Eastern Shore Cruisers

The Dodge Dart has a much more theatening look than the original

The 2013 Dodge Dart will blend American style with a little Italian flair to create a new, technology-driven compact car. It's being introduced today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

MORE: From the introduction

It's one of the first efforts by Chrysler Group's overseer, Italy's Fiat, to fuse the two brands into a car that will be popular with the masses. While its looks are distinctly American, it has Fiat's Alfa Romeo platform and engines underneath.

"The Dodge Dart was a dream to design," said Joe Dehner, head of Dodge Design for Chrysler Group. "The Alfa Romeo-based architecture allowed us to design an exterior with great proportions that say 'fun-to-drive' when you look at it. Add in the Charger-inspired 'racetrack' tail lamps, a new, sleek cross-hair grille and piano black accents, and it all adds up to a performance-inspired design with just the right amount of attitude."

The chassis allowed the car be low, wide and long with the wheels at the edges, giving it a coupe-like silhouette. The grille of the Dart was styled with the signature cross hairs, and the rear has the wild "racetrack" in which 152 glowing LEDs outline the back.

Inside, the car will also have interesting lighting and high-quality, soft-touch plastics:

A "light pipe" will outline the dashboard, and the Dart will have the largest touch screen in its class at 8.4 inches wide.

Engines will include a 160-horsepower Tigershark 2-liter engine, a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine and a new 184-horsepower 2.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine. These engines will be paired with three transmission choices — six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or six-speed dual dry-clutch transmission.

For more gas savings, Dart is the first Dodge vehicle to use an active grille shutter system. Shutters close at higher speeds to lessen aerodynamic drag. Underbody panels run stem to stern on the Dodge. The panels enhance aerodynamic performance and block road noise.

The new Dodge Dart was developed in conjunction with Italy's Fiat

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By Chrysler