Source: Chrysler
American automotive icon Dodge has unveiled its first electrified vehicle, the Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV), at the same time as the company also announced that the 2023 Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger will be the last of their kind.
In a move that sends a clear signal that Dodge is moving forward, the Dodge Hornet PHEV will be introduced in the compact utility vehicle (CUV) segment at the same time as two of its most iconic models will carry commemorative “Last Call” plagues under the hood.
The new 2023 Dodge Hornet is a multi-energy powertrain model, and will come in both a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as well as a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine variant.
The Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV is the company’s first ever electrified vehicle and is expected to be the most powerful utility vehicle in the segment, boasting 285+ horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque.
Unsurprisingly, though, the electrified Hornet will offer only 50km of all-electric range thanks to its 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery powering a 90kW electric motor. The battery is paired with a 1.3-liter turbocharged all-aluminum engine, part of the Stellantis Global Small Engine (GSE) family.
Accelerating from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds, the electrified Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV also comes with an on-demand “PowerShot” feature which supplies a burst of 25 additional horsepower for 15 seconds, which can shave a full second off the acceleration time.
And, for those not wanting to beat all comers off the green light, the R/T PHEV comes with three hybrid driving modes – hybrid, electric, and e-save.
“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 for parent company Stellantis.
“The Dodge Hornet is poised to jolt the mainstream compact utility vehicle segment with looks, feel, and performance that are unmistakably Dodge.
“Hornet shakes up the status quo with aggressive Dodge styling, the most power in the segment from our multi-energy line-up, the best driving dynamics, a full line-up of segment-exclusive performance features, the best standard technology, as well available Direct Connection factory-backed performance upgrades. And this is just the start of the Dodge brand’s electrification journey.”
Inside, the Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV comes with a 12.3-inch digital cockpit cluster screen and a 10.25-inch central display as standard, and an Android-based Uconnect 5 infotainment system.
At the moment, it appears that Dodge has failed to offer any pricing on the Dodge Hornet R/T PHEV – with the only pricing listed in the company’s official material being for the base level Dodge Hornet GT internal combustion engine (ICE) model. The GT is expected to go on sale for under $US30,000 ($A43,000), though why Dodge has failed to list any pricing for the PHEV model is unclear.
The truth may simply be a result of release dates, with orders for the Dodge Hornet GT already open and delivery expected by the end of the year, while deliver of the Hornet R/T is expected for the Northern Spring in 2023.
Dodge also announced that the 2023 Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger line-up will be the “Last Call” for both models, but will make a splash with seven 2023 special-edition models.
“We are celebrating the end of an era — and the start of a bright new electrified future — by staying true to our brand,” said Tim Kuniskis.
Each 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger vehicle will carry a commemorative “Last Call” underhood plaque, while the seven and final 2023 Dodge model will be the very last of its kind and will be revealed at the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, scheduled for Nov. 1-4, 2022.
Keyword: Dodge unveils first electrified vehicle as it says goodbye to Charger and Challenger