The Dodge Dart ended up being a very successful model, so is no surprise that Dodge will expand the lineup by as much as possible. Along with the SE, SXT, Rallye, Aero and Limited models, the current Dart lineup will be expanded to include a new GT version. The new model will make its official debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and will be put on sale at a price of $20,995.

The new GT version will be built on the well-equipped Dart Limited trim level and will add a series of performance enhancements that will make it even more impressive. These updates will include an even more powerful engine, a unique front fascia, a set of 18-inch wheels and a dual exhaust system.

The interior will also be updated with a pretty impressive list of standard equipment, including unique premium Nappa perforated leather seats in Black with Ruby Red stitching and of course numerous GT badges.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Dodge Dart GT.

2013 Dodge Dart GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Dodge Dart GT
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Pros
Cons

Exterior and interior

The new Dart GT will be distinguished from the rest of the lineup thanks to its unique front fascia with black accents and Hyper Black grille, black projector headlamp bezels and body-color door handles. The car will sit on a set of 18-inch aluminum wheels combined with sport suspension with frequency-sensing shocks.The rear of the new GT version will receive integrated dual exhaust with bright exhaust tips and class-exclusive racetrack LED taillights.On the inside, Dodge has added unique premium Nappa perforated leather seats in Black with Ruby Red stitching or two-tone Black/Ruby Red. There is also a class-exclusive heated steering wheel, heated front seats and a dual-zone automatic temperature control.Standard equipment

-Projector fog lamps

-Power heated mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps

-Class-exclusive 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen

-Class-exclusive floating island bezel

-ParkView rear backup camera

-Class-exclusive 7-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) reconfigurable instrument cluster display

-Premium door trim panel with soft-touch upper surfaces

-Leather steering wheel with audio controls and speed control

-Accent stitching on the instrument panel

-Power 10-way driver seat, including power lumbar support

-Driver and front passenger seatback pockets

-Overhead console with sunglass holder

-Front passenger in-seat storage

-Illuminated front cup holders

-Illuminated vanity mirrors

-Temperature and compass gauge

-12-volt auxiliary power outlet in console

-Speed-sensitive power locks

-Power windows with express one-touch up/down front windows

-Ambient LED interior lighting

-Automatic headlamps

-Active grille shutters

-Underbody aerodynamic treatment

-Tire pressure monitoring display

-Air conditioning with micron filter

-Power mirrors

-Remote keyless entry

-Front center console with fore and aft sliding armrest

-60/40 split folding rear seat with armrest with storage/cup holders and trunk pass-through

-Six-speakers

-Security alarm

-Front and rear floor mats

-600-amp maintenance-free batteryOptional equipment includes:

-Six-speed Powertech automatic transmission with AutoStick

-Technology Group (push-button start, keyless Enter ‘N Go, rain sensing wipers, smart beam headlamps, blind spot monitoring with rear cross path detection)

-18-inch Hyper Black Aluminum Wheels

-Power Sunroof

-HID headlamps

-SiriusXM Satellite Radio

-Garmin Navigation with Sirius XM Travel Link

-Alpine Premium Sound System with 10 speakers, including subwoofer and 506-watt amplifier

-Engine block heater

Engine

Under the hood, Chrysler has placed a 2.4-liter Tigershark with MultiAir 2 engine that delivers a total of 184 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission and sends its power to the front wheels. As an option customers can also get a six-speed PowerTech automatic AutoStick transmission.

Prices

The new Dodge Dart GT will be priced at $20,995. Production will begin in the second quarter of 2013.

The competition

If you are looking for an alternative to the new Dart GT then you will have to take a look at models like Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima. In fact the new GT version puts the Dart model closer to these two models on both performance and price.For example the Hyundai Sonata is priced at $20,995 and is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 190 horsepower (6 horsepower more than the GT model), while the Optima is priced at $23,500 and gets a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 200 horsepower.At a first look it appears that the Optima will be the best choice, being the most powerful model, but if you ask us, the new Dart GT is a little bit meaner and aggressive than the Optima.