The upcoming Hornet will feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, according to Dodge CEO, Tim Kuniskis.
Speaking to the media today following the announcement of the company’s newly hired Chief Donut Maker, Kuniskis revealed that the personality’s role would be to follow Dodge into its electrified future. Asked whether electrified would mean all-electric or hybrid, the CEO said that the company has a lot of cars and that the Hornet will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Rumors have suggested since last August that the new model would get an electrified drivetrain to be shared with the Alfa Romeo Tonale small crossover. However, a set of leaked photos that appeared to have been shot from the factory floor suggested that the similarities wouldn’t stop there, as the Dodge Hornet prototype looked like a rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale. Whether this tester is the actual Hornet or just an internal design project, remains to be seen.
Read Also: Leaked 2023 Dodge Hornet SUV Looks Like A Rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale
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Regardless, the U.S. will get two powertrain options for the Tonale, a conventional 2.0-liter turbo’d four-cylinder engine that makes 256 hp (190 kW/260 PS), and a plug-in hybrid Q4 variant pairing a 1.5-liter turbo four with an electric motor for a system output of 272 hp. It is the latter PHEV powertrain that will be shared with the Hornet, possibly de-tuned, as is the case with the 237-hp Jeep Compass 4XE in Europe that has the same setup as the Alfa.
Sources also suggest that the vehicle will be made alongside the Tonale in Italy. Although Kuniskis did not confirm where the crossover would be made, he seemed to lend credence to those claims by stating that it is already unofficially known where it will be produced, before saying that he simply could not confirm the location before revealing the vehicle.
He did, however, state that the Hornet will be revealed this summer, provided no external, global issues, intervened.
“This grey hair you’re seeing, it’s not lockdowns, it’s not covid, it’s supply lines,” said Kuniskis before adding that the plan is to reveal the Hornet in August at around the same time as the brand’s Roadkill Nights event in Detroit. He noted though that for the event to happen, there is a risk of delay or cancellation if global events do not comply.
Kuniskis also confirmed that the all-electric muscle car it has previously teased will be revealed well before August, should all go as planned.
