One of the biggest (and smallest….) automotive stories of 2011 was the Fiat 500. There has been a lot of talk though about its failure to meet the lofty sales goals Fiat set for it. The company targeted 50,000 sales, with an overly-ambitious goal to beat the MINI right out of the gate. That was always a tall order. Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne admitted as much recently. MINI is established, has brand cachet, and even more key, multiple models. The 500 is one car and it was launched with a widely panned advertising campaign. We questioned recently why the Fiat brand would be relaunched for just one model, and we’re getting an answer to that with news of a five-door 500. The Detroit Free Press reports it will be making an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Word on that comes direct from Fiat CEO Olivier Francois. He says the car will be sold in the United States starting next year. Originally the five-door 500 was said to be U.S only, but that never made much sense. to us Fiat is a global company and this new car should be a global product. This five-door 500 has big implications for sales. We know that Americans traditionally have never been big fans of hatchbacks, but the slowest sellers among them are ones that have three-doors. Most Americans want four-doors plus the lift gate. The five-door iterations are always the best sellers. In fact, most don’t even offer a three-door. Mazda does with the 2 currently, but the five-door outsells it. There are different reports as to what new five-door Fiat will look like. Some say it will be a 500 with two extra doors, others say it will be a larger, different vehicle but with shared design cues. We think a 500 with two extra doors would do the trick in boosting sales both here and abroad. Related posts: Sergio Marchionne Says Fiat 500 Sales Goal Was “Naive” – You Think? Fiat 500 Marketing Mess: Chrysler Looks To Fix, Sales Actually Look Pretty Good Fiat 500 to Stand Alone in US Dealerships Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts The rest is here:  Five-Door Fiat 500 On The Way With Eye on Boosting Sales

Amazed. Flabbergasted. What other way is there to describe the ongoing situation at Saab? The company has fought tooth-and-nail for its survival over the past few years. Last year the final straw arrived when production came to a halt in Trollhattan. The Saab team tried over and over to secure new funding, but the company fell into bankruptcy. The reason it headed for bankruptcy and not purchase though was General Motors’ refusal to let any intellectual property fall into the hands of the Chinese. With warranty service suspended, sale of “as is” cars has begun at Saab dealers all over the country. Saab fans haven’t given up though. Comments in support of Saab have flooded General Motors’ Facebook page and fans are now holding rallies all over the world. We reported on that earlier this week – a “We are Saab” rally in the Netherlands turned out a remarkable amount of people . There is still a lot of goodwill and a rabid Saab fan base out there. The problem is they just don’t seem to buy any cars…but, we digress. Reuters reports that Youngman is preparing a new, $1 billion bid for Saab. The purchase would be for the company in an intact form, and it would aim to avoid IP issues with GM. Instead of trying to continue with the most recent GM-developed 9-5 and 9-4X, Youngman would try to get permission to continue with the older 9-3. Sources say the 9-3 would resume production at the Trollhattan plant 15 weeks after the signing of a deal. This means that Saab would have to soldier on just one product, the aged 9-3, until the new 9-3 arrives. In order to see the next-generation through to production, Youngman would have to put a significant amount of money behind the car and its Phoenix platform. It’s a risky plan, and given Saab’s history we aren’t getting our hopes up. The only thing that looks feasible based on this deal is a China-focused operation. The U.S-dealer network is dying off and we don’t see how it will survive until the arrival of any new product. Also the Saab name is very damaged here. These are all obstacles Youngman apparently thinks they can overcome. They better be well-funded or we’re going to have a repeat of this whole scenario again. That’s...

