A production-ready prototype of the 2023 Dodge Hornet was recently spotted in Turin, Italy, riding on black alloy wheels that were likely fitted with winter tires. This marks the first time in a long while that a new model from Dodge has been introduced, and the Hornet appears to be on track for commercial success as a compact crossover. Just one day after its debut, the Stellantis brand had already received 14,000 preorders for the vehicle. The GT model has been available at dealerships throughout the United States since last month, and the R/T model is set to be released this spring. It remains to be seen if the sporty GT GLH Concept will also be released as a production model.
The base GT model of the 2023 Dodge Hornet is priced at $30,000 and comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm) of torque to the road via a nine-speed automatic transmission. This allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). Alternatively, buyers can opt for the R/T version, which features a 1.3-liter turbo engine paired with an electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 383 pound-feet (519 Nm) of torque. This model comes with standard all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission, and can reach a top speed of 128 mph (206 km/h) with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds.
While the 2023 Dodge Hornet is a relatively small vehicle, the plug-in hybrid version weighs in at a hefty 4,140 pounds (1,875 kilograms). The non-hybrid model, on the other hand, is significantly lighter at 3,715 pounds (1,600 kilograms) and offers a slightly higher payload capacity of 1,245 pounds (565 kilograms). The hybrid model is equipped with a 276-pound (125-kilogram) battery, which allows for an electric range of approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) in the EPA testing cycle.
Source: Motor1, Walter Vayr