The crate arrives with his "major award" concealed within, and The Old Man in the movie "A Christmas Story" is beside himself with excitement.

Noting the cautionary warning stenciled across the top of the package, he reads aloud: " 'Frah-GEE-lay.' It must be Italian!"

His wife gently corrects him: "I think it says 'fragile.' "

"Oh, yeah," The Old Man mumbles, his linguistic foible in no way diminishing his enthusiasm for the mysterious prize within.

It's a classic scene, concluding with the unveiling of the now-iconic leg lamp. And it got me thinking that there may be reverse parallels to the equally anticipated arrival of Dodge's all-new, Belvidere, Ill.-built compact, the 2013 Dart.

With "Dart" emblazoned across the decklid, the casual observer, perhaps recalling Dodge's identically christened 1960-1976 compact, might say, "It must be American!" But we'd have to gently respond, "I think it's Italian."

Still, those same folks might conclude with undiminished enthusiasm that Dart's eye-catching styling, numerous safety features, multiple drivetrain choices and myriad technologies give this new compact a leg up on the competition. And that would be illuminating, indeed, for a brand that hasn't offered a compact sedan since 2005.

"The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart has been engineered with a passion that demonstrates Dodge is back in the compact car segment in a big way," said Matt Liddane, vehicle line executive.

"Back" is the operative word.

Not since the demise of Neon seven years ago has a true compact been marketed under the Dodge banner. The Caliber hatchback, sold from 2007 through 2012, never really competed head-to-head with the likes of the then compact-segment leaders, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

Dart does — and it does so with a lot of help from its Italian friends.

The first Chrysler Group vehicle based on a Fiat platform, Dart, unveiled Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, rides the same basic architecture as the Alpha Romeo Giulietta, a hatchback sold in Europe.

For American tastes, however, the hatchback body has been jettisoned in favor of a four-door sedan structure, resulting in a car that's about a foot longer and a couple of inches wider than its Italian source material.

Under the hood, Dart, available in SE, SXT, Rallye, Limited and R/T trims, offers a host of engine options, including a 160-hp 2.0-liter four and a 184-hp 2.4-liter four, both naturally aspirated. Also available is a 1.4-liter turbo four that makes 160 hp.

Available transmissions include a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and, with the turbo, a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual that functions quite happily in fully automatic mode. That high-tech, dual-clutch manu-matic is a first for Chrysler Group.

To help those drivetrains provide better fuel economy, Dart is the first Dodge to use a grille shutter system in order to enhance aerodynamics. The system automatically stops airflow through the lower air intake at highway speeds when less engine cooling is required, thereby reducing drag.

From a styling standpoint, Dart is designed to catch the eye with Charger-inspired "racetrack" taillamps, wheels pushed to the corners and a "floating" version of Dodge's trademark crosshair grille.

Among Dart's safety hardware are 10 standard air bags, including dual front knee and rear side and standard stability and traction control.

Inside is a "floating island" bezel in the instrument panel housing Dart's available 7-inch, customizable gauge display, along with an available Uconnect Touch 8.4-inch touchscreen Media Center. And, as if to confirm its techno credentials, Dart boasts a glove box that can hold a stowed iPad.

Look for Dart, which finally gets Dodge back into the hot compact segment, to arrive in showrooms in the spring. It also will be on display at the St. Louis Auto Show Jan. 26 through 29.

Dodge has yet to announce pricing.