More MINI Competition - The Dodge Hornet

dickdavid Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I see no competition here. It’s cute in a Scion Xa kind of way, but the bottom line is that it’s a DODGE.

Brent Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Does this have the same engine as the Cooper S? Looks like the same specs and isn’t the current unit built by Daimler in Brazil. Looks like they are trying to find a home for this engine?

GMINI Feb 15th, 2006 Link

stripes and all. a hummer for your cherokee, a commander for your hummer.

Makes me think matrix, too.

indimini Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Perhaps Daimler-Chrysler is looking for a platform for the supercharged Tritec engine?

rhawth99 Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Cool looking and neat idea but awful heavy (3100 lbs.).

AJ Igel Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Wow, that’s ugly. I wouldn’t be caught dead in one, and a lot of Mini drivers probably feel the same way.

That being said, its still nicer looking than a Scion xA, and I do like the idea of car makers rolling out smaller cars (death to SUVs)

doug Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I dunno… I think this could mean great price wars and competative marketing for the MINI.

What i’m not diggin on is the face.

Otherwise it’s a pretty promising little machine. It’s for Europe right now but who knows what can happen between now and then.

Dodge is one of the most innovative and successful automakers of this new century. Let’s look foward to what they come to the game with!

dgszweda Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Call me crazy, but I like it. It looks a little like a cross between a Mini Cooper, Toyota Scion Xa, and a Renault Megane. Not sure I would give up my Mini for it, but it does look interesting.

I really like the slew of small cars starting to hit our shores as well as being made from American manufacturers. There are some really nice ones in Europe that would be great over here (Seat Leon Cupra R anyone?)

Bob Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Ugh, reminds me of the equally ugly PT Cruiser.

Ted Feb 15th, 2006 Link

A very strong “Lego design” factor.
Side mirrors, front grill&lights, fog lights, wheels, side panels, rear wing, rear lights, bumpers, exhaust, window panels and body stripes.
I bet you, you can make this car out of standard lego pieces………..where’s that article from Wired Magazine that I didn’t read yet. This car is for the Lego Generation…which is a fun segment for them.

O(=^=)O Capn Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Hmmn, I like it. unfortunatly, when it gets built it will more likly be up to par of a Geo Metro. They can never get anything right in this segment. They aleady are going wayyyy cheap on the interior. Fat person car anyone?

Ted Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Here it is…“The Lego Army Wants You” cover story current issus of Wired Magazine.
Greeks in Toyland-Mindstorms
Wired Article
Wired

Z4MINI Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I like it. Sure it is a bit heavy. Sure it is probably a bit pokey.

But add a dash of handling, power and a MINI badge and….

Todd Feb 15th, 2006 Link

As many have said already, it’s got a bit of Scion and a bit of MINI. It’s a little boxy but I would applaud Chrysler for bringing this to market. Like it or hate it, at least it would get a reaction other than the yawn elicited by the current crop of new car offerings.

I’m not saying that I like it. It really seems to be an amalgam of design elements “borrowed” from other vehicles, ahem, MINI. And does anyone else notice the floating seat concept rearing it’s head - again.

mg5904 Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Weight and Dimensions
Vehicle Weight (est.): 1409 kg. b[/b]
Porker!

NJ Ron Feb 15th, 2006 Link

If you parked this thing next to a Gremlin, it would still be ugly.

Glenn Feb 15th, 2006 Link

The seats don’t look very comfortable in the Concept, but otherwise I like the layout and the suicide doors. The overall shape is a bit chunkier than I go for, but I think this is good competition for things like the Versa, xA, Fit, and Yaris.

doug Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Watch… like MINI has JCW This will have a HEMI SRT.

eto Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Not a bad try by Daimler Chrysler. Definitely seems to have the tritec engine. Way too heavy though. Seems to me more of an attempt at capturing the Scion tuner crowd than the MINI crowd. It blends the lines of the xA and xB, but weighs hundreds of pounds more than either.

Perhaps the extra power will compensate for the weight, but it will by no means be competition in the corners for a MINI - standard Cooper or S.

Kurt Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Ran over my wife in a Dodge.

/too obscure?
//a penny for anyone that can tell me what tv show that’s from

RVator Feb 15th, 2006 Link

This is definately going after the Mini market. “We went for a rallye-inspired look-robust, capable, and most definitely not ‘cutesy.’” That looks like they are trying to slam the Mini for being too “cute”.
They even used the term “motoring”. That’s not too obvious, is it?

