The new version, dubbed the Dart GT, will have 184 hp available from the 2.4 Tigershark engine. Tigershark is the World Gasoline Engine (WGE) renamed in an attempt to shed its poor image, but this unit, despite improvements, still offers weak characteristics. Adding the new 2.4 engine option under the bonnet improves the power by an extra 24 hp over the 2.0 version, but torque, at 174 lb/ft, is still poor and in fact is easily bettered by the Dart's 1.4 Multiair Turbo option.

Alongside the new engine, the range-topping Dart GT, gets upgrades to the suspension, to improve the ride and handling, as well as a number of cosmetic options as standard equipment under and over the skin, such as LED tail lamps, Nappa leather seats and an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while being more competitively priced, at US$20,995 excluding destination charge, addressing another of the Dart's problems.

No mention has been made by Dodge about performance or fuel economy data from the Dar GT 2.4 so far. However Chrysler Group will be hoping that the addition of this engine in the range will boost sales which have fallen well short of projections since its launch last year, although it has been slowly improving, climbing above the six thousand barrier last month.

The Dart GT version will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“The new Dart GT embodies the best attributes that compact car buyers are looking for, including outstanding style, performance, technology and value,” believes Reid Bigland, President and CEO Dodge Brand. “With 184 horsepower, 18-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension, premium leather interior and several class-exclusive features, the Dart GT represents the sweet spot in the compact car market, offering mid-size roominess combined with premium amenities for only $20,995 MSRP.”

The Dart GT model becomes the latest addition to the C-segment car's lineup, which currently includes the Dart SE, SXT, Rallye, Aero and Limited models. Dodge has also backpedalled away from a planned purer performance model, saying in the press release that it "continues to investigate a high-performance R/T model."

Building off the Dart Limited, the GT adds the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine with MultiAir 2 and six-speed manual or available six-speed PowerTech automatic AutoStick; 18-inch aluminium wheels; sport suspension with frequency sensing damping shocks; unique front fascia with black accents and black grille; black projector headlamp bezels; body-colour door handles; integrated dual exhaust with bright exhaust tips; LED tail lamps; Nappa perforated leather seats in black with red stitching or two-tone black/red; heated steering wheel; heated front seats; dual-zone automatic temperature control; remote start (with automatic transmission); universal garage door opener and GT badge.

Additional standard equipment on the new Dart GT version includes: projector fog lamps; power heated mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps; 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen; ParkView rear backup camera; 7-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) reconfigurable instrument cluster display; door trim panel with soft-touch upper surfaces; leather steering wheel with audio controls and speed control; accent stitching on the instrument panel; power 10-way driver seat, including power lumbar support; driver and front passenger seatback pockets; overhead console with sunglass holder; front passenger in-seat storage; illuminated front cup holders; illuminated vanity mirrors; temperature and compass gauge; 12-volt auxiliary power outlet in console; speed-sensitive power locks; power windows with express one-touch up/down front windows; ambient LED interior lighting; automatic headlamps; active grille shutters; underbody aerodynamic treatment; tyre pressure monitoring display; air conditioning with micron filter; power mirrors; remote keyless entry; front centre console with fore and aft sliding armrest; 60/40 split folding rear seat with armrest with storage/cup holders and trunk pass-through; six-speakers; security alarm; front and rear floor mats and 600-amp maintenance-free battery.

The Dart GT comes with a choice of 12 exterior colours: Redline Red, Header Orange, Blue Streak, Citrus Peel, Laguna Blue, Pitch Black, Tungsten, Bright Silver, Bright White, True Blue, Maximum Steel and Winter Chill.

Optional equipment includes: six-speed Powertech automatic transmission with AutoStick, Technology Group (push-button start, keyless Enter ‘N Go, rain sensing wipers, smart beam headlamps, blind spot monitoring with rear cross path detection), 18-inch black aluminium wheels, power sunroof, HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Garmin Navigation with Sirius XM Travel Link, Alpine sound system with 10 speakers, including subwoofer and 506 watt amplifier and engine block heater.