BMW got a lot of attention this past December with their “The Fastest Christmas Card In The World” web video. It featured the new M5, stunt driver Urs Inauen and Illustrator Gavin Patterson. What ensued was a Christmas card unlike we’ve any we’ve seen before….the result of 560 horsepower, says BMW. We caught up with Swiss stunt driver Urs Inauen to ask him a few questions about the shoot, the new M5 and his career in stunts. When did you first start working with BMW? Well, normally what I do is stunts for movies and stuff. I started working with a few different promotional and advertising agencies, and got in contact with an agency that does work for BMW here in Switzerland. I’ve done some other work with them, such as on the MINI Eat Snow Campaign. So how did you get involved with this particular shoot, it is something the creative team came up with? Yeah. The business is short call, which means you have to be ready on short notice and they needed a highly trained professional stunt driver for that job, so they selected me. They first let me know about the shoot a week before we shot it, and the location a day before. The track [Circuit de l’anneau du rhin] is in France, about 30 minutes from the border and 2 1/2 hours from where I live. It is 3 kilometers long. The experience was a lot of fun. It was fun working with an artist next to me, and interesting because the idea was to display the power of the car on camera and show the viewer how much G forces that car can take. The car (BMW M5) is a beast (in a good way) with its 560 horsepower, and really good at drifting. It also is very smooth and elegant when you drive it normal. Man we almost get nauseous just watching it; can only imagine if we were in the car and trying to draw…. Yes, the Illustrator (Patterson) actually was getting a bit sick. I really tried to shake him, I wasn’t driving clean or within the lines or anything, aiming to shake the car and slide around. Our top speed was around 220-250 k/mh…high speed wasn’t the goal. When did you first get involved in stunt work? I started in 2007, so about four years ago. I started doing some stunt work here, and then I went out to California [Los Angeles]. A friend helped out and I went into training,...

These days, crossovers outnumber true sport-utility vehicles by a significant margin. Body-on-frame names like the Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango and the upcoming Nissan Pathfinder have switched over to unibody platforms. Chevrolet also ditched the Colorado-based Trailblazer a few years ago. Crossovers are referred to as SUVs now, but their capabilities are very different despite outward appearances. No doubt, the class of mid-size BOFs SUVs is a dying breed. Most soccer moms never touched any of the capabilities these trucks offered. Some buyers really have a need for this type of a vehicle though. As such, it makes a lot more sense to make a model tailored to the needs of these buyers. At Nissan that is exactly what its happening, with the BOF Xterra set to remain in the lineup. The Xterra is currently based on the Frontier truck platform. We’ll be honest, we totally forgot about the Frontier. It such a nonentity in the truck market; its clear it needs some investment in order to be more of a player. Even though they haven’t met much success, Nissan appears to be in the truck market to stay. Car and Driver says the Frontier/Xterra arrangement will continue, as Nissan seeks a rounded, well-differentiated lineup. The current Xterra offers excellent off-roading ability and that is its biggest attraction. The downside with BOF is reduced refinement, but we’d wager most Xterra buyers don’t care. The Xterra could be made a lot more exciting to look at though and we could see a high-performance off-road iteration generating a bit of excitement. For the foreseeable future, the Toyota 4Runner should be the Xterra’s main competition. In Thailand, General Motors has relaunched the Chevrolet Trailblazer, but it hasn’t been confirmed for sale in the United States. For now the remaining players have it easy; there isn’t much competition for a mid-size SUV in this category. Related posts: SEMA 2008: Nissan GT-R Heaven 2011 Nissan GT-R Upgraded 2012 Nissan Commercial Van Lineup to Start at $24,590 Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts View original here:  Nissan Xterra To Carry BOF Torch

Among the rich and famous, Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars have always been a preferred mode of transportation. These are cars that no one else can afford. You can be a luxury pretender with ownership of a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, thanks to entry-level models. Prestige is garnered by years at the top. Maybach was Mercedes-Benz’ effort to break into this market, which has two establishes players. As most of us probably know, it didn’t go as well as Mercedes had oped. Quite a few celebrities jumped on board with the car though, and according to Automotive News , Bentley is making an effort to go after them. Bentley Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Duerheimer said as much at the Detroit auto show: “The withdrawal of Maybach is a business opportunity for us and we’re going to use it.” Rolls-Royce was less zealous: “We naturally welcome any current Maybach customers…..but seeking them out and hunting them down is not the Rolls-Royce way.” Duerheimer says he’s hearing from Maybach customers, and they feel abandoned. Analysts think that these buyers wanted something more exclusive than a Mercedes-Benz in the first place, and won’t be heading back to the more plebeian brand. To win them over, Bentley is inviting high-profile customers to its factory in Crewe, England for a VIP tour. It isn’t clear if this offer is being extended to Maybach owners going years back, ones recently are just a certain select few. 200 Maybachs were sold last year, but a whole lot more than that was sold over the car’s lifespan, making it a potentially big market opportunity. What’s more than the actual sales too is product placement from high-profile customers. Maybach owners include the Sultan of Brunei, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and the Spanish monarchy. If a good percentage move over to Bentleys thanks to a letter writing campaign by the CEO and a few VIP trips to England, it will definitely be more cost effective than any advertising campaign. Related posts: Mercedes-Benz Kills Maybach; Plans For S600 Pullman Acura to Rival Bentley, Maybach Daimler Weighs Future of Maybach Brand Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Go here to read the rest:  Bentley Sees Opportunity Amid Maybach Closure

