output is rumored to nudge up to the 320-340hp and similar torque mark with AWD. I think Dodge is done playing the catch up game and wants to play a bit of the, "come at me bro" card.

But having driven both a new Passat and Jetta TDI I can say that a 2.0T multijet Dart would be fun as hell and a beast for fuel economy. Plus the 2.0 multijet (TCT) already makes more power/torque than the 2.0 TDI VWs at nearly identical revs.

Alex from Toronto > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 02:38

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Hatchback and a coupe and maybe a diesel. Is that to mutch to ask

shpuker > M54B30 08/28/2014 at 02:39

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Yes everyone seems to forget about the late 80's/most of the 90's where Chrysler did very well for themselves and produced some of the best cars around. ZJ Grand Cherokee, Cherokee's, Wrangler, the Neon when it was new, the Rams were very comparative, best mini van around, etc. Chrysler is no strange to success (not failure), don't count then out.

shpuker > Alex from Toronto 08/28/2014 at 02:39

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I'd settle for an awd hatchback diesel...

CRider > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 02:42

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Paint it brown, throw in all wheel drive and a manual, and price it under $15k with options and then Oppo might be happy.

Alex from Toronto > CRider 08/28/2014 at 02:44

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^this

CRider > Alex from Toronto 08/28/2014 at 02:48

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I forgot it can't weight more than 2300 lbs.

Alex from Toronto > CRider 08/28/2014 at 02:50

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and come with steel wheels

CRider > Alex from Toronto 08/28/2014 at 02:55

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Standard steelies with optional Enkeis. Slotted disc brakes with fixed calipers and coilovers all around too.

M54B30 > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 02:55

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that's what I mean - their cars are good when they come out, but they don't get any real updates and become a joke. Instead of fixing the problem, they just introduce a new model. GM does it too. Meanwhile, the Civics, Accords, Corollas and Camrys have 25+ years of name recognition. People can say "well, my boss is still driving his 91 Corolla, I'll get one of those - obviously it's good." But they can't say "well, my boss' neon is nice, but that became a Caliber and that's a dart now, so I dunno... Maybe it's the same but I'm not sure"

nippon > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 03:13

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FCA doesn't do that thing you call "a plan".

GhostZ > M54B30 08/28/2014 at 04:53

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I would say that the Dart is more than a mid-pack performer for a compact sedan. The Fiesta is probably the only real competition it has. It's better than the latest Civic and Corolla, that's for sure. Some people like the Sonic, but I detest it. That doesn't leave much competition for it.

Alex from Toronto > CRider 08/28/2014 at 08:41

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carbon ceramics on Srt trim

FrederickLawOlmsteez > AM3R 08/28/2014 at 08:49

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If they can squeeze 170HP and 45MGPs out of the gasser.... DIESEL US NOW!

Milky > nippon 08/28/2014 at 08:56

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Seeing as they have been following their 5-year plan they showed to the world a few years ago, I beg to differ.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > GhostZ 08/28/2014 at 09:16

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dart is focus sized and also competes against the cruze

DipodomysDeserti > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 09:16

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The 1.4T dosen't have direct injection because it uses MultiAir which is FIAT's answer to direct injection. Same benefits without the negatives of carbon build up. The 1.4T MultiAir is still a pretty new engine. I don't think FIAT is going to forgo MultiAir for DI. The FIAT 500 already does 40 MPG on the highway without DI, and MultiAir theoretically offers an unlimited number of intake profiles. They can basically just be programmed into the ECU. In stock form, my Abarth has five intake profiles. In my opinion, Multi Air is a much more advanced design with less drawbacks than direct injection as far as engine life is concerned. I have a car with DI, and its already presented problems in as little as 40k miles.

nippon > Milky 08/28/2014 at 09:25

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Maybe in the states, yes. Over the pond they broke every promise so far regarding EU market.

Milky > nippon 08/28/2014 at 09:32

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Just another reason my friend.

Tohru > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 09:45

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They're not going to put a diesel in the Dart. They wouldn't sell. The Cruze has a diesel and it's sold less than 10,000 cars since it was introduced in 2013.

VW is the only company that has decent sales figures for diesel cars, and that's because VW owners are weirdos. Nobody looking at a Jetta TDI would cross-shop a Dart.

Tohru > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 09:48

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The first-gen Neon was rubbish. Both the SOHC and DOHC motors liked eating head gaskets, they rusted out in weird places (including the top of the front doors), the paint was cheap and flaked clear coat... It was just bad.

shpuker > DipodomysDeserti 08/28/2014 at 11:03

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MultiAir is just some real tricky valve control. Basically very similar to BMWs old valvetronic system over 10 years ago.

shpuker > Tohru 08/28/2014 at 11:07

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I think you underestimate the power of a changing market. 5 years ago I would've agreed. There's a chance now, especially with Ram getting attention for the 1500 diesel. Obviously a different situation but it trickles down.

DipodomysDeserti > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 11:18

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FIAT first patented the MultiAir tech in 2002. Same concept as with Valvetronic but no need for an intake cam since the valves are hydraulically controlled. Because of this, the cam profile as well as the valve lift can be altered with a MultiAir engine. I just had to have the head on my BMW taken apart and cleaned at 34k miles because of direct injection. I really hope FIAT doesn't decide to start using it.

M54B30 > GhostZ 08/28/2014 at 11:43

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and it has some cool interior options. But it's a relatively heavy sedan with dull driving dynamics, a higher price tag and polarizing styling. It looks like what the Neon would've/should've evolved in to. But so many people buy based off name - and the Japanese have kept the name for generations. Chrysler needs to stop the "renaming every generation" idea

shpuker > DipodomysDeserti 08/28/2014 at 12:14

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Just because there are quirks with direct injection doesn't make it this intolerable beast. They will go DI, even if you ignore the obvious performance and fuel economy gains you still need to make CAFE regs. MultiAir has held them over but it isn't something that can keep them alive by itself.

AM3R > FrederickLawOlmsteez 08/28/2014 at 15:08

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Exactly! That's already impressive enough. Then again, that may be used to argue why a diesel wouldn't be necessary.

DipodomysDeserti > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 20:54

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Filling the head with carbon build up with no way to externally introduce cleaners isn't a quirk, it's a design flaw. DI isn't new, and it isn't an ideal solution. It's a quick solution which was easy to integrate in order to produce immediate fuel economy results. It's been around for about a century, and it was a cheap and easy way to gain fuel economy. Hopefully the future holds more advanced tech.

shpuker > DipodomysDeserti 08/28/2014 at 22:34

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To be honest the future probably looks more like diesel assisted electric powertrains.

DipodomysDeserti > shpuker 08/28/2014 at 22:36

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I support this.