2006 Dodge Hornet Concept
So far for 2006, DaimlerChrysler Group, and in particular the Dodge brand has gone all out with new introductions. It started the year off with a bang at Detroits NAIAS with the jaw-droppingly gorgeous Challenger Concept, followed through with another muscular stroke by introducing the Charger SRT-8 SuperBee, and continued the afront with the compact segments newest arrival, the Caliber. And if these werent enough, Dodge stole the spotlight in Chicago by debuting three more vehicles, the Nitro midsize SUV, the 300-horsepower Caliber SRT4 and the practical Rampage sport-utility-pickup concept. After doing the rounds on the American auto show circuit, Dodge is off to Europe where it will be promoting the same Nitro and Caliber, plus this new subcompact Hornet Concept at this years Geneva Motor Show.
DaimlerChrysler is eager to expand into Europe and beyond, and theyve marked their intent by delivering vehicles that are daring and experimentive. Look no further than the zen-lounge-inspired Chrysler Akino concept for an example, which, aside from its chrome-winged grille and brand name, shares little in common with any Chrysler ever produced. The Hornet is much the same for Dodge. The physical dimensions of this concept place it directly inside the subcompact B-Segment, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Toyotas Yaris and Chevrolets Aveo. But Dodge, a non-native to this end of the spectrum, has gone about things differently; the Hornet isnt a normal looking hatchback, its got a sort of MINI-meets-Scion xB look to it, which ought to appeal to younger audiences across the globe.
I suppose without any previous experience in developing B-segment cars (at least in modern times), Dodge had the freedom to turn the Hornet into an all-out design experiment; but these results show that Dodge is certainly onto something. Like the Akino, which shares nothing with the typical all-American Chrysler, the Hornet makes a Neon seem like a large car; yet this two-box concept is unmistakably Dodge, and unabashedly American. Perhaps its that bold, in-your-face look that can be traced back to the Ram full-size pickup, or the new-style grille thats popped up on the Nitro and Caliber. From the back side there are less obvious clues to its Ram-brand heritage (in fact, take the Viper stripes away and there arent any), but as with most cars, the defining characteristics have always been head on.
In presenting this radical two-box shape to a relatively fresh audience, Dodge has worked to dress up the Hornet to the tastes of European youth. The principal design team, lead by Mark Moushegian, used the ever-popular Super 1600 Rally Cars (Junior WRC) and the sport compact scene for inspiration. The Hornets oversized flared fenders give it a chunky look, while a visible intercooler and a small, offset hood scoop show a little bit of the Hornets muscle. Dodge has embraced the sport tuner world, including the kind of goodies and accessories that most teens and youngsters would otherwise sink their hard-earned dollars into, including gold-colored brake calipers, which poke out from inside cool-looking 19-inch alloy wheels. All the glass and the big, panoramic sunroof has been tinted in Blue View, like a pair of fashion sunglasses, and the whole car has received a coat of slick Beryllium Gray-colored paint with those aforementioned contrasting Viper stripes.
Viper stripes on a subcompact? While these might at first seem a little over the top, the Hornet isnt all show and no go. In fact, its got a fair amount of go under its stout n stubby hood. A 1.6-liter overhead cam engine has been supercharged to make 170-horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque, stellar numbers for this class. While DCX hasnt said where the engine was sourced, Im almost certain that its the same powerhouse unit fitted to MINIs Cooper S, which in itself was developed partially by Chrysler for use in everything from Neons and PT Cruisers, to MINIs and Rovers. Regardless of its origins, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox the Hornet is able to zing to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds before reaching a top speed of 130 mph. By comparison, thats on par with what the much-lauded MINI Cooper S can do, which in itself is one capable vehicle.
All things considered, theres almost no surprise in the reasoning behind why Dodge named this car the Hornet. Without getting too punny, its engine has a decent amount of sting to it, and it packs quite a wallop considering its diminutive size (by Dodge standards), and not to mention the fact that its sure to cause a buzz at its launch. The Hornet also has some historical relevance, from the 50s era Hudson Hornet to the AMC Hornet, a 70s era "compact" which was available with V8 power, no less, and fell into Chryslers hands when it took over American Motors to claim Jeep as its own. Today, the flying, stinging insect name works with Dodges SuperBee products, such as the Ram and Charger SRT-8.
Getting back to the car itself, access to the interior is through four doors, two of which are rear-hinged for easy entry with an integrated B-Pillar. Who are we kidding; this style of door is popular at the moment, and would be great to see on any forthcoming product; subcompact, compact, midsize or SUV. The Hornet also gets neat-looking floating seats trimmed in special Pique cloth, and a cantilever-style armrest that folds to provide clear access to the console-mounted shift-knob. The center consoles main elements - the navigation system, HVAC and stereo controls - feature chunky, tactile controls which mimic exterior styling. The grouped instrument cluster and thick-rimmed, tuning-fork spoke steering wheel also promote the Hornets sporting image.
Aside from the styling of the vehicle inside and out, things get pretty funky concerning the interiors layout. Five can be carried comfortably aboard, and the rear 60/40 split bench slides on castors to free up an additional 8.9 inches of space for long-legged passengers. Aside from the drivers seat, everything folds flat, turning the Hornet into a very spacious cargo-hauler, while, for extra tall objects, the rear seats can be folded flush against the tailgate, an enhanced version of whats fitted to the Honda Fit. With such a tall body and spacious interior volume, the Hornets clever flexible seating allows lounge-style relaxation, promoting its use as a lifestyle vehicle. Other neat touches to the interior include detachable cubbies with bungee cords to help keep smaller items at bay, plus a drink-cooling cupholder and fold-out trays.
And unlike previous compact performance Dodges, such as the smart Roadster-based Slingshot or the simplistic Razor, the Hornet stands a good chance of being produced, and not just for some far-off market. The two-box subcompact B-Segment is rapidly growing in North America, and after the success of the Scion xB and other tall hatchbacks models, it would be almost foolish for Dodge to ignore it. Further good news comes in the form of the announced partnership between Chrysler and Volkswagen to produce the next-generation Caravan and Sharan minivans; could DCX and VW Group join forces to create a new subcompact platform architecture in the same way that Chrysler worked with Mitsubishi in the Lancer-Caliber project? It would definitely make sense, allowing both manufacturers to re-enter the North American scene with a subcompact vehicle and provide VW with a solution to its aging Polo.
In Europe, Dodge is keen to push the image that its products arent merely gigantic gas guzzlers, but rather, more in-tune with Europes narrow streets and high fuel prices. For a brand thats relatively unknown in Europe (Dodges - including the Viper - were rebranded as Chryslers up until recently), the Caliber has already received critical acclaim in Europe, showing that its formula is working, and future products such as the Nitro midsize SUV should also improve its chances of success. Eventually, the North American arm of DCX (Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep) aims to increase its market share in Europe from 0.9 percent to 1.6 percent by 2009, and its a prospect that could certainly be pushed along by a smart (sorry for the DCX subcompact pun), hip and modern vehicle like the Hornet.