History has held that the only successful mini car in the United States has incidentally been the MINI. BMW’s smallest car line has thrived with an ever-expanding lineup that includes the recently-introduced Countryman small crossover. It is MINI’s largest model, but is still diminutive. Fans of European small cars rejoiced last year when the Fiat 500 went on sale. It has been an interesting ride ever since. The 500 is aimed squarely at the MINI; the company has made that clear. Rather than capitalize on Chrysler’s dealer network with the 500 though, the decision was made to relaunch the Fiat brand. That means a network of new Fiat Studio dealers was assembled, with just one product to sell. It was a curious decision. What was most puzzling though was the 500′s lofty sales goals: 50,000 units. That’s more than the MINI, and more than anyone in the industry thought Fiat could shift right out of the gate. It was a move sure to set the little car up for failure, and Fiat-Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne is now being candid about it. “It was a number that we said would be in excess of what Mini was selling in the United States. It was that simple….we set ourselves up for a fall…the future of Fiat is exactly the same as when we launched it.” said Marchionne to CNNMoney . That means everything is still on track for U.S launch. It isn’t clear if anything else is going to be sold here with the Fiat badge though, or what is the state of the company’s plans with Alfa Romeo. It all seems incredibly haphazard. Amid this, 19,769 Fiat 500s were sold last year, and that actually isn’t too bad. Marchionne said that the 500 is profitable at that level of U.S sales, thanks to the exportation of Mexican-built of 500s to China and South America. Marchionne targets 25,000-30,000 U.S sales this year, something that is much more attainable, especially with the Abarth coming online. Now if they could only figure out a coherent advertising campaign…. Related posts: Fiat 500 Marketing Mess: Chrysler Looks To Fix, Sales Actually Look Pretty Good American Fiat Fans Get First Crack at Special 500 When the Fiat 500 Meets Mopar Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original...

Today at High Gear Media, we introduced a new video section and Porsche’s CEO says no to a small roadster. Chrysler is bringing back diesel engines and we spy a 2013 BMW M6 Grand Coupe. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on The Car Connection. We took a look at six ways to end distracted driving. Tesla confirmed the Model S is on… Read the original here:  2013 Ford Fusion, Tesla Model S, Chrysler Diesels: Today’s Car News

Saab is currently winding through its bankruptcy process. Steel and industrial commodities are being sold off, and the final 100 cars are being built on the production line. This is par for the course for a bankrupt company; administrators in charge are trying to raise the maximum amount of capital. In the midst of all of this, there are some people out there still holding out hope that the brand will be saved. In fact, there is a worldwide effort going on right now to build awareness about Saab. Over 100 rallies are being staged in 42 (!) countries! One of these “We are Saab” events was held this past weekend in the Netherlands – it attracted 1600 Saabs and 3800 visitors, causing many traffic jams in the area. Craziness – planners say it was a turnout far beyond what they had ever imagined. Former Chief Executive Officer Victor Mueller addressed the crowd about Saab and pumped them up about the possibilities for its future. Hearing him tell it, there are parties with “deep pockets” interested in the company – intact. Somehow we doubt that will happen, but if anything could persuade a potential buyer that Saab has loyal fans, these rallies would have to be it. There is an excitement about that effort among fans, but a damper has been put on it with news about the liquidation of museum cars. Delphi, the Swedish company in charge of liquidation, has announced that Saab’s entire vehicle inventory is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. This includes historic vehicles, prototypes and concepts. There is years of Saab history in this collection, and Saab enthusiasts are mobilizing to prevent these cars from falling into wrong hands. Normally vehicles like this would be displayed in a museum. There is one already, but its future is uncertain. The City of Trollhattan and a company called Innovatum are reportedly trying to reach a deal to save it. Over at SaabsUnited , fans are identifying the cars that are “must buys”. A short list of 11 has been made, but there is a whole lot more in the collection. Enthusiasts are contacting Saab’s administrator to see how the purchase process works. The end goal is to have the purchasers come together to create some sort of private museum if the existing ones can’t...

