Dodge Confirms Dart SRT AWD as Part of Performance Expansion
Dodge will add an all-wheel-drive SRT version to the Dart range, confirming plans for a performance-focused model as SRT is absorbed into the Dodge brand.
Dodge has confirmed that a high-performance SRT version of the Dart, equipped with all-wheel drive, will join its range as part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) five-year strategy. The move comes as SRT, previously a stand-alone performance division, is fully integrated into the Dodge brand.
The Dart SRT AWD will sit at the top of the Dart line-up, targeting buyers seeking a compact saloon with serious performance credentials. FCA’s plan calls for a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive system, though specific output figures and technical details remain under wraps. The SRT badge, long associated with high-powered Dodges, will now extend to a broader range of models as part of the brand’s repositioning.
SRT Integration and Model Updates
With SRT folded into Dodge, the brand will consolidate its performance offerings. The Dart SRT AWD is one element of this broader strategy, which also includes a facelifted Dodge Viper returning to the Dodge badge. The changes are intended to sharpen Dodge’s image as FCA’s performance marque in North America.
The facelifted Dart is set to bring revised styling, improved engine dynamics and a refreshed engine line-up. The SRT AWD will headline these changes, but Dodge also plans to update the standard Dart with new powertrains and features aimed at keeping the model competitive in a crowded segment.
Product Timeline and Future Models
The Dart SRT AWD is part of a wider product roll-out stretching to 2018. Dodge’s plans include a new D-segment crossover to replace the Journey, as well as next-generation versions of the Charger and Challenger. These models are expected to further reinforce Dodge’s focus on performance and design.
- Dart SRT AWD: performance saloon with all-wheel drive
- Facelifted Dart: revised styling and engines
- Viper returns to Dodge badge after SRT integration
- New Charger, Challenger and D-segment crossover planned
What It Means for the Dodge Dart
The Dart, launched in 2012 and sold in China as the Viaggio and Ottimo, has so far been offered as a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback. Adding an SRT AWD variant gives Dodge a direct rival to hot hatches and performance saloons such as the Ford Focus RS, which also features all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. The move is likely to appeal to buyers who want performance without moving up to larger or more expensive models.
No production or sales dates have been confirmed for the Dart SRT AWD, and Dodge has yet to reveal final specifications. The company’s approach signals a renewed push to compete in the performance compact segment, with the SRT badge now central to Dodge’s identity.
