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There has been plenty of debate about whether or not it was a good choice for Dodge to name their 2013 compact car the Dart. Not only does the name conjure up ideas of the classic model behind the D-Dart, Dart GT and Demon, it also gives the new compact model huge shoes to fill. But as we found out from Allpar.com, the controversy currently surrounding the Dart could have been different. As it turn out, the Chrylser Group initially wanted to name the new compact the Duster. Unfortunately for the Detroit giant, someone else snatched up the name in the meantime.
As we told you back in February, the modern Dodge Dart is shaping up to be a highly-optioned vehicle. Not only will their be five models available, there will also be three engines as well as plenty of optional features to choose from.
While many people who fell in love with the classic Dart are a bit skeptical that the new compact will live up to its name, the plethora of options and a future SRT version rumored to be in the works will certainly give it a good chance at reigniting the classic flame.
But would the new compact have better represented the Duster nameplate? That’s the question we have to ask considering that Chrysler wanted the Fiat-based car to share the namesake of the classic Plymouth.
While we aren’t huge fans of the second and third round of Dusters, known for being optional trim packages on the Plymouth Turismo and Sundance, the first-generation compact shares some eerie similarities with the modern Dart model.
The Duster was built back in 1970 for three things: cargo space, economy and performance. Sound familiar? Along the way, the model was offered with five different engine configurations and three different transmissions. The Duster also came in several versions in its short life, like the Gold Duster, Duster Twister, Feather Duster, Silver Duster and Space Duster, all of which had special features that set them apart from the rest.
While the Duster name would have seemingly been a good fit for Dodge’s new compact car, the name is currently being used by Renault/Nissan for an all-terrain SUV sold in Europe and South America. This means that Chrysler is out of luck, at least for now.
Since the Chrysler group used the Duster name far before Renault snagged it, Chrysler filed a U.S. trademark application back in October of 2011 to be able to return the Duster nameplate to their possession. On March 6th, Chrysler’s application was officially published for opposition from Renault and the results are still pending.
Although naming the new Dodge compact after the Duster would have illuminated most of the controversy surrounding the Dart nameplate, we’re sure there would have been plenty of uproar from classic Plymouth fans. What ever happened to giving new models names that haven’t been used before?
While it may be a nice SUV, we think the Duster name belongs back on a car from the Chrysler Group if it belongs anywhere at all Image: Renault
