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Chrysler created quite the uproar earlier in the year when it unveiled its newest competitor in the compact car market, the Dodge Dart. Some people said it looked too much like the old Neon. Others were offended by the use of the Dart name on a compact economy car. Both sides missed the point that the Neon was Chrysler’s last successful compact car, and the original Dart WAS an economy car.
These same people will no doubt be offended by this latest leaked picture which reveals Mopar’s plans for a Dodge Dart GTS, a name attached to the original, long-dead muscle car. A new post over at Dodge-Dart.org suggests that the GTS model is instead happening though. Diehard Dart fans, prepare to rage.
The original Dart GTS arrived in 1967 and came standard with a 340 cubic-inch V8, though it could also be had with a 383 V8 as well as a few cosmetic enhancements. Dodge even debuted a tribute GTS model earlier in the year at the Chicago Auto Show, but few thought that Chrysler would sell it.
Well it looks like that will be the case, as the leaked page details a number of interior and exterior enhancements to the Dart. The Dart GTS starts off as a turbocharged Dodge R/T model. Interestingly enough though, the GTS tribute does not appear to have a single engine-based modification. That is a bit of a let down, considering the original GTS package was all about the higher-output V8 engine.
The Dart GTS tribute will get faux carbon fiber on the hood and roof, as well as a non-functional hood scoop. 18-inch wheels, a chin spoiler and a rear diffuser round out the exterior modifications, while the inside gets a lot of Pearl White bezels and accents, along with Katzkin-leather seats.
Hopefully, Chrysler comes to its senses and offers a hotter GTS version with performance modifications…though maybe they are saving that for a Dart SRT-4 model?
