Automotive Engineering - September 2022 - 18

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Hornet, first electrified Dodge, arrives for 2023 MY
The industry's red-hot and crowded
compact-utility vehicle market gets a
newcomer for the 2023 model year with
an electrified, top-of-the-line version of
the Dodge Hornet. " It's intentional to
enter a segment that's growing fast
with a younger demographic that's
more predisposed to early adoption of
electrification, " said Tim Kuniskis, CEO
of Stellantis' Dodge brand. The vehicle
made its global debut on August 16
during Dodge Speed Week at the M1
Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan.
SAE Media interviewed Kuniskis and
others about the new Hornet. The basemodel
Hornet GT will be ICE-powered,
while the Hornet R/T will reign as the
Dodge brand's first electrified nameplate.
" R/T models have always been
the performance step-up, " Kuniskis
said, noting the plug-in hybrid electric
R/T will be the faster, more-powerful
variant of the Hornet.
Hornet GT's Hurricane 2.0-L turbocharged
inline 4-cylinder is projected to
produce more than 265 hp and 295 lb-ft
(499 Nm). The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep
Cherokee SUVs use the engine, and it is
the foundation ICE component of the
4xe PHEV propulsion system. The
Hurricane has an aluminum block and
head, and the Hornet GT's version is
paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The Hurricane I-4 shares some
traits - such as common bore and
stroke and cylinder spacing - with its
sibling, the Hurricane twin-turbo I-6. The
I-6 is available in the Jeep Wagoneer
and Grand Wagoneer SUVs.
The 2023 Hornet GT shown is propelled by a turbocharged 2.0-L 4-cyl.,
while the R/T variant has a PHEV drivetrain that generates in excess of 285 hp
Dodge claims the entry-level Hornet
GT will have the quickest 0-60 mph
(0-97 km/h) time in the compact-utility
vehicle segment that includes the Ford
Escape, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Rogue
and the Toyota RAV4, the perennial
bestseller in the U.S. Hornet will be a
differentiator in its market segment,
said Dodge officials. " Hornet GT is a
no-kidding, high-performance vehicle
at a price point under $30,000, " said
Micky Bly, senior VP, head of global propulsion
systems at Stellantis.
Plug-in performance
The electrified Hornet R/T sports a 1.3-L
twin-turbo 4-cylinder with third-generation
Multiair technology to adjust valve lift
and timing; it's coupled with a 6-speed
Aisin automatic transmission and a 121-hp
(90-kW) electric motor powered by a
The Hornet's cabin
includes a standard TFT
gauge cluster and a 10.25inch
center display.
18 September 2022
15.5-kWh, 306-volt lithium-ion battery
pack. The Hornet R/T's combined power
output is projected to exceed 285 hp and
383 lb-ft (519 Nm); the ICE powering the
front axle provides 199 lb-ft (270 Nm),
while the rear e-motor provides 184 lb-ft
(249 Nm). Bly noted that the vehicle will
have an electric driving range of approximately
30 miles (48 km). " Pending EPA
certification, that's a 70-plus mpg equivalent
when driving as an EV and ICE together, "
said Bly.
The Hornet R/T gets the first application
of the Dodge-exclusive PowerShot
technology; according to Bly, the effect
is similar to the Challenger Hellcat's
launch mode. The PowerShot activation
process starts with a button push and
pulling the steering wheel paddles.
After a system check of the battery's
temperature and state of charge, a
gauge cluster indicator shows that the
PowerShot is ready. Depressing the accelerator
then unleashes a 25-hp battery-power
boost. The process can be
repeated after a 15-second cool-down.
PowerShot improves the 0-60 mph
time by a second, Bly said. The Hornet
GT in sport mode accelerates from 0-60
mph in 6.5 seconds and the R/T accelerates
0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds.
The 2023 Hornet GT reaches dealerships
in late 2022. The Hornet R/T is slated
to arrive in dealerships in spring 2023.
Kami Buchholz
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
BOTH IMAGES: STELLANTIS
Automotive Engineering - September 2022

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