Click to Enlarge.
The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet is now on public view as part of industry events surrounding the Woodward Dream Cruise north of Detroit. There are three versions of the Dodge brand’s new entry in the compact utility vehicles (CUV) segment. The line consists of Hornet R/T; the Hornet GT, claimed to be the quickest, most powerful CUV under $30,000; and the Hornet GT GLH Concept, which uses optional Direct Connection performance parts upgrades.
“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 Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis.
Kuniskis was referring to the Hornet R/T PHEV* (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) with 285-plus horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Batteries are expensive so the ~30 miles of all-electric range via a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery does not provide a helpful solution to reducing CO2 emissions that are causing climate change and potential plant Earth extinction. That mission resides elsewhere in the Stellantis corporate embrace of EVs. No pricing yet – it won’t be in showrooms until the spring of 2023.
The on-demand “PowerShot” technology on the Hornet R/T PHEV supplies 25 additional horsepower, good for a full second off the normal 0 to 60 mph time, to 6.1 seconds. Also included on the R/T are18-inch Graphite Grey wheels, Dodge-branded Brembo front fixed calipers, dual exhaust, and steering-mounted paddle shifters.
Hornet GT, has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder, claimed to be the segment’s most powerful gas engine at 265 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
Hornet R/T PHEV*
The Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV claims a segment-leading 285-plus horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The R/T has a 1.3-liter turbocharged all-aluminum engine, part of the Stellantis Global Small Engine (GSE) family, which includes exclusive third-generation MultiAir technology – developed by Fiat – that improves combustion efficiency by adjusting valve lift and timing.
The Hornet R/T claims more than 30 miles of all-electric range. An electric induction motor powers the rear axle; the 90-kW electric motor can deliver 184 lb.-ft. (250 Nm) of torque from 0 rpm. Power is further optimized by a small 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, fitted with a refrigerant gas cooling circuit to keep the battery at its optimum temperature. A starter generator delivers torque to the engine belt, aiding in dynamic response and recharging of the battery. A high-power inverter and 7.4-kW charging module allow for a full battery charge to be reached in approximately 2.5 hours using a Level 2 charger. The R/T PHEV system is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
A Sport Mode for the Hornet R/T PHEV is performance focused and enacted by a dedicated button on the center console, “unlocking a sharper throttle, optimized shift schedule, access to the hybrid system’s optimized power and torque, and a tighter steering wheel feel,” according to Dodge.
The Hornet R/T PHEV holds (marketing babble and mixed metaphor alert> “extra ‘sting’ in reserve, ready to be ‘unleashed’ through the class-exclusive PowerShot that provides a boost of 25 horsepower and delivers instant torque.”
PowerShot
- Shaves one second off normal 0 to 60 mph times by boosting horsepower and acceleration using bursts of extra power deployed by the battery and electric motor.
- Provides 15 seconds of extra horsepower, and can be repeated after a 15-second cool down period.
- Activates by pulling both steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and performing a pedal kickdown.
- System checks battery charge and temperature levels before performing PowerShot function.
- When activated, a PowerShot symbol in the instrument cluster provides real-time feedback.
Drivers also can select from three hybrid driving modes enacted by a steering wheel button:
- Hybrid Mode provides maximum combined efficiency of the conventional engine and e-Motor, minimizing fuel consumption by setting electric priority until a minimum battery level is met.
- Electric Mode is an all-electric, zero emission mode, and automatically switches to hybrid when the battery is depleted or when extra power is requested by driver pedal kickdown.
- E-Save Mode uses the conventional engine to preserve battery charge, with a Passive option to maintain the charge and an Active option to help recharge the battery.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet will be built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy. Dodge Hornet GT is available for orders now reaching dealers in December 2022. The Hornet R/T arrives in spring 2023 and is not yet priced.
First Look – 2023 Dodge Hornet and Hornet R/T PHEV
Click to Enlarge.
The all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet is now on public view as part of industry events surrounding the Woodward Dream Cruise north of Detroit. There are three versions of the Dodge brand’s new entry in the compact utility vehicles (CUV) segment. The line consists of Hornet R/T; the Hornet GT, claimed to be the quickest, most powerful CUV under $30,000; and the Hornet GT GLH Concept, which uses optional Direct Connection performance parts upgrades.
“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 Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis.
Kuniskis was referring to the Hornet R/T PHEV* (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) with 285-plus horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Batteries are expensive so the ~30 miles of all-electric range via a 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery does not provide a helpful solution to reducing CO2 emissions that are causing climate change and potential plant Earth extinction. That mission resides elsewhere in the Stellantis corporate embrace of EVs. No pricing yet – it won’t be in showrooms until the spring of 2023.
The on-demand “PowerShot” technology on the Hornet R/T PHEV supplies 25 additional horsepower, good for a full second off the normal 0 to 60 mph time, to 6.1 seconds. Also included on the R/T are18-inch Graphite Grey wheels, Dodge-branded Brembo front fixed calipers, dual exhaust, and steering-mounted paddle shifters.
Hornet GT, has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder, claimed to be the segment’s most powerful gas engine at 265 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
Hornet R/T PHEV*
The Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV claims a segment-leading 285-plus horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. The R/T has a 1.3-liter turbocharged all-aluminum engine, part of the Stellantis Global Small Engine (GSE) family, which includes exclusive third-generation MultiAir technology – developed by Fiat – that improves combustion efficiency by adjusting valve lift and timing.
The Hornet R/T claims more than 30 miles of all-electric range. An electric induction motor powers the rear axle; the 90-kW electric motor can deliver 184 lb.-ft. (250 Nm) of torque from 0 rpm. Power is further optimized by a small 15.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, fitted with a refrigerant gas cooling circuit to keep the battery at its optimum temperature. A starter generator delivers torque to the engine belt, aiding in dynamic response and recharging of the battery. A high-power inverter and 7.4-kW charging module allow for a full battery charge to be reached in approximately 2.5 hours using a Level 2 charger. The R/T PHEV system is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
A Sport Mode for the Hornet R/T PHEV is performance focused and enacted by a dedicated button on the center console, “unlocking a sharper throttle, optimized shift schedule, access to the hybrid system’s optimized power and torque, and a tighter steering wheel feel,” according to Dodge.
The Hornet R/T PHEV holds (marketing babble and mixed metaphor alert> “extra ‘sting’ in reserve, ready to be ‘unleashed’ through the class-exclusive PowerShot that provides a boost of 25 horsepower and delivers instant torque.”
PowerShot
Drivers also can select from three hybrid driving modes enacted by a steering wheel button:
The 2023 Dodge Hornet will be built at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy. Dodge Hornet GT is available for orders now reaching dealers in December 2022. The Hornet R/T arrives in spring 2023 and is not yet priced.