Dodge Hornet debuts as brand’s electrification gateway
All-new SUV shares its underpinnings with the Alfa Tonale and Maserati Grecale but will retail for a lot lessThe covers have been torn off Dodge’s ‘gateway’ into electrified muscle, the 2023 Dodge Hornet.
Riding on the same platform as the new Alfa Romeo Tonale and Maserati Grecale, the all-new compact SUV will initially be available Stateside in two forms: base GT and electrified R/T.
Just like its Italian platform buddies, the Hornet GT relies on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine for propulsion, in this application developing around 197kW/400Nm.
Drive is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and Dodge claims 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration of 6.5 seconds.
Meantime the R/T features the Tonale’s plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a 90kW electric motor and a 15.5kWh battery pack to deliver combined outputs of around 213kW/519Nm.
An extra 19kW of power can be temporarily added via the on-demand ‘PowerShot’ system, yielding a 0-97km/h time of 6.1sec.
Brisk by most standards, these acceleration times are decidedly leisure-like compared to the rest of Dodge’s performance model range at the moment, with most of the flagship V8s launching to triple digits in less than four seconds.
That said, the R/T variants have traditionally been at the lower end of the dedicated performance spectrum, meaning a gruntier and more focused SRT variant is almost certain to materialise at some stage.
Such a car could be powered by any number of powertrains within the Stellantis portfolio, ranging from the 2.0-litre turbo 48V mild-hybrid set-up as seen in the Grecale Modena (242kW/450Nm) right up to a plug-in hybrid version of the new Hurricane straight six.
For the more eco-minded readers, the Hornet R/T has an all-electric driving range of “more than” 48km.
Standard equipment highlights for the Hornet GT include 17-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, a 12.3-inch digital cockpit, 10.5-inch Uconnect infotainment interface, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and rain-sensing wipers.
The R/T steps things up not only with its electrified powertrain, but with Dodge-branded Brembo four-piston front brake callipers, 18-inch alloys, brake-by-wire regenerative braking, dual exhaust outlets and paddle shifters.
“The Dodge brand’s electrified transformation has left the starting line, with the all-new Dodge Hornet R/T representing the first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge,” said Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis.
“The Dodge Hornet is poised to jolt the mainstream compact utility vehicle segment with looks, feel and performance that are unmistakably Dodge.”
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