Rumors Circulate about New EVs in Dodge’s 2023 Lineup
Photo Source: Dodge
The current Dodge Challenger and Charger are facing an unavoidable time limit. Even though the age of the HEMI muscle car will reach its end in December 2023, there is a transition that will allow Dodge to remain viable competition in a period of several contenders: electrification. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis was somewhat cryptic and cagey in a recent interview with Muscle Car & Trucks. Still, a few critical pieces of information could be extracted, the most notable of which delves into the lineup of the 2023 model year. Entering 2023, Dodge will acquire its first brand-new trim since 2011, the Hornet Compact Utility Vehicle, in the United States and Canada. The CUV is expected to be a linchpin for the brand, with the hope that it will prevail upon people from the mass market, something that Dodge has desired ever since the Dodge Journey and the Dodge Grand Caravan were discontinued in 2020.
The 2023 Dodge Hornet is strongly believed to add a shock of new energy to the quickly-growing CUV segment, increasing the hype surrounding the vehicle with a unique amalgamation of Dodge muscular styling surrounded by best-in-class standard performance from a multi-energy powertrain and a batch of luxurious performance features. That is not all. Rumors are also circulating about a next-generation, bigger, better Dodge Durango SUV in the works for the upcoming 2023 lineup.
2023 Hornet: Still a Classic Dodge
Even though most of its supporting structure is used in common with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, there is no mistaking the Hornet as anything other than a Dodge vehicle. The front end, for example, has a crafty grille and slender headlights, which give a powerful impression of a serious, all-business demeanor. The Road/Track trim presents black-painted lower bodywork and dual exhaust outlets incorporated into the rear bumper, while the back portion of the CUV has a tail light component that extends the car’s width. There is a particular Hornet nameplate on the fenders, with the R/T’s nameplate accentuating a cunning, little indication of the vehicle’s electrified powertrain.
Despite Dodge’s CEO’s enigmatic behavior regarding the complete lineup to look forward to, he did express total confidence in the electrified future of the brand, saying: “The Dodge brand’s electrified transformation has left the starting line, with the all-new Dodge Hornet R/T representing the first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge. The Dodge Hornet is poised to jolt the mainstream compact utility vehicle segment with looks, feel, and performance.”
The truly remarkable aspect of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, however, is the “PowerShot” boost feature. What this means for the vehicle is that the R/T is accompanied by an element that increases productivity by 25 horsepower from the electric motor. When activated, PowerShot lowers the Hornet’s zero-to-60-mph time by a full second with short surges of electric momentum.
Bigger and Bigger SUVs
While the Hornet is a relatively compact vehicle, the next-generation Durango adheres to a body-on-frame architecture that will be constructed alongside the current Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer. The Durango plays a significant role and has become a staple for the Dodge brand. Therefore, if rumors are to be believed about the structure of the SUV, the body-on-frame idea could make it a rising contender in the law enforcement arena, as agencies are moving toward larger SUVs, and with good reason. With the need to carry more computers and gear, the requirement for larger vehicles is essential and could easily make the Durango a strong challenger in the marketplace.
An even more dominant change could, supposedly, be a Dodge Durango with PHEV capabilities, which would not be a surprise considering the emphasis on the Hornet and the willingness of Dodge’s CEO to move toward electrification. With this in mind, the vehicle may go into production in late 2023.
Quality Standards
At Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer the highest degree of quality we can muster. This is the place to go if you are looking for some of the Dodge Hornet’s siblings or the quintessential Durango itself. Are you excited about the future of electric vehicles? So are we, where you have a wide selection of cars to choose from and an even wider sales team ready to come to your aid.