A few days ago, we reported news about the status of Volkswagen’s BlueSport concept. After hearing about its eventual production ever since the North American International Auto Show in 2009, it appears its debut is on hold. The BlueSport has been developed, but VW apparently doesn’t think it can find enough buyers to make the business plan work. We still think the roadster will see the light of day when all is said and done, but more ominous news comes about the project from Porsche. There has long been an assumption that three roadsters would be based on the new VW Group platform: Audi R4, VW BlueSport and a Porsche small roadster. The Porsche model would be a modern 914 of sorts, slotting in below the Boxster. It would be part of a plan to boost Porsche’s global sales. New models are in the works for Porsche as the brand aims to increase sales – the small crossover Cajun is up next. Automotive News reports that a small Porsche’s platform variant, like the VW, has been delayed. Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller spoke to a German business magazine Wirtschaftswoche, saying: ”Possibly we need to wait until the next generation of customers before the idea of a small roadster will work for Porsche.” Next generation of customers? What is that supposed to mean? In February Matthias made more positive comments about Porsche’s consideration of the idea. AN says the worry is over the roadster “diluting Porsche’s image.” We think if the brand is adding cars that aren’t inherently sporting in nature, like the Cajun, it should be adding enthusiast-aimed vehicles as well. Matthias did say a new range-topping model is on its way though, to slot in above the 911. Whether or not this is a mid-engined model, a la Carrera GT or a front-engined successor to the 928 GT. We should be hearing more about the small roadster’s status as well as the new range-topper soon. Related posts: Report Says “550″ Mid-Engined Porsche Could Be Next Addition To Lineup Surprise Reveal: 2013 Porsche Boxster New Porsche Model In the Works? Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read more from the original source:  Modern Porsche 914 On Hold

In the auto industry, Hyundai fits the overachiever bill nicely. The company’s lineup has been transformed from a lackluster group of vehicles to some of the top performing cars in their classes. One snickered at, no one is doing that now. Now the race is on in the industry to produce fuel-efficient vehicles, ones that will help manufacturers hit tough Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements. They are being amped up, with car companies required to hit 36 mpg CAFE by 2016 and 54.5 mpg by 2025. Those numbers will undoubtedly be helped by higher numbers of hybrids, electrics and range-extended electric vehicles on the market. While everyone is scrambling to get ready for the 2016 milestone, Hyundai has quietly hit that goal in 2011 – five years early. How is that for over-achieving? Hyundai’s lineup of efficient cars powered by four-cylinder engines (Sonata ditched a six, for instance) has helped it to hit the target. It’s important to note that CAFE figures are determined based on mileage estimates released by Environmental Protection Agency. Meaning, 36 mpg is far from the true average mileage of Hyundai’s 2011 fleet. Activist group Consumer Watchdog is petitioning the EPA over this, trying to get them to retest the Elantra. They say the car isn’t capable of hitting its 29 city/40 mpg highway mark in real life driving. Hyundai says it is likely due to these people being urban drivers, and a vocal minority. Chief Executive officer John Krafcik commented on the situation, saying: “We’re not sure who the vocal people are, and who might be representing the vocal people, but we do know this: In a very large (sample) survey by J.D. Power of 2011 car buyers the Elantra got better real-world fuel economy than any other competitor.” To try to rectify the situation, dealers are reaching out to customers unhappy with mileage to give them efficiency tips. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts More here: Hyundai Smashes 2016 CAFE Target – In 2011

