Of all the subcompacts that are gonna be flooding the US I think the Fit has the best chance of being popular (best looking by far)... but how will American car markers answer? I think this is maybe their answer??

http://www.dodge-hornet.com

 

wait are those extra fog lights in the mirrors... Yeah this one is a Small 4 Cly PUSH ROD BEAST... Not sure how they did it, But She's Getin R Done

 

I wonder what kind of fuel economy it gets?

 

Wow, this car certainly has storage, and love the suicide rear doors & glass ceiling. Based on weight and shape i'm guessing this car gets a combined 26-27 mpg US. Innovative center console. If Dodge gives about as much std. equipment in the base models for the hornet and is priced competitively, then there will be good competition for between the Fit, Hornet, Yaris, and Versa

 

Interesting that they call the car a Hornet. There used to be a Hudson Hornet that was a killer in the early 1950s. Had a flathead 6 cyl with twin carbs and a hydramatic type trans, and was able to run with the Oldsmobile V-8's of the day. Hudson was bought by what eventually became American Motors, which was bought by Chrysler, so I guess that's how Chrysler got the name. Hope this Hornet will be as good as the original.

 

After I looked at the photos, I realized they were shot just outside Phoenix, at the Chrysler proving grounds. Interesting car, with no space behind the rear seats (and I thought Scion xA was bad). I don't remember seeing any photos of this car on any of the web sites. Maybe it will be like driving a Mini, with worse gas mileage. Well, it does have a supercharger, so it ought to get down the road fairly well. See what happens with it.

 

fugly

and soo biting off the scion xb....which copied the honda smx

 

This is very good news as for the import micro car lovers like us, as it will leave the competition no choice but to produce performance micro cars or be left behind in the performance category. thank you Dodge. Many appologies for making my father park in the street as not to get oil on my driveway!!!

 

Hmmm!!!! Seems like somebody at DaimlerChrysler is looking at seriously competing against the new subcompacts from Honda, Toyota and Nissan now and Ford and Mazda next year.

I have this feeling that DaimlerChrysler will show this car around to judge customer reaction to see if American buyers want such a vehicle. Given the success of the Scion xA and xB, it might be stronger than people think.

Now, if we can just talk DaimlerChrysler into putting in that Volkswagen-developed two-stage supercharger/turbocharger 1.4-liter I-4 engine rated at 167 bhp (SAE 08/04 net) into the Hornet....

 

Reminds me of the current JDM Swift...

 

Yes JohnnieDee...a lot like the swift.

I like this car...looks good and very functional as well. My problem with it is that I can't seem to bring myself to purchase another "American" brand car due to quality factors as well as depreciation. I will say that Chrysler/Daimler is far better than any GM or Ford product out there.
It will be interesting to see this car come to production in 2008.

 

Also factor in the Mexican't / VW connection and I forsee another first year new generation Bug fiasco in the making....

 

I want this car, screw the fit! sorry

letter sent to Dodge.

"I a currently looking a purchasing a subcompact such as Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Scion xA, or Mini Cooper. Before locking my self into a six year loan on one of these cars I absolutly must know if Dodge is going to build this for the US within the next year or so. If they are I will buy a used car to tide me over until I can buy a Hornet. My family has two vehicles, one of which is a Dodge Durango. The Durango is the family vehicle. The other is a Chevrolet Malibu which gets horid gas mileage. I workover 20 miles from my house and need my second car to be a small car good on gas, but I can't stand gutless engines such as the ones common in this category, so please make the Hornet!"

 

Thank you for your recent email expressing interest in one of our
concept vehicles.

We are pleased to read of your interest in the Dodge Hornet concept
vehicle. Unfortunately, because this vehicle is still in the concept
stage, there is no pricing or production data available.

Many of our concept vehicles have made it to market, such as the
Plymouth Prowler, Dodge Viper, and the Chrysler PT Cruiser. I have
documented your interest and will forward it to the product planning
department.

If you have further questions, please feel free to use the reply link
below. You may also call us on our toll-free number at 1-800-964-0600.

You can view online information on the Dodge Hornet concept vehicle by
visiting the site below:

http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/feeds/dodge-all.xml

You may also like to visit www.dcxevents.com for additional concept
vehicle information.

Thank you for your interest in our concept vehicles.

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Keerit
Senior Staff Representative
Dodge Information Center












So the first linke takes you to Edmunds where I posted this message there:
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.




Nissan GOD

 

that car looks awesome i love the sits (i'm also one of those people that loves the xb though - i don't know why people hate cars that look different). but knowing chrysler, the mileage must be horrible.

 

I can't understand why all Chrysler/Dodge products have to look like a pickup truck mated with a telephone booth! If I want something that looks like a truck, I'd buy a truck. But since I think trucks are about as aerodynamic as a barn door, you won't catch me in one, unless I'm dead or being abducted!
Message to Daimler/Chysler: Make cars that look like cars! Fire the idiots on the design team and spend the money on quality parts!!! Why do you think people are willing to spend a little more for a Honda?

Anyway, that's my rant for today, now I can have a happy weekend!!!

 

Mid to high twenties MPG? Does not sound like a car for the future.

My last fill up (2001 Civic HX) - 42 mpg. Mostly highway driving. Normally I get around 38 mpg.

Peak Oil here we come...

 

OT-The Dodge Caliber, the neon Replacement, has an SRT model comeing out. 300hp.

Its still a Dodge and will die at 75k miles.

 

You know, I already thought the Caliber looked like a design study from the AMC trach can but the choice of the name Hornet confirms it! AMC lives! Now bring back the Nash Metropolitan!

 

- bring back the Gremlin!!!:D