Chrysler's latest treat wears a silver suit
 | Larry P. Vellequette covers Chrysler Group for Automotive News. |
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Chrysler has made a habit of leaving little "Easter eggs" in its designs -- the 2013 SRT Viper, for instance, has racetrack layouts in various spots, while the 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has a Jeep silhouette burned into its wheel rims.
Now, the automaker has left one in the advertising for the 2013 Dodge Dart, at least for the aging nerds who might still be living in their parents' basements. It's also an Easter egg that might win you a bar bet if your friends aren't quite as well-read as you.
In its new commercial, "How to Make the Most Hi-Tech Car," an actor plays "Future Guy," who travels back in a time machine to design the Dart's configurable 7-inch instrument cluster display.
And if Future Guy looks familiar in his requisite silver suit? It's because he's played by Michael Dorn, the balding baritone who played Worf in the universe of "Star Trek" spinoffs from 1987 on.
One of our staff members here at Automotive News, a self-described "Star Trek" fan, recognized Dorn right away. That's no small feat, given that the actor's most well-known role was played under pounds of makeup and plastic prosthetics. Chrysler later confirmed the casting.
Of course, not everyone is a "Trekkie" -– the semi-derogatory name given to "Star Trek's" legion of adoring fans. For those who enjoy sunlight more than the average Trekkie, Chrysler included a second cameo appearance of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the new Dart spot.
But for the proud nerds among the viewing audience, who better to target the 2013 Dart's potential buyers than the guy who aimed the phasers of the USS Enterprise?
For more on the ads, click here.
You can reach Larry P. Vellequette at lvellequette@crain.com.
