2023 Dodge Hornet Revealed as Alfa Romeo Tonale’s Cousin

The Hornet was revealed to be Avoid The brand’s first all-new model in just over a decade, and as expected, it closely resembles Alfa Romeo Tonale.

This is the first electrified model from the Dodge brand, already positioned as a performance car brand within the Stellantis brand, and will arrive in US showrooms later this year.

It will only use the two most powerful engines from Tonalethose are the two engines that Alfa Romeo will not offer in the model when it arrive early in 2023.

The base GT – which Dodge says is the fastest, most powerful SUV under US$30,000 (AU$43,352) – is powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine manufacturing 198kW power and 400Nm torque and mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

In Sport Mode, the GT can accelerate from 0-60mph (0-96km/h) in 6.5 seconds. A limited-slip differential is standard.

A plug-in hybrid R/T version will launch next spring, using 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine and a rear-mounted electric motor, a 15.5kWh battery pack and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The total output of the system is 212kW and 519Nmwith a claimed electric range of over 48 km.

The PowerShot feature delivers a boost of 18kW in 15 seconds at a time, which Dodge says will shave a second off the 0-60mph time (down to 6.1 seconds). It is activated by pulling both paddle shifters and performing a depressurization of the pedals.

The electrified R/T also features three PHEV driving modes – one hybrid, one pure EV mode, and one E-Save mode to save battery power – and has both regenerative braking and a stop function.

Both the GT and R/T come standard with all-wheel drive, Koni frequency selective damping and dynamic torque, with the R/T featuring standard Brembo front brakes.

Although the midsection is the same as the Tonale, the Hornet received unique front and rear styling.

That includes a version of Dodge’s “letter slot” grille, ventilated bonnet and slim LED headlights.

At the rear, there’s a full-width light cluster, a first for Dodge, featuring an illuminated version of the brand’s Rhombi logo in the center.

17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the GT and 18 on the R/T, but both variants are offered a Blacktop package that brings unique 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss black exterior trim.

An optional Track Pack on both variants upgrades to 20-inch alloy wheels and Alcantara upholstery, and adds adjustable dampers.

There are seven exterior colors on offer, many of which feature smart names in the Dodge tradition such as Gray Cray, Blu Bayou and 8 Ball.

The driver-oriented interior is essentially the same as the Tonale, except for details like the shape of the air vents, some small switches, and the graphics for the standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. and 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The touchscreen runs on the latest UConnect 5 operating system, with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The GT Plus and R/T Plus models get red, leather seats, along with a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.

Standard safety equipment on the Hornet includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with the optional Technology Pack adding adaptive cruise control. , intelligent speed assist, traffic sign recognition and lane centering Level 2 autonomous driving system.

In addition to revealing the R/T and GT, Dodge has also revealed a classic Dodge nameplate concept.

The Hornet GT GLH Concept – named after the omnipotent Omni GLH that was sought after by Shelby in the 1980s, and stands for “Goes Like Hell” – is equipped with a host of performance upgrades from the Dodge’s Direct Connect range.

Based on the GT, Dodge says the GT GLH actually boasts a better power-to-weight ratio than the old hot hatch and includes a host of Direct Connection modifications such as lowered suspension, kit unlimited stage and dual exhaust, as well as unique stripes and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Direct Connect parts will be available at Dodge Power Brokers dealers.

The Hornet is perhaps surprisingly Dodge’s first small crossover ever, unless you take into account the large Caliber hatchback of the 2000s.

It’s significantly smaller than the now-defunct Journey, let alone Dodge’s existing lineup – the full-size Durango SUV, along with the Charger and the full-sized Challenger that will end of production after the 2023 model year.

The Hornet will be built alongside the Tonale at a factory outside Naples in Italy, making it the first Italian-built Dodge.

Dodge calls the Hornet the “gateway” car to its so-called Brotherhood of Muscle, but it’s also the gateway to full electrification.

It will be followed in 2024 by a production version of Dodge’s “electronic muscle” concept car on the new STLA Large architecture.

The Hornet name has some legacy of performance. It was first used on the Hudson Hornet in 1951, appreciated for its performance in NASCAR, and then on the AMC Hornet in 1970, producing the hot V8-powered SC/360 .

The name was not used again until after Chrysler Corporation acquired the American Automobile Corporation, and Dodge used it on a sports hatchback model in 2006.