[srt4evah]

SRT Dart is not going to happen. Ralph Gilles said at SEMA last year that they will no longer do an SRT car with less than 8 cylinders.

Sad, since the first "true" SRT vehicle was a 4-cylinder. Viper already existed, and the Ram SRT-10 came a year later than the Dodge SRT-4...

Truthfully, the 4-cylinder performance market is dramatically different today than it was 10 years ago. 10 years ago the SRT-4 was a revelation, a 230hp+ monster among 170-200hp competition. Turned the whole segment upside down.

 

[srt4evah]

Can someone explain how "frequency sensing dampers" work, and what the effect would be of having those over the standard suspension?

 

[srt4evah]

Thanks for the info on the frequency sensing dampers. I had read about the Koni FSDs when I was looking for a used daily driver car and thinking about potential upgrades (yes I plan to upgrade cars I might potentially want...), they're available aftermarket for a lot of makes.

As to the R/T turbo, that would be inline with what I was speculating when they changed the R/T to the GT, I suspected they're leaving room for the R/T trim to have a real impact. I hope it proves to be true, 260-270hp FWD Dart R/T turbo would be a fantastic machine. As it is, the Dart GT might still garner some consideration for my next vehicle, against the new Mazda3 with the 2.5L.

 

[srt4evah]

If a Mopar product is going to be competitive again in the performance 4 cyl. arena they are going to need 300 hp to keep up, especially with cars like the turbo 305 hp Subaru WRX and a 201 hp NA Honda. I'd like to see a SRT4 Dart and I believe "if they will build it, they will come".

It wouldn't take 300hp to compete with the Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, or WRX. They all make a little over 260hp.

 

[srt4evah]

The WRX STi makes 305 hp. Besides, let's not just keep up, lets go beyond the competition. I agree with Suzq though, pricing is probably a real issue with a Dart at that power level. I'm thinking that if Mopar could make a real performance machine without all the fancy gizmos or luxury items (SRT Core or Roadrunner) and at reasonable price, it might have some takers.

Uh yah, STi sure, which also stickers at $34,495.. the WRX starts at $25,995 and makes 265HP.

If the Dart made as much power as the Caliber SRT-4, 285HP, it would lead the pack of sub-$26,000 performance compacts.

And that was about the last time that a Mopar vehicle served as a leader in a performance category.

Not true, the Gen IV Viper in 2010 was the class leader as well.

 

[srt4evah]

Personally, I feel like in the compact market, bang for buck and real world fun trumps winning wang measuring competitions. Personally, I'd rather see a more modest turbo at a mimimal upcharge (say, 1k if possible) for something like a 240 HP vehicle at something like 22k (1k over the GT). Especially if the MPG managed not to drop too far, it'd be the best balance of real world usable with the extra kick.

Most of the other vehicles mentioned seem to me to be more of a Niche.

It may not win matches, but would be more accessable to the daily drivers. Then they can follow up with the more Niche, more expensive "I will kill you all" version to win the matches.

As a previous owner of Neon ACRs and a couple SRT-4s, Evo IX and X, I'd have to say it's not about any winning wang competitions for me either, BUT it is all about knowing that I got the best car for the money. If I'm paying $25k for a performance compact car, I wouldn't really feel I made the right purchase if I got a 240hp Dart when 265hp Focus ST and Mazdaspeed3 are available. It's not because I intend to stoplight race those cars every time I see them, but why would I buy less performance per dollar if I have a choice?

For that kind of buyer, the Dart GT or possible future R/T with a mild turbo setup is probably right up their alley. 230-240hp R/T would probably sit very well with a lot of people, but I'd rather see an SRT Dart with at least 280HP. I really don't think the SRT Dart needs 300HP or more, at 280HP it would be what the original SRT-4 was, class-leading.

 

[srt4evah]

lol, I am not sure we disagree. I'd like to see a 22-23k offering that is about being fun to drive and very accessible, but this would be a, as you said it, future GT or R/T offering. Just a high performance version meant to be a fun car, not win it all. Then, offer an SRT-4 version in addition. I don't personally believe it MUST have over 300 HP either. 280 or 290 with a still accessible price tag - not far off from Focus ST and Mazdaspeed territory.

I think we may well be on the same page.

I think we're on the same page.

Mopar 2.4L R/T with 210HP (emissions certified Mopar GTS 210) for $22k
Turbo 2.4L SRT with 285HP (same as Caliber SRT-4) for $25k

That would be just lovely, but I think it's a bit much to ask or expect at this stage.

 

[srt4evah]

Yes! Advertising it gets 41 mpg, but when you drive it, it is not fun makes a customer think bait-switch.

Marketing still does not get it.

Have to agree 100%, such a bizarre way to advertise the car. If they focused on the 41mpg they could build some equity on that, but they confuse things by trying to make it look sporty when it's not.

 

[srt4evah]

I still cannot see the 2.0 Dart as a "slug." Unless you're coming off a Corvette or something.

Would you consider it a "slug" if you're coming off a manual transmission first gen Neon?