10 Classic Cars Versus Their Modern Iterations

Photo by FCA: Corporate

10. Dodge Dart

The downsizing of the Dodge Dart is not something we can put on Fiat, who played a large role in the making of the new Dart. Introduced as a slightly smaller fullsize car in 1960, it was downgraded to a midsize car in 1962, and jumped into the compact segment for the 1963 model year. Today’s Dart may not offer an American V8, or traditional rear wheel drive, but it does in fact stick to the original intention of offering a smaller, lightweight compact, yet capable car. It can be said that the Fiat-built Dart is merely a successor to the Dodge Neon, and in some respects it is just that, with the exception of the performance oriented Dodge Neon SRT4 that shattered expectations when it landed in 2004. The new Dart is available with a 1.4 turbo delivering 40+ MPG and that desirable whistle, or 2.0 and 2.4 engines with more low end torque. While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has rumored many times at a replacement for the SRT4, the word on the street is its going to happen with All Wheel Drive, a 6 speed manual transmission, and a turbocharged 4 cylinder carrying a minimum of 2.0 liters of displacement. If the rumor mill has any truth to it, this SRT4 has the potential to go above and beyond the Neon SRT4 by embarrassing more than just the WRX owners.But for now, we are forced to simply sit back and wait.