When you think of braking systems, Brembo usually comes up as a point of reference. The Italian company has clearly made a name for itself and penetrated into overall automotive culture. Brembo is a supplier to wide range of manufacturers, including performance and exotic makes like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani and Porsche. General Motors has worked with Brembo frequently on its latest offering. Brembo brakes are fitted on the Cadillac CTS-V lineup, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Camaro ZL1/SS and the Buick Regal GS. With an ever-expanding list of clients to tend to, Brembo has opened a new manufacturing facility in Homer, Michigan. Hooray for U.S manufacturing! Brembo has announced that the first braking systems produced at the plant will be destined for the 2012 Cadillac ATS and XTS full-size sedan. These two cars are key to Cadillac’s future sales growth, occupying spots at the top and bottom of the lineup. For the ATS, which is taking it directly to the BMW 3-Series, performance credentials are a key part of the equation. The units are four-piston, two-piece calipers constructed from aluminum to save weight. Don’t expect the traditional red or yellow caliper coloring on the Cadillacs though. The ATS’ calipers will be painted in black, while the XTS will get anodized black. Bright colors should at least be an option on the ATS. We think that would enhance its sporting appeal and provide another dimension of color customization. Orange, yellow, red, black – it’d be pretty cool. But, we digress. Cadillac is clearly walking the talk with the ATS; it is serious about performance in every aspect. As if the CTS-V lineup wasn’t enough to prove they were serious already! The relentless focus on performance for the standard ATS has us looking forward to what is in store for the ATS-V. Bring it on! Related posts: 2013 Cadillac XTS, CUE To Debut at LA Auto Show Next Month Detroit: 2013 Cadillac ATS Is New Frontier for Cadillac 2013 Cadillac ATS Will Offer 2.0-Liter Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Go here to see the original: 2013 Cadillac ATS, XTS To Be Fitted With First U.S-Built Brembo Brakes

A Volkswagen mid-engined roadster has been in the news for years. Its one of those stories that never dies. A lot more credence came to the idea three years ago when VW debuted the BlueSport Concept at the North American International Show. It was remarkably ready for production. Since its introduction, we’ve heard about its possibilities for production. Three models would be based on a new mid-engined platform; the VW BlueSport, a proposed Audi R4 and a Porsche model to slot in below the Boxster. The latest news on the BlueSport is that production has been put on hold; according to Autocar the business plan isn’t working out. We’ve heard this before too. To make it feasible, Volkswagen says the BlueSport needs to sell 50,000 units a year. Whether that is a global number or not isn’t clear. If it was globally that seems like a doable goal. Now, United States only? Not so much – 50,000 a year is definitely a stretch. We think the BlueSport would be a great addition to the VW lineup; a niche model to draw interest. Especially with VW watering down its core models to appeal to the mainstream, excitement is needed. We aren’t buying the volume argument necessarily either. More variants on the platform means more sales and economies of scale. Audi has green lighted the R4; while Porsche is studying its own variation. Porsche would want its car to be well differentiated from its VW Group stablemates. In addition, they are worried about the possibilities of it infringing on the Boxster’s territory. It could be too close for comfort. We’re sure Porsche would rather cannablize itself than have Audi do it with the R4 though. Still, that car’s future is up in the air. Regarding the BlueSport VW says the car is engineered and ready to go, but just on hold. Somehow, we think the car will see the light of day. Just a guess though. Related posts: Production of the Volkswagen BlueSport Hits a Snag VW-Porsche-Audi To Share Eco Platform VW BlueSport Concept To See Production? Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Original post:  Volkswagen BlueSport On Hold

The 2013 model year marks 60 years of Chevrolet Corvette production. It also marks 60 years of Corvette production. 60 years of an icon can’t go unrecognized, and Chevy isn’t letting it. To commemorate the occasion, Chevy has announced a new 427 Collector Edition as well as a 60th Anniversary package available across the lineup. The Corvette has been no stranger to option packages and special editions over the years. The 427 Collector has Z06 power without the badge, and therefore is the fastest, as the the Z06 and ZR1 aren’t available in convertible form. These cars also mark a sendoff of sorts for the sixth-generation C6. A new C7 is on its way for the 2014 model year, and no it isn’t going to do anything radical like switch to a mid-engined layout. Visually, the 427 Collector Edition is differentiated by darkened headlights, exclusive 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inchers out back, along with a carbon fiber raised hood and fenders. The 427 Collector Edition is powered by – what else – the 427 cubic inch V-8 from the Z06. It makes 505 horsepower and 470 pound feet of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Chevrolet says that makes it the most capable series production Corvette drop top ever. Underneath the skin are components from the Z06, including its driveline, rear suspension and Magnetic Ride Control system. 0-60 arrives in 3.8 seconds, and quarter mile in 11.8. Top speed exceeds 190 mph. The 60th Anniversary package includes – let me guess – special badging. “60″ badging adorns the interior steering wheel and seats, as well as the exterior wheel caps. Further setting the Anniversary cars apart is an Arctic White exterior paired with grey brake calipers, and interior suede and leather accents in Blue Diamond. Optional is a graphics package that we think is a must for spicing up the Corvette’s exterior looks. The 427 Convertible is scheduled to debut at the famous Barrett Jackson auto auction on January 21st, with deliveries beginning this summer. Related posts: A Happy Anniversary: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Centennial Limited Edition 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition Corvette Auction Proceeds go to Haiti Earthquake Relief Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts...

