[Dave Z]

Chrysler 2014: cars and trucks

I am sure you will not be surprised that oh2o nailed the Dart changes. I couldn't say anything one way or another due to the embargo!

 

[browens1534]

I'm not happy about ditching the 1.4 in everything but the Aero... That makes my parents 1.4 powered Limited a rare bird, hard to find parts now? Time will tell... I for one DO NOT want a 30mpg Econobox car... I guess I'll just get an SE with the 6spd and hopefully they made cruise control STANDARD as it shoulda been...

 

[Erik Latranyi]

Dave:

The wording of the 2014 Avenger/200 really conveys a negative here. Saying the Avenger might stay on in case the 200 is a flop, shows a real lack of confidence in the new Fiat/Chrysler lineup.

This sentiment has not come from anyone at Fiat/Chrysler, right? I think this is a media contrivance.

 

[Paul J. Reed]

Ultrasonic intrusion alarm? I'm pretty sure my 2013 GT doesn't have that...

 

[IMPERIAL4EVER]

2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X??? Retreaded 2013 30th Anniversary Rubicon???

 

[Mike V.]

No news on the Fiat 500 or Abarth?

 

[Dave Z]

I'll rephrase the 200/Avenger scenario.

 

[bew]

I cannot understand how they can only get 30 mpg from a dart with the 2.4, I believe they are expecting better than that in 2.4 cherokee. This is going to hurt the dart, midsize cars are rated much higher from the competition and if people are buying a compact fuel economy is important.

 

[RVC]

I cannot understand how they can only get 30 mpg from a dart with the 2.4, I believe they are expecting better than that in 2.4 cherokee.

6sp vs 9spd transmission?

 

[Dave Z]

I would bet it is indeed the six speed vs nine speed. With the nine speed, that 2.4 will barely be ticking over at 70 mph. I suspect they modified the MultiAir system to deal with that scenario.

 

[JRS200x]

The Dart changes are a terrible terrible idea. They are apparently giving up on it.

 

[guyverfanboy]

The Dart changes are a terrible terrible idea. They are apparently giving up on it.

I hope not. I really would like to see a diesel Dart down the line....

 

[Dave Z]

Well... I think the Dart SE changes are good. I also think they are going for a “Dodge is muscle” motif more strongly by giving up on gas mileage except in two token cars (Aero and SE), and going for power instead in the majority. I would not be surprised if Chrysler 100 shows up after all, at this point — using the 2.0 engine...

 

[billfrombuckhead]

The Dart changes are a terrible terrible idea. They are apparently giving up on it.

I think the opposite, I think they're ramping up to sell a bunch of Darts.

 

[saltydog]

I like the 30th anniversary T&C very nice!
As for the Dart changes, it would be nice if they had left the 1.4 as option on more models, it had good power and drove great with 6sp manual.

 

[SUNBURNTsnype]

i havent really been following Dart news lately, so this may be a dumb question, but what tranny's are currently available in the Dart? Is the 9 speed not out for it yet?

 

[Dave Z]

Six speed conventional Hyundai for 2.4/2.0.
Six speed manual for anything.
Six speed DDCT for 1.4.

All as in the pages http://www.dart-mouth.com/

 

[suzq044]

I'm not happy about ditching the 1.4 in everything but the Aero... That makes my parents 1.4 powered Limited a rare bird, hard to find parts now? Time will tell... I for one DO NOT want a 30mpg Econobox car... I guess I'll just get an SE with the 6spd and hopefully they made cruise control STANDARD as it shoulda been...

The Aero is actually pretty well equipped; but has a few weight-savings things; no spare, smaller gas-tank, etc.

That said.. I'm glad I have my Limited the way I wanted it. 1.4L Turbo, MANUAL. -_-

 

[srt4evah]

The 1.4L isn't going away, it's still in the Fiat Turbo and Abarth, so I don't think parts availability should become a problem anytime soon.

I still also disagree that a 6-speed transmission is not good enough to get the gas great gas mileage. There are other manufacturers using 6-speed automatics and achieving significantly better gas mileage in the compact and midsize class. It's in the engine, and the tuning of the engine/transmission together, from what I can gather as an uneducated outsider, just merely an industry observer.

 

[JavelinAMX]

The 1.4L isn't going away, it's still in the Fiat Turbo and Abarth, so I don't think parts availability should become a problem anytime soon.

I still also disagree that a 6-speed transmission is not good enough to get the gas great gas mileage. There are other manufacturers using 6-speed automatics and achieving significantly better gas mileage in the compact and midsize class. It's in the engine, and the tuning of the engine/transmission together, from what I can gather as an uneducated outsider, just merely an industry observer.

With shoe on the other foot, could the transaxle programming with the six-speed auto be affected by those extra few pounds the Dart is pulling? Could it have been Just enough to hold back reaching a slight bit better fuel mileage ( I ask Rhetorically ) ?