Press Kit: 2013 Dodge Dart

Auburn Hills, Mich. January 8, 2012 - Safety and security were at the forefront in the development of the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart. The new Dart was engineered with more than 60 available safety and security features, all designed to give drivers and passengers peace of mind when traveling. The Dodge Dart starts with a strong foundation constructed with 68-percent high-strength steel. Engineers then added both active and passive safety features. Among them, 10 standard airbags, which is unsurpassed in the compact car segment. They include:

• Dual-stage, adaptive venting, front driver and passenger air bags
• Front-seat-mounted pelvic and thorax air bags
• Rear-seat-mounted pelvic air bags
• Front driver and passenger knee air bags
• All-row side-curtain air bags

The 2013 Dodge Dart is the only car in its class to offer Rear Cross Path Detection.

The Dart also features standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes on all models, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, available ParkView® rear back-up camera that displays on an 8.4-inch touchscreen monitor and ParkSense® rear park assist. These features and more all work to protect passengers in the event of a crash. Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) allow for a child safety seat to be placed in any of the three rear seating positions.

Standard and available safety and security features on the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart include:

• All-speed traction control system: Part of the standard anti-lock brake system (ABS), helps keep driving wheels from spinning during acceleration from a stop or during all speeds by applying individual brakes alone or in combination with engine torque limitation to prevent wheel slip
• Anti-lock, four-channel braking system: Senses and prevents wheel lockup independently at all four wheels, offering improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions. The four-channel system monitors the speed of each wheel individually and allows individual wheel braking for superior control, as well as provides backup braking in the unlikely event that one of the two braking circuits would fail. (Four-wheel disc brakes standard on all models)
• Auto-dimming rear view mirror: Detects and reduces glare from rearward headlamps without driver intervention
• Automatic headlamps: Detects dim driving conditions or when the Dodge Dart is being driven in a tunnel and turns on the headlamps without driver intervention
• Automatic Humidity Sensor: Enables the Dodge Dart’s automatic temperature control (ATC) system to measure humidity inside the vehicle and provide a fog-free windshield automatically without driver intervention
• Belt Alert: Activates a chime and/or illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver and front passenger to buckle up if the Dodge Dart is driven without belted front-seat occupants
• Blind-spot Monitoring: Uses dual ultra-wideband radar sensors to aid the driver when changing lanes or if being passed by or passing unseen vehicles. The system notifies the driver of a vehicle in their blind spot via illuminated icons on the side-view mirror and with a driver-selected audible chime
• Brake Assist: In an emergency brake situation, the system applies maximum braking power, minimizing the stopping distance
• Brake-lock differential system (BLDS): Allows the vehicle to maintain forward motion if one or two wheels lose traction by selectively and aggressively applying brakes to the spinning wheels
• Brake Override: When a disagreement exists between the throttle and the brake, the brake signal causes the engine controller to reduce engine power, allowing the operator to stop the Dodge Dart
• Brake/Park interlock: Prevents the Dodge Dart from being shifted out of “Park” unless the brake pedal is applied
• Brake-traction control system (BTCS): Helps to keep driving wheels from spinning during acceleration from a stop or during slow speeds by applying individual brakes to the slipping wheel(s)
• Child-protection rear door locks: Disables the rear doors’ inside-release handle by adjusting a small lever on the door-shut face
• Driver’s side knee air bag: Located below the instrument panel, the knee air bag deploys when the driver air bag deploys and is designed to properly position the occupant during impact and offer additional lower leg protection
• Dual-stage front air bags: Inflate with a force appropriate to the severity of the impact. In addition, the Dart’s passenger air bag is designed to deploy at varying inflation rated based on the occupant’s position. Both meet FMVSS 208 advanced air bag requirements for smaller, out-of-position occupants
• Electronic brake-force distribution: Assists the driver to optimize stopping distances and control under all vehicle loading conditions by regulating braking pressure front-to-rear
• Electronic roll mitigation (ERM): An extension of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Uses input from ESC sensors to anticipate if the vehicle is at risk of entering a potential roll situation then reacts immediately, applying the brakes individually and modulating throttle position as needed to attempt avoiding a roll situation
• Electronic stability control (ESC): Enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability under all conditions. Provides the benefit in critical driving situations, such as turns, and is valuable when driving on mixed surface conditions, including snow, ice or gravel. If there is a discernible difference between driver input through the steering wheel and the Dart’s path, ESC applies selective braking and throttle input to guide the Dart back on to the driver’s intended path
• Emergency trunk release: A glow-in-the-dark release handle that may be activated in the event of an adult or child being inadvertently trapped inside the trunk
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS): Makes it easier for emergency personnel to see and reach occupants in the event of an accident by turning on the interior lighting and unlocking doors after air bag deployment. Also shuts off flow of fuel to the engine
• Express up/down power windows: One-touch powered express up/down window button located on the driver and front passenger doors
• Front and rear crush zones: Designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy from an impact, which decreases transfer of that energy to occupants
• Front passenger knee air bag: Located below the instrument panel, the knee air bag deploys when the passenger air bag deploys and is designed to properly position the occupant during impact and offer additional lower leg protection
• Front seat-belt active load limiters: Designed to optimize the chest loading in an impact event
• Front seat-belt pretensioners: During a collision, impact sensors initiate front seat-belt pretensioners to remove slack in the seat belt system, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant’s head and torso
• Front-seat-mounted air bags: Deploy for enhanced thorax protection during a side impact
  • Head restraints: Included at all three rear seat positions
