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The Dodge Caliber never really hit the mark in the compact class. The five-door hatchback got off to a decent start when it debuted in 2007 but sputtered in recent years as it lagged its competitors in terms of fuel economy, interior quality, and other features. Also, unlike many of its competitors such as the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Corolla, and its predecessor the Dodge Neon, the Caliber was not offered as a sedan.

Chrysler hope to change its compact fortunes by reviving a name from its past as the automaker has had success bringing back names like the Challenger and Charger. The result is the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart. Fiat, which is the majority owner of Chrysler, will use a platform used for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta for the model.

photo credit: sarahlarson

In a press release, Chrysler stated:

Dodge Dart Blends Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge’s Passion for Performance Resulting in a Groundbreaking Car with the Ultimate Blend of Power, Fuel Economy, Handling and Style.

Taking on the Compact Sedan Class

The Dart becomes one of the most anticipated new models of 2013. The model will be offered as a sedan only, which is surprising considering hatchback sales have been on the rise in the compact class. Fiat is introducing the 500L, which is a four-door version of the Fiat 500 hatchback, perhaps hoping hatchback buyers go for that model.

The Dart will also offer sporty 18-inch wheels and an SRT model, which will produce about 300 horsepower in a compact package. The SRT would take on the likes of the Focus Focus ST, Subaru Impreza WRX, and Mazda MazdaSpeed3.

Despite its Alfa Romeo platform, the Dart will feature Dodge styling cues such as the split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps, fog lams, accentuated fenders, and LED ‘racetrack’ tail lamps. The model will also feature class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust, adding to athletic and muscular stance.

photo credit: Autoviva.com

Dart Safety Features

The Dart offers class-leading safety with standard features that include:

• 10 Standard Airbags
• Reactive Head-Restraint System
• Blind-spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Path Detection
• All three rear seat positions featured Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
• ParkView® rear backup camera
• ParkSense® rear park assist
• Four-wheel, four-channel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and traction control system
• Brake Assist
• Brake-lock differential
• Electronic Roll Mitigation
• Hill-start Assist

Engines & Fuel Economy

The 2013 Dodge Dart will offer three fuel-efficient engines including the 1.4-liter MultiAir® Turbo, which is found in the Fiat 500 Abarth. Drivers can also choose from other four-cylinder engines – new Tigershark 16-value 2.0-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine and a 16-vale 2.4-liter MultiAir engine.

Chrysler claims class-leading aerodynamics for the model. With this in combination with the fuel-efficient engines, expect fuel economy topping 40-mpg highway in some trims.

Built in America

Despite its European roots, the 2013 Dodge Dart will be built at Chrysler Group’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois. The Dart made its public debut recently at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Dart will have a starting MSRP of $15,995, which is about average for its class, but significantly less than the $17,380 starting price of the outgoing Caliber.

The Dart will go on sale later in 2012. For more photos and information, go to the official Dodge Dart website.

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If you’re looking to improve aspects of your small car’s performance such as top speed, acceleration, horsepower output, and more, you’ll need to make some modifications to your vehicle’s existing framework. Namely, you’ll have to focus on two areas where improvements can be made most effectively: using add-ons to supplement your compact car’s stock performance results, and using replacements to switch out less-effective parts with ones that outperform them.

Below, we’ll target several specific performance upgrades you can make to your small vehicle, so that whether you have a Volkswagen Beetle, a Ford Focus, or another small/compact car, you can still keep it up-to-speed.

photo credit: andrewjsan

Add-ons

Aftermarket add-ons are notoriously popular amongst car tuners looking to improve the performance of their compact vehicles. For years, vehicles such as the Honda Civic have been retrofitted with all kinds of body kits and superchargers to boost their speed and acceleration on the road, not to mention enhance their appearance.

For the least expensive and quickest-to-install add-ons, try utilizing performance chips. Unlike more expensive add-ons that can take hours, even days to install individually, or that may even require professional installation, even novice installers can outfit a car with a chip in under a half an hour.

Performance chips typically cost less than a hundred dollars, can be installed using only basic automotive tools, and most modern versions don’t even require an ECU reboot. For up to 60 extra horsepower and 4-7mpg in fuel savings, that’s certainly nothing to scoff at.

For an add-on that’s dramatically more powerful than a chip, and yet also dramatically more expensive, you can always go with an aftermarket turbocharger. You’ll be able to boost your car’s engine horsepower output by several hundred HP at best, bringing your compact car up to league with upper-end sports cars instead of other compacts just rolling off the dealer lot.

Replacements

Improving your small vehicle’s on-road performance doesn’t always require the use of expensive or time-consuming add-ons. Instead, you can simply replace pieces of your car’s stock build that are ineffective, busted, or simply outdated.

Consider your compact car’s hood, for instance. Though you may have a compact car that’s smaller and lighter than most models, your car still may have an inconsistently heavy hood. Stock hoods can weigh down cars by as much as 100 extra pounds over the car’s weight with them removed.

By utilizing alternatives such as carbon fiber or fiberglass hoods, you can significantly cut weight from your car’s total, resulting in lessened engine strain and easier acceleration. Replacing partially deflated tires can also result in more even weight distribution, resulting in enhanced performance and fuel efficiency as well.

So if you don’t have any intention of installing add-on parts to your car because you like it mostly the way it is, consider using replacements as alternatives that can still bring you the performance results that you’ve been looking for.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST is a new high performance hatchback that takes aim at other sporty powerful compact hatches such as the Subaru Impreza WRX, Mazda MazdaSpeed3, and Volkswagen GTI.

The Focus ST has not previously been available in North America but the Focus SVT was a higher performance version of the model that was last offered in the U.S. for the 2004 model. The Focus SVT had a 2.0-liter 170 horsepower engine.

Engine and Power

The Focus was all-new for 2011 so there are otherwise few changes for the 2012 model year. The Focus ST features Ford’s lightweight, all-aluminum 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost® engine, which is also seen in the 2012 Ford Explorer.

In the Focus ST, the engine produces an estimated 247 horsepower and 250 pound feet of torque. In comparison, the Impreza WRX has 265 horsepower, the MazdaSpeed3 has 263 horsepower, and the VW GTI has 200 horsepower. Expect a Focus ST 0-60 time of under 6 seconds.

Features and Options

The Focus ST has a sporty design, distinctive from other Focus trim lines. The model has unique 18” Y-shaped alloy wheels and front and rear upsized disc brakes for quicker stops. Optional features include partial leather Recaro® seats, heated seats, eight-way adjustable seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and bi-xenon headlights.

The model has uprated shock absorbers and springs that lower its chassis by one centimeter. This gives the car a lower center of gravity and better handling than other Focus trim.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy has not yet been announced but the Focus ST comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The model uses high-pressure direct injection, twin-independent variable cam timing, and a low-inertia turbocharger to conserve fuel. The Focus ST is front-wheel drive but has a torque steer compensation system that counteracts the effects of torque steer feel for the driver.

Coming in 2012

The Focus ST its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It goes on sale in the U.S. in calendar year 2012. The model brings back more competition in the sport hatchback market as the Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Dodge Caliber SRT-4 were both discontinued.

The Focus ST will be available in more than 40 markets and an ST Wagon will be sold in Europe. Buyers in six continents can enjoy the performance, agility, sound quality, and driving dynamics of this car.

Pricing has not been announced but expect a starting MSRP of about $25,000 making the Focus ST one of the cheapest performance cars you can buy.

Originally posted 2011-09-24 19:24:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter