The small car segment is getting big in the U.S. and getting very, very good. Look at the Fiesta, Focus, Cruze and, from what we've seen so far, the Sonic...and those are just the good domestics. Trouble is, that's only 2/3 of the Big Three providing U.S. customers with tolerable small cars. Chrysler doesn't want to be the odd man out anymore and, with some help from Fiat's C-Evo Platform (introduced on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta), they're about to get in the game.
But we knew all of this from when the company had to show a serious plan to the government to help them stay afloat. What we didn't know was how much the 2013 Dodge Hornet would look like the Alfa Giulietta -- at least in general shape.
The grille is different and isn't a forced crosshair affair, but it's not the best angle. Like so many girls wandering around SoCal in yoga pants, the best angle of the new Hornet is from the rear. And that's because from the back, it's all Alfa.
And on the inside it looks like a double-binnacle design with an information screen between them. We can also see steering wheel buttons (it is 2011 after all) on a sporty-looking wheel.
stovt001 says:
11:16 AM, 07/26/11
Alfa styling, Dodge pricing, and a cool name. This has the potential to get interesting, especially with the improvements to Dodge and Chrysler interiors.
rr811 says:
11:22 AM, 07/26/11
Chrysler please dont screw this up
mckman says:
11:27 AM, 07/26/11
I can't agree more. Chrysler please don't screw this up.
csubowtie says:
11:37 AM, 07/26/11
Hopefully they will be smart enough to switch the SRT-4 over to this platform as well.
lions208487 says:
11:41 AM, 07/26/11
It's a nice Neon replacment. Nice name to keep with the retro theme that Dodge has mastered. Hopefully the interior will be all Fiat and the engine is as csubowtie mentioned from the the SRT-4.
exesol says:
12:12 PM, 07/26/11
i hope the tail lights will show up on the dodge model!!! and i agree with everyone DONT SCREW THIS UP!
lostboyz says:
12:17 PM, 07/26/11
Wow, people can't identify a mule vehicle when they see one. Its obviously just a giulietta thats been modified to be the wheelbase of the final product. I wouldn't take much from the interior or exterior. Usually the bits they hide are what the final product will have.
toyotaforlife says:
12:56 PM, 07/26/11
Chrysler needs to offer a sedan instead of another hatchback.
ed124c says:
02:09 PM, 07/26/11
It had better be REALLY good, because there are already a lot of compact cars out there, and most of them are REALLY good.
With a little luck, this car won't fall between the cracks. For those of us who consider ourselves car people, the drivetrain will be crucial. For instance, it better come with a stick. And not just as an afterthought on the basic model.
If Chrysler was smart-- and innovative-- they would just offer one trim level, optioned up to the stuff that most people want anyway.
starliner54 says:
02:40 PM, 07/26/11
There is a strong possibility that this first Dodge/Fiat effort will not be a low cost compact, but being based on the C-Evo platform, the Hornet, and a future Chrysler model, will be more upscale.
Of course, we can expect the 1.4 liter multiaire as standard to achieve the needed 40 mpg, but there may not be stripper models of these initial series. This theory is being put forward by Chrysler employees.
thelosers says:
03:08 PM, 07/26/11
FYI "toyota4life", Chrysler/Dodge don't offer any hatchbacks at this time. The closest thing is the Dodge Cal. which is classified as a wagon. Get your facts straight. While your at it, tell the car maker that is apparently your favorite to start making some cars that aren't compeltely boring and don't totally suck.
thelosers says:
03:09 PM, 07/26/11
FYI "toyota4life", Chrysler/Dodge don't offer any hatchbacks at this time. The closest thing is the Dodge Cal. which is classified as a wagon. Get your facts straight. While your at it, tell the car maker that is apparently your favorite to start making some cars that aren't compeltely boring and don't totally suck.
merc1 says:
03:25 PM, 07/26/11
Keep the Italian styling and make it reliable underneath with the right powertrains and this will be a hit. This donor car is gorgeous, inside and out. Hopefully they will keep as much of the Italian design that they can, but make the interior suitable to U.S. needs/tastes.
M
garrym says:
03:31 PM, 07/26/11
Good potential with these upcoming models. The Cruze and Focus are very, very good cars And the Chrysler people know their vehicle has to be as good or better. The side shot of the one prototype tells me interior space should be plentiful. A non-hatch model would be a good idea, but might not be possible to develope just yet on limited funds.
Don't screw this up Chrysler.
lautomobile says:
04:15 PM, 07/26/11
I must concur with lostboyz. The fact that they didn't camo that gorgeous rear end is disconcerting.
mini23 says:
05:10 PM, 07/26/11
You guys do not appear to be very good observers. First of all look at the welding lines on the front hood,the roof, and the rear door. This must obviously be a cobbled up Giulieta mule made to fit the C-Evo "wide"platform. The Dodge version is not going to look anything like this. Also if you look dead on from the front you can see where the hood is raised and coming into the classic Alfa V in the front. That prooves that this is simply slapped together mule to test the chassis platform. It is wishful thinking but forget it. The Dodge Hornet will look decidedly different then this.
jscion says:
05:49 PM, 07/26/11
This looks like an Alfa all around to me. If you look closely into the mesh on the grill camo, it looks to be the narrow upside down triangle Alfa grill. This is a mule at best!
jwfisher says:
07:42 PM, 07/26/11
Come on! That's a mule. It's an Alfa that has been cut lengthwise and widthwise to make it longer and wider. It's got a Dodge grill and (god-awful fugly) headlamps stuck on it for hot-weather testing. The rest of it has no visual relationship with what the final product will be. Given the weld lines, this ought to be very obvious.
