What Would a Mazda3-based Dodge Dart Successor Look Like?

Last week, our own Tim Cain broke down exactly why the Dart was destined for the dustbin. Steph asked in April if the Dart would outlast the Obama administration, a question answered last week with a resounding “no” from Auburn Hills. And before that, I asked you what company could build a replacement for the Dart, while offering up my own guesses. One car kept rising to the top of the suggestion list: the Mazda3.

But, what would a Mazda3-based Dodge Dart replacement look like? We wanted to know. And since none of us at TTAC are particularly gifted when it comes to pixel manipulation, we commissioned a pair of renders from the talented Theophilus Chin of Chris Doane Automotive to find out.

Why the Mazda3?

Unlike Mitsubishi, which could build a vehicle in partnership with FCA but would do so outside the NAFTA region, the Mexican-build, NAFTA-friendly Mazda3 is an engineered product already plodding American roads. For its part, FCA would only need to pay to design some lighting and body panels. That’s a helluva lot easier than engaging an old partner that’s now tied up with the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Visual Comparison

Our artist dispatched the Mazda3’s happy face in favor of Dodge’s trademark crosshair grille. The large, lower faux airdam is separated from the upper, functional grille in our render, which is bookended by headlights inspired by the Dodge Charger.

Surprising, our artist’s changes at the rear are not a distant visual departure from the original Dart. The racetrack taillights are sharper toward the ends, but a short rear deck and Hoffmeister kink in the rear window tie in our Mazda3-based render with its Dart predecessor. It does look like a Mazda3-based replacement could lose a fair amount of rear overhang and trunk space, however.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

[Image: © 2016 Theophilus Chin/Chris Doane Automotive for The Truth About Cars]