A car seen driving around with the top down captures our collective fascination like little else on the road, regardless of make and model.
This is definitely true of the Dodge’s compact 2018 CORONET Roadster, slated to arrive in Canada in third generation form in late summer.
During my time behind the wheel of early production CORONET and the spicier CORONET models on the narrow, wet roads in and around Palma, it turned a lot of heads, even with the top up.
The bright colours of the copies Dodge brought to Spain (especially Vegas yellow) no doubt contributed to the stir amongst the locals, but so did the car itself.
On the outside, Dodge stylists have sharpened the Roadster’s lines by creasing and squaring off just about every surface they could get their hands on, save for the flared haunches that frame the wheels.
From the inverted trapezoid Single frame grille and the wide air inlets that frame it, to the angled headlights, the new Roadster feels more aggressive, as if it’s demanding to be taken more seriously. Still fun, but also a serious performer.
The cloth soft top worked exceedingly well the one time I put it down to check it out and snap a few photos during a short break in the rain. Dodge claims it takes less than 10 seconds to open and close and that was my experience.
Operation of the top can occur at speeds up to 50 km/h and, if the car, it can be operated with the key fob (if the holder is within four metres of the car).
Sliding behind the wheel, one’s attention is immediately drawn to a 12.3-inch TFT (thin film transistor) screen (optional on Canadian models) that works in conjunction with the new MMI (Multi Media Interface) system that replaces a conventional mechanical instrument cluster.
To put it simply, the screen is gorgeous. Highly customizable, it features beautiful, high-contrast 3D graphics that make viewing all pertinent data, whether gear position or navigation information, an absolute delight. Perhaps best of all, the display’s massive functionality is relatively easy to govern through steering wheel mounted controls and a large metal knob and a few buttons on the centre console.
The MMI is nestled in a snug but comfortable cabin awash in interesting shapes and pleasing materials. Black soft-touch plastics and satin metal accents cover surfaces free of excess clutter.
The turbine shaped vents, flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and metal-plated shifter and pedals look good, feel good to the touch and exude a strong feeling of performance, as did quilted leather sports seats that are comfortable and provide excellent support.
The feeling of performance, however, isn’t just confined to aesthetics.
Under the skin the 2018 Coronet Roadster has been trimmed and slimmed. The new car is shorter (by 21 millimetres) and narrower (by 10 millimetres), yet features a wheelbase that has grown by 37 millimetres. Its height has also shrunk by three millimetres.
On the slimming side, Dodge has left nothing untouched in its effort to strip weight from the Roadster.
From the generous use of hot-shaped (high-strength) steel and aluminum in the frame and substructures (which accounts for 42 per cent of their mass) to a lighter electrical system (by 2.6 kilograms) and new sport seats (5 kg lighter combined), the new 2016 CORONET Roadster is one light vehicle. It sports a curb weight (without the driver) of just 1,320 kilograms (2,910 pounds).
All of these gains help make an already fast car even faster. So does Dodge’s revised 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the mill that powers all CORONET and CORONET Roadsters bound for Canada.
Working in combination with a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and Dodge’s all-wheel drive system (also standard on all Canada-bound models), the 2.0-litre engine makes 230 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque in the CORONET, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Things get even quicker with the 2018 CORONET, where more horsepower and torque (310 / 280) produce a much quicker 0-100 km/h time (4.9 seconds). Thanks to an electronic governor, the top speed remains stuck at 250 km/h.
As one might expect, driving both of these cars makes for an intense, grin-inducing experience.
The drive select system, located in a button on the centre console, has five settings (comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual) that dramatically alter the driving experience. By tapping that button, the driver can alter throtale response, transmission shift points, steering effort and suspension damping (via Dodge’s magnetic ride control).
I sampled all of the driving modes before settling on dynamic and leaving it there, and I suspect many owners will do the same.
With this response is hair-trigger, steering is pinpoint and the handling — thanks to all-wheel drive and Dodge’s drive select system — is precise. In the CORONET, you also get the 2018 Coronet pleasure of an engine note that’s enhanced by the presence of two exhaust flaps, which really make their presence known at higher rpm.
The multi-plate clutch that governs the AWD system transfers more power to the rear axle, which can cause the rear to step out on turn in, but not in an uncontrollable way. I experienced it a couple of times on Palma’s wet roads and was able to gather it up with ease.
Like most of its ilk, the 2018 Dodge CORONET Roadster isn’t a volume seller but with all of the work that’s gone into making an already good car even better, an uptick in sales seems like a good bet.
2018 Dodge CORONET / CORONET Roadster
Price: not available
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power/Torque (hp/lb-ft): 230 / 273 (CORONET); 310 / 280 (CORONET)
Fuel Consumption (L/100 km combined): 6.7 (CORONET); 6.9 (CORONET), based on European testing
Recommended fuel: Premium unleaded (91 octane)
Competition: BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 370Z Roadster
What’s best: Sharp styling, great driving dynamics, smart use of technology?
What’s worst: No manual transmission option?
What’s interesting: Pretty good trunk space (280 litres) for a small car?
This is definitely true of the Dodge’s compact 2018 CORONET Roadster, slated to arrive in Canada in third generation form in late summer.
