February 15, 2006
Dodge Hornet takes off
Looking like the progeny of a frenzied one-night stand between a Dodge Ram and a Dodge Charger, the Hornet is sure to stir up a, erm, buzz.

Not even Dodge seems quite sure where its new baby Hornet fits into the world of motoring, but who cares when it has more attitude than Mike Tyson just after you've poked him in the eye?

Size-wise, the Hornet is somewhere between a supermini and a small hatch, but its boxy styling creates a big and versatile interior.

Access to the inside is through conventional front doors, but the rear doors are hinged from their rear edge, in a similar fashion to the Mazda RX-8.

There's plenty of yoof-appeal in the cabin, while under the bonnet is an insurance-friendly 1.6-litre engine - although it does have a supercharger to add some oomph in the form of 170bhp.

For the time being, the Hornet remains a concept, but Dodge is confident there's a strong market for the car in the US and Europe.



http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/515/

 

umm, are you serious? Looks like a mini chop.

 

I don't know James, I find it strangely cool.

 

It is kind of cool looking. I could see high school kids driving them.

 

Are you sure it isn't a Scion xB with a Ram on it?

 

Looks like a Nitro with an extra dose of ugly.

 

Well Charlie, I don't find it ugly. It is just, well weird! Not my cup of tea, but if it sells cars for them, more power to 'em.

BTW, was great getting to meet you and Tim and of course Scott last week.

 

I think its cool.....not my thing....but I bet a bunch of kids my age (early 20's) would get into them.

 

took the words right out of my mouth. A restyled scion.

 

I am 19, and if any of my friends thought this was cool I would not be their friend anymore.

 

Hornet is not the right name for this car.

What platform is it?

 

I think it's kind of cool. Anyone notice the 80's style hood scoop?

TONY

 

4 door speakers in the front doors alone?

Regardless of whether it looks good or bad to us (performance guys in here), this thing is DIFFERENT. It will get the driver noticed, and that is what many people are after. You know the types... they can't tell you the difference between a butt plug and a spark plug, but they know how to look good and socialize.

It will sell - probably 30-50k units first year IMO. But I think it is aimed straight at the Scion/PT Cruiser/Element crowd, which is not really in Chevy or Fords portfolios anyways.

With no B-pillar and suicide doors... I wonder how crash test ratings are looking for this thing?
And roof-strength in rollovers...

 

it looks like a seriously riced out Xb/Xa hybrid. eww...

 

[flame suit ON]
I find it pretty attractive, kinda like the Vibe on steriods. I also like the Nitro quite a bit and the Compass concept (though the production one got screwed up quite a bit).