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2013 Dart GT will hold us over until SRT stokes Dodge's handsome compact

No, this isn't quite the Dart SRT4 we've been waiting for - and still believe is coming - but as part of its 2013 Detroit Auto Show lineup, Dodge will be showing off the slightly sportier Dart GT seen here.
Building on the already well-equipped Limited model, the GT adds performance enhancements including a more powerful engine, 18-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension calibration, unique front fascia and dual exhaust. Inside, you'll find perforated Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel and front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start (if you spec the automatic transmission), Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, a seven-inch TFT display in the gauge cluster, and a whole lot more. Optional goodies include hyper black aluminum wheels, a technology group (pushbutton start, keyless go, rain-sensing wipers, blind spot monitoring and smart-beam headlamps), power sunroof, Sirius radio, Garmin navigation, Alpine premium sound and high-intensity discharge headlamps.
Powering the Dart GT is Chrysler's 2.4-liter MultiAir2 four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. That grunt is sent to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission, but a six-speed automatic 'box is optional.

Chrysler killing off the 200 Convertible, Dodge Avenger

When Chrysler rolled out the first-generation 200 to replace the Sebring range in 2010, it included replacements for both the sedan and the convertible. The Sebring Coupe, however, was left out of the mix. And now that the second-generation Chrysler 200 is descending upon us, Auburn Hills is paring things down even further. But this time, it's the convertible that reportedly isn't making the cut. Shame, too, since the rendering above shows what could have been quite an attractive droptop.
As our compatriots at Edmunds point out, sales of the convertible model accounted for less than five percent of overall Chrysler 200 sales, and at those numbers, the considerable cost of engineering a new drop-top couldn't be justified. With the Toyota Camry Solara and Volkswagen Eos also gone from the market (well, the VW isn't gone quite yet), the discontinuation of the Chrysler 200 Convertible leaves the affordable convertible segment largely to the sportier likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro and smaller European offerings like the Mini Cooper and VW Beetle.
The Chrysler 200 Convertible isn't the only derivative being left behind with the new model: so too is the Dodge Avenger. That will leave a glaring hole in the Dodge lineup, with nothing to bridge the gap between the compact Dart and the larger Charger. Whether the Dodge brand has any plans to replace the Avenger with another model, not to be based on the 200, remains to be seen.

FCA adds 88k Dodge Challengers to Takata inflator recall

The Takata airbag inflator recall from FCA US is growing 88,346 vehicles larger in the US after the company's discovery of the faulty parts in the 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger. The affected examples have production dates between September 19, 2007, and October 29, 2010, and the coupes need the replacement components on the driver's side. According to chronology posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF), the automaker was auditing the models covered under the campaign in July and "identified a population of vehicles that was inadvertently excluded." Initially, FCA believed these cars were using an unrecalled Takata inflator. The audit revealed that the affected cars indeed used a recalled version. As with the rest of the faulty parts, exposure to moisture can cause them to ignite too quickly during an airbag deployment and spray shrapnel at occupants. The problem has been linked to at least eight deaths worldwide and a vehicle fire in Japan. The Challenger wasn't previously part of FCA's 3.3-million unit national campaign or the subsequent expansion. According to FCA US the parts to complete the repairs in these Challengers aren't currently available. However, owners will be notified of the issue by mail starting August 14. They will receive a second notice when the parts become available. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Driver Side Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture Report Receipt Date: JUL 10, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V444000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 88,346 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) DODGE CHALLENGER 2008-2010 Details Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. CONSEQUENCE: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. REMEDY: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Parts to remedy the vehicles are not currently available. Interim notices will be mailed to owners beginning August 14, 2015.