{"id":230181,"date":"2022-08-16T18:59:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T22:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=230181"},"modified":"2022-08-16T18:03:15","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T22:03:15","slug":"dodge-eases-sting-of-lost-muscle-cars-with-new-hornet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2022\/08\/dodge-eases-sting-of-lost-muscle-cars-with-new-hornet\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodge Eases Sting of Lost Muscle Cars with New Hornet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"2023
Dodge is bringing back the Hornet, as a ute and it’s the industry\u2019s quickest, most powerful utility vehicle under $30,000. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a new member joining the Dodge hive. While it hasn\u2019t exactly been the best-kept secret in Detroit<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, the Stellantis muscle car brand has confirmed the new Dodge Hornet will roll into the line-up for 2023, with the first of the compact SUVs set to reach showrooms by late this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 Dodge Hornet will have plenty of sting, with even the base GT model delivering \u201c265-plus\u201d horsepower. The Hornet R\/T, meanwhile, will take that up a notch by introducing the brand\u2019s first \u201celectrified\u201d drivetrain \u2014 complete with the new \u201cPowerShot\u201d mode. While the plug-in hybrid will put the emphasis on performance, it also will offer up to 30 miles of range in all-electric mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Dodge may be best known for muscle cars like the Charger and Challenger \u2014 both set to go out of production next year<\/a><\/span><\/strong> \u2014 the launch of the Hornet, the brand’s second SUV, simply reflects market realities. The challenge was making sure it retains the \u201cbrand DNA,\u201d said Tim Kuniskis, the head of Dodge. And that, he added, will help it \u201cdisrupt\u201d the largely staid compact crossover segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Familiarity breeds … buyers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"2023
If you get a sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu checking out the 2023 Hornet that\u2019s no surprise. It\u2019s based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you get a sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu checking out the 2023 Hornet that\u2019s no surprise. It\u2019s based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Tonale that was introduced earlier this year. They\u2019ll both roll down the same assembly line in Naples, Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the overall shape of the two utility vehicles is similar, the Hornet boasts a unique front and rear, with a more classic Dodge shape to the grille and headlights. It also gets a pair of heat extractors on the hood, as well as a distinctive lightbar stretching the width of the tailgate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dodge crossover also gets unique twin exhaust finishers. Though the doors are shared by both models, Hornet adds unique cladding \u2014 painted on the R\/T model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hornet badge itself actually has deep roots. Motorsports fans are likely to recall the old Hudson Hornet that was a familiar sight on the NASCAR and AAA stock car series back in the 1950s. Dodge picked up the name for a popular 2006 concept vehicle. And, for animation fans, the Hudson Hornet was a major character in Pixar\u2019s \u201cCars\u201d franchise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2023
The \u201cbase\u201d Hornet GT uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder version of the Stellantis Hurricane engine.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What’s coming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two versions of the 2023 Dodge Hornet will be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cbase\u201d Hornet GT uses a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder version of the Stellantis Hurricane engine. Final specs have yet to be locked down but the turbocharged package is expected to make \u201c265-plus\u201d horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It\u2019s expected to launch from 0 to 60 in about 6.5 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll have to wait for a number of other details, including not only fuel economy but the transmission package. In Europe, the comparable Tonale uses a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2023
A new exterior Hornet badge on the fender celebrates the revival of the Hornet \u2014 a name first used on the famed Hudson Hornet.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With both the GT and the R\/T, all-wheel drive comes standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goes Like Hell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A key element of the Dodge DNA is the ability to customize products, enhancing both looks and performance. And the automaker on Tuesday night showed off some of what could be done using parts from its internal aftermarket operation, Direct Connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The letters, GLH, should have significance to longtime Dodge fans, serving as the designation for a high-performance version of the brand\u2019s \u201880s-era Omni model. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Hornet GLH concept boasts twice the power-to-weight ratio of the most extreme version of that era, the 1986 Shelby Omni GLH-S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting out with a stock Hornet GT, the show car adds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"2023
The Hornet’s taillamp runs the width of the ute and features a lighted red signature, as well as an illuminated Dodge Rhombi logo in the center.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n