Suspecting it has a winner on its hands, Chrysler is giving the 2013 Dodge Dart a slow reveal that would make Gypsy Rose Lee wonder what's taking so long. Next up: the new dash, sporting what's becoming a trademark Dodge "racetrack" of light.



Reversing a trend toward one-size-fits-all option sets, Dodge claims the Dart will offer "12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions." (No, not all at once.) The center of the dash -- which continues the red racetrack theme -- can be dominated by a 8.4-inch touchscreen with an updated version of Chrysler's UConnect system. The tech extends to the safety side, where Chrysler says the Dart will get 10 airbags and rear blind-spot cameras.
dfAll this means two things. One, Chrysler is confident enough in its turnaround to sell a tech-laden new model even though its track record for tech and quality has been mixed in recent years. And while at least one style of Dart will have to get a low starting price to remain competitive, Chrysler's aiming the car at the same higher-end compact car shopper chased by Hyundai, Volkswagen and its Detroit rivals -- something Chrysler hasn't been able to accomplish in years.