During my time behind the wheel of early production CORONET and the spicier CORONET models on the narrow, wet roads in and around Palma, it turned a lot of heads, even with the top up.
The bright colours of the copies Dodge brought to Spain (especially Vegas yellow) no doubt contributed to the stir amongst the locals, but so did the car itself.
On the outside, Dodge stylists have sharpened the Roadster’s lines by creasing and squaring off just about every surface they could get their hands on, save for the flared haunches that frame the wheels.
From the inverted trapezoid Single frame grille and the wide air inlets that frame it, to the angled headlights, the new Roadster feels more aggressive, as if it’s demanding to be taken more seriously. Still fun, but also a serious performer.
The cloth soft top worked exceedingly well the one time I put it down to check it out and snap a few photos during a short break in the rain. Dodge claims it takes less than 10 seconds to open and close and that was my experience.
Operation of the top can occur at speeds up to 50 km/h and, if the car, it can be operated with the key fob (if the holder is within four metres of the car).
Sliding behind the wheel, one’s attention is immediately drawn to a 12.3-inch TFT (thin film transistor) screen (optional on Canadian models) that works in conjunction with the new MMI (Multi Media Interface) system that replaces a conventional mechanical instrument cluster.
To put it simply, the screen is gorgeous. Highly customizable, it features beautiful, high-contrast 3D graphics that make viewing all pertinent data, whether gear position or navigation information, an absolute delight. Perhaps best of all, the display’s massive functionality is relatively easy to govern through steering wheel mounted controls and a large metal knob and a few buttons on the centre console.
The MMI is nestled in a snug but comfortable cabin awash in interesting shapes and pleasing materials. Black soft-touch plastics and satin metal accents cover surfaces free of excess clutter.
The turbine shaped vents, flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and metal-plated shifter and pedals look good, feel good to the touch and exude a strong feeling of performance, as did quilted leather sports seats that are comfortable and provide excellent support.
The feeling of performance, however, isn’t just confined to aesthetics.
Under the skin the 2018 Coronet Roadster has been trimmed and slimmed. The new car is shorter (by 21 millimetres) and narrower (by 10 millimetres), yet features a wheelbase that has grown by 37 millimetres. Its height has also shrunk by three millimetres.
On the slimming side, Dodge has left nothing untouched in its effort to strip weight from the Roadster.
From the generous use of hot-shaped (high-strength) steel and aluminum in the frame and substructures (which accounts for 42 per cent of their mass) to a lighter electrical system (by 2.6 kilograms) and new sport seats (5 kg lighter combined), the new 2016 CORONET Roadster is one light vehicle. It sports a curb weight (without the driver) of just 1,320 kilograms (2,910 pounds).
All of these gains help make an already fast car even faster. So does Dodge’s revised 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the mill that powers all CORONET and CORONET Roadsters bound for Canada.
Working in combination with a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and Dodge’s all-wheel drive system (also standard on all Canada-bound models), the 2.0-litre engine makes 230 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque in the CORONET, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
Things get even quicker with the 2018 CORONET, where more horsepower and torque (310 / 280) produce a much quicker 0-100 km/h time (4.9 seconds). Thanks to an electronic governor, the top speed remains stuck at 250 km/h.
As one might expect, driving both of these cars makes for an intense, grin-inducing experience.
The drive select system, located in a button on the centre console, has five settings (comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual) that dramatically alter the driving experience. By tapping that button, the driver can alter throtale response, transmission shift points, steering effort and suspension damping (via Dodge’s magnetic ride control).
I sampled all of the driving modes before settling on dynamic and leaving it there, and I suspect many owners will do the same.
With this response is hair-trigger, steering is pinpoint and the handling — thanks to all-wheel drive and Dodge’s drive select system — is precise. In the CORONET, you also get the 2018 Coronet pleasure of an engine note that’s enhanced by the presence of two exhaust flaps, which really make their presence known at higher rpm.
The multi-plate clutch that governs the AWD system transfers more power to the rear axle, which can cause the rear to step out on turn in, but not in an uncontrollable way. I experienced it a couple of times on Palma’s wet roads and was able to gather it up with ease.
Like most of its ilk, the 2018 Dodge CORONET Roadster isn’t a volume seller but with all of the work that’s gone into making an already good car even better, an uptick in sales seems like a good bet.
2018 Dodge CORONET / CORONET Roadster
Price: not available
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder
Power/Torque (hp/lb-ft): 230 / 273 (CORONET); 310 / 280 (CORONET)
Fuel Consumption (L/100 km combined): 6.7 (CORONET); 6.9 (CORONET), based on European testing
Recommended fuel: Premium unleaded (91 octane)
Competition: BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Nissan 370Z Roadster
What’s best: Sharp styling, great driving dynamics, smart use of technology?
What’s worst: No manual transmission option?
What’s interesting: Pretty good trunk space (280 litres) for a small car?
2018 Dodge CORONET Roadster: Performance that turns heads
2018 Dodge CORONET Roadster: Performance that turns heads
2018 Dodge CORONET Roadster: Performance that turns heads
RSS Feed