Lots of first drive reviews. Seems like well done small car inside and out. Only issue that I see: 3200 lb.
car and Driver:
The $19,790 Rallye middle-trim child sports a more aggressive black-accented front fascia, projector fog lamps, dual exhaust tips, a leather-wrapped steering wheel armed with audio controls, and an optional SOHC 1.4-liter turbocharged four borrowed from the Fiat 500 Abarth. That iron-block engine makes the same 160 hp as the base four but has a more entertaining 184 lb-ft of torque (versus the 2.0-liter’s 145 lb-ft).
The best powertrain of the three we’ve experienced thus far is the 1.4-liter turbo mated to the six-speed manual transmission. Chugged down as low as 1300 rpm, it pulls willingly and enthusiastically with much crisper throttle response than the base engine. There’s a pleasant growl through the mid-range, followed by nicely modulated rowdiness above 5000 rpm. Revving this Dart to its 6200-rpm redline is the best way to bring the stout chassis, taut suspension, and willing powertrain into harmony.
^I'd like to get this sort of casual confident conversation from H and A, rather than the pre-packaged, demographic-speak and a hired-enthusiast fawning over an ILX.
Could one stand before the new Civic and speak this confidently regarding its design? Sure, the concept, but the production version..?
An interesting comment from Vicki about sloppy steering feel reminds me that most Alfas of the past not really being that sharp of cars but did they ever have style.
Are all of the people in the group reporters or journalists? I ask because the majority of them seem to be of a much older demographic than I would expect for this type of car. One guy looks like he pushing 80.
I was gonna side with you ... until I saw shots of the inside. Maybe it was bad camera angles or a bad colour combo or something, but it was so crap, that would be enough to put me off.
The outside ... that's another matter. If only Honda would do as well...
I know they are referensing the old Dodge Dart, but can someone explain why they have Dodge and Chrysler as brand names and how each brand name is supposed to be different. I thought RAM for pickups, Dodge for SUVs and chrysler for cars would make sense. But it all seems all over the place.
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