DODGE HORNET DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES: RENDERINGS DEBUT FOLLOWING SPY SHOTS

Dodge is preparing to enter the small crossover segment with a new product that will dust off a classic name. We’re of course talking about the Dodge Hornet, which is expected to share an architecture with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and is expected to be built in Italy. However, it’s bound to be a far cry from the burly American muscle machines that Dodge has built so much equity on through the past decade or so. Don’t expect a Hemi in this thing. However, based on new renderings inspired by recent spy photos and leaked images, the Dodge Hornet design will at least resemble its family members.

Dodge Hornet: Exterior Details

The Dodge Hornet features a fascia with inlets in the corners and an opening in the center with a trapezoidal shape. There’s a skinny grille in the middle of the vehicle’s face and a slightly larger opening above it. The headlights are narrow with sharp edges. On the car’s sides, we can see that the Hornet features cladding surrounding the wheel wells and lower edge of the body. In addition, there’s an arching roofline and angled window on the rear to ensure the crossover doesn’t look too boxy. The wheels appear to be the same ones found on the Tonale. Meanwhile, the tail has a spoiler on the roof.

If you’re curious how it may look when the wrap comes off, Kolesa has imagined the Dodge Hornet with a rather Charger-ish flair in the front. Though the headlights shape and grille appear similar to what we see on the spied prototype. As for the front bumper, rear bumper, and taillights, we’ll have to wait and see how true it is to the production model, but the tailgate, positioning of the rear license plate, and reflectors are true to what we’ve seen on-road testing.

The Dodge Hornet will likely be the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain used in the Alfa Romeo Tonale, where a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor creates a combined 272 horsepower. Meanwhile, with a 15.5-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the crossover could have over 30 miles of electric-only range. If the Hornet features the Tonale’s full engine lineup, then a 2.0-liter engine with 256 ponies and 295 lb-ft of torque could also be available.