• High-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps: Provide approximately three times the light output of conventional reflector lamps for improved nighttime illumination
• High-strength steel, 68 percent: Hot stamped-, high-strength- and ultra-high-strength steel are used to construct a lightweight, modern solid vehicle architecture
• Hill-start Assist: Prevents the Dodge Dart from rollback and assists drivers when starting from a stop on a hill by maintaining the level of brake pressure applied for a short period of time after a driver’s foot is removed from the brake pedal
• Intrusion alarm (Ultrasonic Intrusion Alarm): The ultrasonic intrusion alarm provides an increased level of security beyond a traditional alarm. The intrusion sensor monitors glass breakage, vehicle shock (bumping) and vehicle attitude (towing) changes
• Keyless Enter ’n Go: When an individual enters the Dodge Dart, electronic sensors detect if the vehicle key fob is present. This will then allow the individual to push a button to start the Dodge Dart without having to insert the key into the ignition (The driver must apply the brake pedal when starting the car). The sensors also allow the deck lid to open without use of pressing the key fob
• LATCH: is designed to ease installation of compatible aftermarket child seats
• LED taillamps: Provide dual function illumination (brake, stop, turn and running light functions) with harmonious and consistent illumination throughout the taillamp due to individual illumination points
• Lock on Sync tire pressure monitors: Tire pressure monitoring system self-learns tire position after rotation or if tire is moved to a new location
• Navigation system: Easy-to-use maps with audible turn-by-turn directions, more than 6 million points of interest and lane guidance
• Occupant Restraint Controller: Detects an impact and determines whether a crash is severe enough to trigger air bag deployment and whether the primary or secondary stage inflation is sufficient. In addition, the controller detects side impacts and determines whether the rail-curtain and side seat-mounted (thorax protection) airbags should deploy. Engagement of front seat-belt pretensioners are also managed through the controller
• ParkSense rear park assist: Assists at low speeds in reverse to detect stationary objects. Consists of audible warnings for the driver and has a display in the instrument cluster’s Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
• ParkView rear backup camera: Provides a wide-angle view on the navigation screen of the area immediately behind the Dodge Dart, giving the driver greater peace of mind before reversing at low speeds. The display features grid lines to help the driver when maneuvering into parking spaces or narrow areas. The image is displayed on the 8.4-inch touch screen when the transmission is shifted into Reverse
• Rain-sensitive wipers: A driver convenience feature that automatically senses moisture on the Dart’s windshield and activates wipers
• Rainy Brake Support: The system uses the ESC pump to occasionally push brake pads lightly against brake rotors in rainy conditions in order to keep rotors dry and assure maximum braking performance under wet conditions
• Reactive head restraints: Activate in the event of a rear collision. Restraints are designed to reduce injuries by minimizing the gap between the head restraint and the passenger’s head
• Ready Alert Braking: The system anticipates situations when the driver may initiate an emergency brake stop and uses the ESC pump to set brake pads against rotors in order to decrease the time required for full brake application
• Rear Cross Path Detection: In parking lot situations, this system warns drivers backing out of parking spaces of traffic moving toward their vehicle. It activates any time the Dodge Dart is in Reverse. The driver is notified of vehicle(s) crossing behind the vehicle via illuminated icons on the side-view mirror and with a driver-selected audible chime
• Rear-seat-mounted air bags: Deploy for enhanced pelvis protection during a side impact
• Remote keyless entry: Locks and unlocks doors and turns on interior lamps. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional security alarm, the remote also arms and disarms that system
• Safety cage body structure: Protects occupants by managing and controlling energy in the event of an impact
• Security alarm: Deters vandalism and theft, frequently lowering insurance premiums. System protects the vehicle from theft by monitoring door-ajar switches and the ignition circuit for unauthorized entry
• Sentry Key® engine immobilizer: Uses a key fob that has an embedded transponder with a pre-programmed security code to shut off the engine after a few seconds and discourage vehicle theft
• Side-curtain air bags: Full-length side-curtain air bags extend protection to all outboard front- and rear-seat passengers. Each side air bag has its own impact sensors that autonomously trigger the air bag on the side where an impact occurs. This type of air bag is housed in the headliner just above the side windows
• Side guard door beams: In front and rear doors provide occupant protection during a side impact
• SiriusXM Travel Link: Provides passengers with real-time information and entertainment to make every trip more efficient and safe
• SmartBeam® headlamps: Headlamp system adjusts to ambient light and oncoming traffic to deliver maximum lighting
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering column: Allows steering column to tilt and move toward or away from the driver to achieve a safe and comfortable distance from the advanced multi-stage front driver air bag, if deployed
• Three-point seat belts at all positions: Front and all rear seating positions have lap and shoulder belts
• Tire-pressure monitoring system: Informs driver when tire pressure is too low. Pressure-sensor modules within the valve stems of all four road wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver and the system
• Trailer-sway control: Reduces trailer sway and improves handling in adverse towing conditions caused by crosswinds and traffic. The system monitors the vehicle’s movement relative to the driver’s intended path, then applies alternating brake pressure to slow the vehicle and then increases the pressure on one front wheel in order to counteract the sway induced by the trailer
• Turn signals on exterior mirrors: Visually signals other drivers warning of a turn or lane change
  • Uconnect Touch: Integrates world-class infotainment and convenience technologies to keep passengers connected, comfortable and safe
•  Uconnect Voice Command: An in-vehicle, voice-activated communication system that allows drivers to operate a Bluetooth® compatible phone with their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. When the Bluetooth phone is initially connected, the contact list is automatically downloaded, synchronizing as many as 1,000 phone book entries, which can then be selected by simply saying a contact name. It also allows drivers to switch radio modes, tune to AM/FM and SiriusXM Satellite Radio stations and request real-time information (such as fuel prices) from SiriusXM Travel Link using natural voice commands. The handsfree option promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility