Dodge, in making a bid to attack the European market, is showing the Hornet concept at the Geneva auto show. This pocket-rocket wannabe is front-wheel-drive with a 170-horsepower engine and a 6-speed tranny. Dodge is hoping the Hornet will create some excitement within the European sporty-car community.
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tryan says:
03:42 AM, 02/16/06
A less bluntly styled and more powerful Scion xB is what we have here, though the doors look like they take after the Honda Element. Either way, with its small size, practicality and sprightly, fuel-efficient engine, it has what it takes to capture Europe's attention. How European consumers take to the Dodge brand is another thing altogether....
jerrywimer says:
05:33 AM, 02/16/06
That's my take too tryan. It's actually cute in an aggressive sort of way that an unmodded xB isn't.
coachwork says:
11:36 AM, 02/16/06
This a very strong compeiter for the British Mini Cooper as well new comers like Honda Fit and Nissian Cube
tirthankar_b says:
01:18 PM, 02/16/06
Wow, looks great..
fizzernut says:
06:24 AM, 02/19/06
Hey Dodge, forget Europe what about the states? Currently GM is the only American brand with a sub-compact. But I wouldn't be caught dead in an Aveo. The only option I have left are to buy a Mini, Versa, Fit, 3dr Yaris, Rio5, or 3dr Accent. Obviously the Japanese feel there is a market where previously only the Koreans existed. This is so crazy, it's like were back in the early 70's again with the American brands coming out with muscle cars (durring high gas prices) and the Japanese importing small fuel efficient cars. Remember that? it really caught the american car industry with their collective pants down! then what happed after that? The 80's! K cars, J cars.........all crap!
I love the Hornet concept, with its suicide rear doors, supercharged engine, and mean looking stance. Do not change these things if you make it.
Bring the Hornet to the US and I will buy it, end of story.
blars says:
06:03 PM, 02/19/06
I agree bring this car to the US market and it will sell!! Just look at the scion xB which is far less exciting a design.
Reviews and more articles at
http://www.dodge-hornet.com
Make this GM! and make a SRT-4 version too!
hlmangol says:
08:13 PM, 02/21/06
Why do the good ones get sold only in other countries. If the price is anywhere near the Sicon B I would drive one home tomorrow. I went for a test drive in a Scion B back when they couldn't keep up with the demand and they were being sold at a premium. I don't know what their status is today, but i don't pay a premium for anyones car. Hey fizzernut, I have an 89 K-car sitting out front with 211000 on the clock, same 2.5 engine, same tranny, I wish I could buy another one. I drove a Caliber at North Star Dodge yesterday, great car. It was a training class car with michigan plates.
hlmangol
nyrefugee1 says:
10:18 AM, 02/24/06
Agreed, Scion Xb it is. However, Dodge, all of Diamler and every one of the US automakers should take up the Toyota challenge and remember not every one of us want or can afford $500 monthly car payments. If you loose us on the lower end to the $11K Yaris or $14K Scion, you will loose us when we "stay local" when we trade up. The engine and other technology need NOT be whiz-bang, the prize does. The developemnt and design costs of the venerable 2.2L/2.5L have been paid for. When the Hornet buzzes onto these shore, sign me up.
nyrefugee1 says:
10:42 AM, 02/24/06
Hlmmangol et al,
From what I understand, new s are introduced elsewhere to test the market and marketing stratedgies, test the REAL WORLD results (no one wants a Vega or Olds diesel), get all the required test data to pass the massive government requirements needed sell vehicles in the US. So, 18 months on sale in Europe will produce the information to sale through the Febees. The technique has been proven with the Sprinter, the Focus and others. For my money, let the European work the kinks out of me. For $14,500, I don't need anything from my car! BTW, my 3.3L '93 Caravan has only 238,000+ miles.
mikus says:
12:28 AM, 02/28/06
A usual overstyled GM car. Too many small details make the car looking like wearing a cheap plastic kit. Styled for 12-year olds, too bad they cannot save enough on their lunches to buy this car. Nowhere near xB or Cube. The only thing xB needs is 1.8 engine from Corolla and please no side rocker panels. Fold-flat front seat on Hornet is a great feature though, and pull-out door boxes is a nice touch.
bruce1066 says:
04:48 PM, 03/ 3/06
Just bought a Chevy HHR because my Mini Cooper wasn't practical enough. Would buy this Dodge the day it was offered for sale. Build it and sell it in the States.
gordancin says:
08:18 PM, 03/ 5/06
Brilliant...just brilliant! This car looks great (even if it's a bit over the top with the head/tail light treatment). Chrysler would be stupid not to build it. Once the Mini Cooper switches engines, using the Brazillian built 1.6 will probably be like a licence to mint money for them, no? Where else would they get such great returns for their investment? As far as I know this engine has proved itself and soon as they figure out which Mitsu/Hyundai to base this car on I'm buyin!
This is would be an excellent use of Daimler Chrysler's connections/resources. I can't claim to know about Stateside, but up here in Toronto, Canada (and the rest of the international market) the Dodge Hornet will be a winner!
Trust me, Brethren...a winner.
yipyipyipee says:
11:05 AM, 03/ 6/07
Is it just me or does the front of this concept look like a prototype Cylon robot?! Gasp! No, no... it's the offspring of KIT and a Cylon, that's it yeah.