Having already introduced the Dodge Charger->ke218 R/T Funny Car and the Dodge Challenger->ke249 Sportsman for the 2014 season earlier this year, Mopar has just unveiled its brand new 2014 Dodge Dart Pro Stock race car->ke148.

Slated to replace the Dodge Avenger->ke2188 Pro Stock, the brand's most successful Pro Stock class vehicle ever with 24 NHRA titles and consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013, the 2014 Dodge Dart Pro Stock benefits from a similar carbureted Hemi V-8 heart as its predecessor.

Naturally, the Pro Stock car has very little in common with the road car, being developed on a virtual platform and wearing a body that has been put through aerodynamic wind tunnel testing at Chrysler's facility in Auburn Hills. Aside from some "production-based technology and tools" and its name, the Dart Pro Stock is a long way from embodying the compact sedan you might encounter on your daily route.

As expected, driving duties were handed over to Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Allen Johnson. The former is none other than the defending title holder and five-time Pro Stock champion, while the latter won the class in the Dodge Avenger the year before. A third Dart driven by NHRA veteran Vieri Gaines will join the pack in a few weeks.

While unveiling the new race car, Mopar also announced it has extended its partnership with high-tech component manufacturer Magneti Marelli. Known for their involvement with Formula One, the Italians will act as Mopar's primary sponsor and will adorn Allen Johnson's car throughout the 2014 season.

Looking back at what the Avenger Pro Stock dragster has achieved over the past couple of years, the Dart has some pretty big shoes to fill. Will it succeed? It remains to be seen as the 2014 NHRA season has only started a month ago. All we know is the Dart Pro Stock made a successful debut at the Gatornationals in Florida this weekend, where Allen Johnson took the top spot with a lightning-fast 6.566-second quarter mile time at 211.73 miles per hour.

Now if only road-going Darts would be that fast...

Click past the jump to read more about Dodge Dart.

2014 Dodge Dart Pro Stock

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Dodge Dart Pro Stock
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Dodge Dart

Introduced for the 2013 model year, the Dodge Dart replaced the Caliber, which was discontinued in 2012. Built at Chrysler's Belvidere Assembly Plant, the Dart is underpinned by Chrysler's Compact US Wide platform, an enlarged version of the Fiat Compact platform on which the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is bolted on.

Three gasoline engines are in charge with providing motivation for the Dart. There's a 1.4-liter MultiAir rated at 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, a 2.0-liter Tigershark that generates 160 horsepower and 148 pound-feet and the slightly brawnier 2.4-liter Tigershark that delivers 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque.

The compact can be had in five trim levels and an additional Scat Package courtesy of Mopar. The latter comes in three flavors and includes a custom engine calibration that takes the 2.4-liter unit into 200+ horsepower territory.