-JW
DrivingEnthusiast.net
dragstrip says:
10:30 PM, 07/26/11
Could be a very nice car. But just don't call it Hornet, keep the Caliber name at least that sounds more macho. Hornet sounds like its headed for failure just like Pacer and Gremlin. Dodge does have some of the coolest names when it comes to cars.....Charger, Avenger, Caliber, Nitro, Challenger, Viper, even Intrepid was nice.....my favorite was the Magnum hope they bring that model back.
zoomzoom22 says:
10:36 PM, 07/26/11
That's just a mule, but I'm still excited about it. There's no way this curvy, European styling will make it into Dodge's manly, aggressive, in-your-face styling lineup. Dodge's don't have bulbous, circular headlights or small, narrow front grilles. Expect the Dart to look a lot different.
Also, +1 to "Chrysler, please don't screw this up"
zoomzoom22 says:
10:37 PM, 07/26/11
^Not sure why I called it the Dart.
to626n says:
11:02 PM, 07/26/11
Was in Europe for the first time recently and I have to say in person the Giulietta is gorgeous. Just like all Alfa's it's so passionately styled. Attention Chrysler: Don't make too many changes and screw it up. The car is great the way it is. Now if they could only bring over the 158 and 8C...
lostboyz says:
03:42 AM, 07/27/11
@to626n, the 8C is sold here and do you mean the 159? I don't think they even make that anymore.
juan_mx says:
04:39 AM, 07/27/11
My guess is that they are testing the Giulietta...
...no Hornet, no mule, no changes, a plain Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
throwback says:
06:10 AM, 07/27/11
Engineering mule or Hornet mule makes no difference to me. Dodge needs a competitive C segment car. Personally I have no problems with a Guilietta with a Dodge grill. That car is gorgeous.
exinobel102 says:
09:44 AM, 07/27/11
I really hope that this is a test mule, because those slick body panels don't really fit into or complement Dodge's brute and muscular design language. I'm not calling the ugly, quite the opposite. I myself wouldn't mind buying it as a rebadged Chrysler. Put a 6 speed manual in it along with a decent power plant and I would grab one. Looks like a Mazda3 wagon with alot more class.
pontiaksolsice says:
10:03 AM, 07/27/11
Hmm, should I get an Alfa based Dodge or an Opel based Buick? Decisions, decisions...
mini23 says:
10:21 AM, 07/27/11
In an article today at "left Lane News" Sergio Marchionne reaffirms that Fiat will keep Chrysler group
very American rather then inject Euro styling influence on it. "That's somthing we wont screw up". Marchionne is very concious of the fact that injecting any significant euro styling will turn people off.
Based on this the Dodge Hornet will look very different then this cobeled up mule. I only hope that they don't muck around with the steering and suspension too much. The Giulietta has decent steering feel and good handling. If Dodge can maintain this driving feel with good refinement I think they will have a winner on it's hands in the C segment arena.
sschmuve says:
12:08 PM, 07/27/11
http://www.insideline.com/alfa-romeo/giulietta/2011/2011-alfa-romeo-giulietta-first-drive.html
90in55 says:
10:06 PM, 07/27/11
We're going to get a re-badged Alfa marketed as a Dodge, and over in Europe they'll be selling the Chrysler 300 disguised as a Lancia. This Chrysler-Fiat marriage is getting weirder by the minute.
As someone who grew up loving Alfa Romeos, I feel sorry for what's become of this once legendary marque. First there was the Fiat takeover in the mid 80s, resulting in some very forgettable models, save for the gorgeous 156. And now Fiat is pimping Alfa to Chrysler. Tragic.
alfaandy says:
07:34 AM, 07/28/11
anyone who knows Alfa's can clearly see that thats not a Dodge at ALL!!! its clearly an Alfa Romeo Giulietta! It still has the Alfa badging on the rear. Now thats a car I would spend my money on.
juan_mx says:
10:12 AM, 07/28/11
I wonder if they are testing the US version of the 1750TBi engine (232hp, 250lb-ft in Europe).
sioxie says:
12:30 PM, 07/28/11
hmmm! agree! it has Alfa styling cues all over it! but that teeny weeny exhaust tip better not make it into production!!! Looking forward to this hot hatch!!! stealth rear door handle is a plus!
karz4life10 says:
06:11 PM, 07/30/11
Maybe the Caliber replacement?
captainvw says:
06:41 AM, 08/ 1/11
rr811: +1
man i hope this turns out to be a good car
bengal3200 says:
12:18 PM, 08/31/11
I would buy one. It'd be great to have an SRT4 version of it, too!