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DODGE CEO CONFIRMS PHEV ‘VARIANT’ OF DODGE HORNET SUV THIS SUMMER

The Hornet Is Expected To Share The Same Architecture As The Alfa Romeo Tonale

Tim Kuniskis FCA Dodge CEO Stellantis Charger Challenger Muscle Car Cars
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.

Dodge took the time to celebrate Hemi Day on April 26th by announcing Preston Patterson as its inaugural Chief Donut Maker, and invited media to an online announcement, followed by a Q&A led by Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis. And while Patterson will be killing tires in a Hellcat V8 muscle car, Kuniskis was able to shed a few details on the brand’s next product: the 2023 Dodge Hornet SUV, as well as confirming multiple vehicles and variants in the pipleline.

“We have multiple cars we’re going to be launching,” said Kuniskis. “Some will be full BEV, some will be PHEV… when we get back into the subcompact space later this year when we launch the Hornet, we’ll have a PHEV variant of that.”

The Dodge Hornet was leaked to the internet via a factory floor photo of the compact SUV from the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy.

For the United States, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will come with the choice of either a 2.0L turbocharged gas engine, as well as a plug-in hybrid model with a 1.3L gas engine. Now, a 1.3L engine probably isn’t allowed into the Brotherhood of Muscle, but this is likely the powerplants we’ll see in the Dodge Hornet when it debuts later this year. With relation to the Alfa Romeo, the Dodge Hornet would ride on the Small Common Components and Systems platform, or SCCS platform. Not the STLA Small platform.

Dodge otherwise has teased and confirmed an upcoming “eMuscle Car” that will be on sale by 2024. It will be replacing the beloved Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars we know today, as well as sidelining the Hellcat V8 engine, as tightening regulations continue to squeeze the liability, autonomy, and combustion out of personal transportation.

2006 Dodge Hornet SUV Concept Stellantis Alfa Romeo Tonale
2006 Dodge Hornet SUV Concept. Image Via Stellantis

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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