Manoli Katakis 
For over a year, expectations of a Dodge Hornet comeback have surfaced. It started with a trademark filing in April of 2020, followed by a breaking report alleging that Dodge was planning on rebooting the Hornet – once a muscle car – as an SUV based on the same architecture as the Alfa Romeo Tonale. That may be the case. But, we’d like to point you to the latest teaser, courtesy of Stellantis EV Day.
Dodge Hornet EV – Or Is It A Durango?
What we see in the screenshot photos are depictions of an SUV silhouette atop of the STLA Large electric vehicle architecture; a BEV platform that Stellantis claims will be good for 500 miles of range, and up to 330 kW of battery power. Quite robust, indeed. What makes it a Dodge? If you look closer, there are Dodge logos on the wheels. Dead giveaway, if you as us. However, just what it will be called exactly is guesswork for those not on the inside.
The front end of the Dodge electric SUV does seem to take an evolutionary form of the Durango SUV we see today. Although, considering the Hemi 392 and Hellcat V8 engines that are available, battery power is quite the departure. Just as well, the next-generation Dodge Durango could be a far more conventional SUV than what’s seen in this rendering, and take on the platform of the WL Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is expected.
Stellantis EV Strategy May Have Changed Original Plans
As for the Alfa-Romeo Tonale to Dodge Hornet hypothesis, we have no reason to doubt it. However, considering that Stellantis is earmarking $30 billion USD from now until 2025 to push out electric vehicles across its 14 brands, the initial plans of utilizing an ICE Alfa Romeo architecture may have went stillborn.
It was originally reported that a Dodge Hornet SUV will make its production debut sometime in mid-2022, before hitting dealerships in 2023. We likely would have seen evidence of a prototype by now, so the likelihood of that schedule seems to diminish by the day. It’s July 2021 now. Meaning it’s closer to 2022 than 2020 (which, honestly, is a great thing).
Ever since the FCA-PSA merger that has formed Stellantis, the push for electrification has now matched General Motors-levels of commitment. It’s a strong likelihood that what we’re seeing in these photos is our first look at a future Dodge SUV. As for whether or not it’s a Dodge Durango or a Hornet teased during Stellantis EV Day, only time will tell.
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