Before I write a new car review, I like to do some background
research — which helps provide context and hopefully makes the
published review informative. Well, I found some interesting
information while doing some background research on the new Dodge
Dart. Actually, the information concerned the old Dodge Dart —
last sold new in 1976.
That year, Dodge offered a high-mileage version of the Dart
called the Dart Lite (the Plymouth Duster version was called
Feather Duster). To be precise, it was an option package that
included a specially tuned version of the famous “slant six” 225
cubic inch engine, teamed up with an overdriven four-speed manual
and a mileage-minded 2.94:1 rear axle ratio (vs. the standard car’s
3.21:1 ratio). Also included were lightweight body parts such as an
aluminum hood and trunk lid bracing — which cut about 200 pounds
of deadweight off the already-lightweight car. The result was 36
MPG on the highway.
The package added $51 to the cost of a ‘76 Dart — which had a
base price of about $3,300.
Now for some context:
The new Dodge Dart — a much smaller car, equipped with a much
smaller four-cylinder engine — gets exactly the same 36 MPG on the
highway as the ‘76 Dart Lite/Feather Duster. This is startling,
given the new Dart has the benefit of almost four decades of
engineering advances — including such things as a six-speed manual
transmission, direct port fuel injection, and vastly better
aerodynamics. Yet the 2013 car only manages to match the mileage of
the 1976 car — a much larger car, with a much larger engine fed by
a carburetor and without even an Atari-level computer running the
show.
This is seriously sad. Tragic, even. It’s also a measure of how
much progress hasn’t been made since the mid-1970s as regards
vehicle design. Or rather, a measure of how much progress in
engineering and design has been obviated, negated or otherwise
rendered “net zero gain” (or loss) by government diktats.
Everything from weight-adding “safety” diktats to
thou-must-burn-corn-alcohol-laced fuel diktats (which have reduced
the fuel efficiency of new cars by 3-4 MPG, on average, relative to
what they’d otherwise achieve if they were fed 100 percent
gasoline).
Consider:
The old Dart — a mid-sized car by modern standards — weighed
about 2,700 lbs.
The new (2013) Dart — a compact-sized car — weighs 3,186
lbs.
That’s about 500 pounds of additional deadweight — in a car
that’s more than a foot shorter overall than the old model (183.9
inches for the ‘13 vs. 196 inches for the ‘76) and which is FWD and
four-cylinder powered vs. rear-drive and six-cylinder powered.
The new Dart also has a starting price of $15,995.
Let’s call it $16k to make the math easier — vs. $13,554 (and
change) in inflation-adjusted terms for the 1976 Dart.
So, to sum up:
For about $2,441 more — the price of a new Dart vs. the
cost-when-new of a ‘76 Dart — you get the exact same 36 MPG.
Ah, progress!
Now, to be fair, the new Dart has amenities (including
touch-screen electronics and a really top-drawer audio system) the
‘76 Dart never even thought about. Climate control AC — vs.
wing-vent windows. Four-wheel-disc brakes, with power-assist — vs.
four wheel drum brakes, without.
Etc.
The new Dart will also probably run reliably for longer, simply
by dint of the much-improved manufacturing techniques and quality
control that are now industry standard. That means eventually,
you’ll probably make up the $2,441 extra you had to pay (relative
to the ‘76) in longer useful service life. You might get 15 years
out of a new Dart — while a ‘76 would probably have discorporated
due to rust long before then. And the new model has the legs
(courtesy of its more favorable gearing and vastly superior
aerodynamics) to cruise comfortably at 90 — vs.
feeling-like-you’re already-pushing-it at 75.
Still, the fact remains: We’ve taken two steps back for every
three forward — and perhaps not even that. When considered in the
context of the 1976 Dart, the 2013 Dart’s fuel efficiency seems
pretty weak.
Because it is pretty weak.
Because the new car is pretty heavy. Absurdly heavy for a
compact.
How absurd could be proved by finding an original ‘76 Dart —
and upgrading it with just a few basic pieces of relatively modern
technology. I am not taking 2013 technology. I am talking 1985
technology. A throttle-body fuel injection system, for example.
Plus a five-speed transmission.
And feed it real gas — no ethanol, please.
I’d lay $500 on the table that an otherwise stock ‘76 Dart could
hit 40 MPG so equipped — and so fed.
The new Dart can only get to 40 MPG when it is equipped with its
optionally available (and turbocharged) 1.4 liter engine — which
you can only order in higher-trim Darts that start at $17,995 —
and that’s before you pay the $2,300 additional for the upgrade
package that includes the higher-mileage 1.4 liter engine. So,
about $20,000 to get you what about $13,500 got you back in
‘76.
Makes you feel all good inside, doesn’t it?