So far, Tesla has been executing its planned strategy pretty well. The company said all along the goal was to produce lower cost vehicles; the first car would be expensive and then prices would slowly trickle downward as costs tumbled. Just one small problem: no money has been made yet. Tesla is hoping to change that with the Model S when it arrives this year. The Roadster was Tesla’s first product, so it will always hold a certain cachet. Instead of keeping the Roadster in the lineup alongside the Model S (and upcoming Model X) though, the car is being phased out. That is thanks to a NHSTA exemption for low-volume automakers expiring, along with a lapse in the contract with Lotus to produce the “gliders”, as they are known. Lotus has been responsible for production of the Roadster, assembling and building the cars sans their electric powertrains. Body parts are shipped from France to the United Kingdom where they are assembled by Lotus. Then, the assembled cars are sent to either either Palo Alto, California or a facility in UK where Tesla installs the electric powertrain. We’ve already seen the last of the Roadsters sold here in the United States, but a few continents get it for a while longer into 2012. They include Europe, Asia and Australia. For its final run, Tesla has made the Roadster more suitable to extreme climates. The motor and inverter systems have been revised to perform better in cold snow climates, and inside there is a new, beefed up air conditioning system to better handle the heat. Other changes include a rear snow cover, new front windshield seals to increase quietness, and Xenon headlights (apparently a first for the Roadster). Finally, there is three new colors – Cosmic Black, Galactic Gray and Magma Orange. 1,800 roadsters have been sold since production began, and Tesla is said to be preparing a new car, based on the Model S’ platform. That new Roadster is expected to surface in 2014. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Original post: Tesla Updates Roadster For Final International Run

Hype can either make your break you. Some cars actually live up to it; the Chevrolet Volt and the Cadillac ATS at first glance appear to be two models that have. Others don’t, such as the 2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept. There has been a lot of rumors about the 2013 Dodge Dart being best-in-class. It is Alfa Romeo based, and it is the first global product developed after the Fiat-Chrysler partnership began. Dodge had the advantage of using an international parts bin to create an all-new entry into this segment. Previous entries from Dodge haven’t ranked very well – Neon and Caliber come to mind. With a drastically more competitive all-around package than ever before, the Dart should escape that fate. The awkward designs of both cars have been replaced by a much cleaner but still distinctly Dodge look, which offers up no hints of the Alfa Romeo basis underneath. The Dart is based on the Giulietta, but is bigger in a few key dimensions. Unfortunately for Dodge, we have to give the styling win to the Giulietta. There are some awkward angles on the Dart – the direct front and rear are fine but the profile is not our cup of tea. The R/T, with its darkened headlights, looks the best, but it is the top-shelf trim level. Most of the Darts you see running around won’t be of the R/T variety. It’s just a bit underwhelming. Part of the reason could be that its so smooth and aerodynamic – almost 1990s in appearance. That is due to an intense focus on achieving a good coefficient of drag. That is all down to providing better fuel economy, so there are tradeoffs you have to make to do that. Based on exterior styling, we’d definitely rather have it than the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. It just doesn’t best (more expensive) segment leaders like the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus. Inside, the Dart’s trump card is its lighting and technology. If you so choose the Dart can have customizable lighting in the cup holders, center console storage, foot wells, door handles, map pockets and glove box. The main element is the red lighting that surrounds the upper instrument panel. It is designed to look like a racetrack at night. The gauges are customizable if you opt for a 7-inch TFT screen in place of traditional instruments. Moving...