Dodge Hornet gets the green light
Dodge's angry, honey-I-shrunk-the-truck Scion-killer is apparently a go. And, despite some reservations, Chrysler has commissioned Chery to build it as part of Chrysler's three-year, $3 billion product renewal plan.
It's of course too early to tell what exactly the production model will have in store, but the concept sported a 170 hp supercharged four-cylinder, putting it placing it just below a GTI in size and performance. I don't know about everyone else, but this is a concept that I think would be a perfect addition to the already quite competitive B-segment just the way it is. Wishful thinking, I know, and maybe even irrelevant thinking, since the car will probably be sold exclusively over the pond. Unless you think Chrysler and its three new heads are smart... hmmm....
[Source: AutoBlog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave S 3:40PM (6/08/2007)
Why does it always seem like the American compacts are "just behind" the imports? If you're going to build it - and its AWESOME looking, why not have it either get crazy mpg or _sick_ performance? Why screw around?
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Rick 9:50AM (6/11/2007)
Scion killer? Not with that bloated supermegahorsepowercharged engine. That's just a baby Nitro Scion wanna be.
Leave the design alone and drop a smaller engine in it and price it around $14k.
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Bungle 9:22AM (6/11/2007)
I think it's because the American market tends to prefer well-appointed cars, even in this segment, which leads them to be bloated, slow, and lacking in fuel efficiency. I seem to remember the Hornet concept weighing in at around 3000 lbs., which is completely ridiculous for a small car.
I'm a nut for the "hot hatch" segment as well, and I drool over the slew of fast, sleek European hatches that I see in car magazines. If we even get something resembling on of those cars (and we usually don't - think Civic Type R, Focus RS, etc.) it's invariably overloaded with useless gadgets and accommodations, about 1000 lbs. too heavy, and lacking on horsepower (I guess due to stricter emissions requirements?). We seem to love our horsepower, but for some reason, just not in small cars.
I'd love to buy a Hornet, but only if it was closer to 2000 lbs., and wasn't built by Dodge or Chery. ;-)
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