The 2012 Dodge Dart — the first all-new car from Chrysler, after Fiat’s rescue of Chrysler in 2009, is pretty darn impressive, it seems. The 2012 Dodge Dart is a compact car that rides on a customized Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform. Set to be offered in five trim levels, the new vehicle will have three engine and transmission choices, alongside 12 exterior color choices and 14 interior trim combinations. For those who want to customize their Darts, the Mopar accessory group is set to provide 150 different parts that help users customize their Dart’s to their hearts content. The 2012 Dodge Dart features bold styling tweaks including the 152-LED “racetrack” taillights taken from the Dodge Charger. All said and done, the Dodge Dart stands out in a competing industry including the Ford Focus, the Chevrolet Cruze, the Honda Civic, the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla.

The five trim levels offered are SE ($16,790), SXT ($18,790), Rallye ($19,790), Limited ($20,790) and R/T ($23,290). Among these, the last model will not be available until the third quarter. The three engines are built at Chrysler’s Dundee, Mich., engine plant, and it ranges from the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder generating 160 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, to a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft, up to a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 184 hp and 171 lb-ft. One can also opt for transmission choices: a six-speed manual or automatic and a six-speed dual dry clutch that is available on turbo models.

The base engine is enough to haul around the 3,186-pound car, even if the lack of torque is noticeable. The six-speed auto can be shifted manually, helping to get at what torque is available. The 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo is the same engine used to power Fiat 500 Abarth edition, while the 2.4-liter will power the R/T version. The 2013 Dodge Dart is expected to appear in showrooms in June 2012. Let us wait and see.

via Autoweek