Pete Feb 15th, 2006 Link

A face and body only a mother could love…

Z4MINI Feb 15th, 2006 Link

We went for a rallye-inspired look-robust, capable, and most definitely not ‘cutesy.’” That looks like they are trying to slam the Mini for being too “cute”.

That’s because the MINI IS TOO CUTE. Easy Target.

GSKChicago Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I ran over my wife in a Dodge!” -Al Bundy, “Married With Children”

Don’t know if it’s good that I knew that one or not?

doug Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I think they know their market, and it’s not cute.

Rallye inspired…
When I think that I think of the old Citroens and the sort.

But the HOT American hatch that SHOULD be on our soil is the 2006 Ford Focus RS… whew.. that is Rallye style.

Ford’s Rallye Winner

doug Feb 15th, 2006 Link

The link I meant to dropRally/WRC/2004/00%20Ford%20Focus%202006=RS%20WRC%20Conc

Aaron Feb 15th, 2006 Link

On first glance, I like the look. It’s the right size, the tires are far out to the corners and it’s got a cool beefy look going on. Even the side-view mirrors w/ spot lights are cool (though probably illegal in every state).

By the time it hits production, they will drop the big wheels, the styled headlights and the beefy looking front fenders that sweep down into the front bumpers. It’s got some style now, but the bean-counters at Dodge will take over and turn it into the hideous lovechild of an Isuzu Rodeo and a Renault econo-box, with none of the build quality (sarcasm intended).

It’s kind of interesting. If you cover up everything above the roofline, it has some of the styling cues of the MINI w/ the wheels to the corners, arches, hood scoop, etc. but if you cover everything below the beltline, it looks just like a Scion xB.

Dave Feb 15th, 2006 Link

More Competition?
- Chili Red & White
- A nice stripe
- Toggle switches
- An interior that belongs in the MINI GP

Exterior
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4

Interior
Picture 5
Picture 6

Giacomo Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I’ll take the Hudson thank you.

Chris LW Feb 15th, 2006 Link

interesting, if it’s like the first Neon it will be way underpowered, tho’ there is a sporty version of the Neon that a friend of mine loves to x-cross with, kind of a sleeper….won’t the Tritec engine be near its “end of life” by the time this appears?

ps gabe it’s “styling cues” not “styling queues”….cheers!

Giacomo Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Dave, thanks that car is very kool.

Siddhartha Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Well, Dodge did two things right: they employed the Tritec engine and added brake cooling ducts to the front fascia. Now if they could lose 600 pounds and beef up the suspension, they might have something. Wouldn’t it be fun to bolt a JCW kit on it? No reason why it wouldn’t fit, it’s the same engine.
On another note, that #207 Peugeot Dave found arouses in me a serious case of autolust!

Da Boy Feb 15th, 2006 Link

How to spot a counterfeit MINI…

Frank Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Bring it on! I am very glad to see other manufactuers following the MINI’s lead. All of a sudden “small” cars are the cool thing to have. The subcompact market is hot, hot!

This car reeks to me a little too much Scion xB but it does look much better. Good to see Chrysler taking the initiative among the Detroit’s darlings.

eto Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Quote ChrisLW:

there is a sporty version of the Neon that a friend of mine loves to x-cross with

Hopefully, he’s racing a Neon ACR. It was a run of Neons designed for class racing circuits. For the first year, you had to have an SCCA license to purchase one. It had the higher HP DOHC engine (150hp), stiffer suspension, adjustable Koni struts, no AC, no stereo, no options… period. The first few years of the ACR was built on the base neon, which had the least sound-deadening insulation in the cabin, resulting in a car which weighed just over 2400 lbs. Needless to say, the very early Neon ACRs made a huge impact on their class.

Dodge has totally embraced the “Hemi” attitude, so everything has to have high HP/torque, go straight performance as evidenced by the Neon SRT-4.

Ted Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Siddhartha…please control yourself…here this should help you…Peugeot 207

AJ Igel Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Autoweek photo gallery

Kurt Feb 15th, 2006 Link

GSKChicago wins the penny. That line was from an episode of Married With Children.

johnsocal Feb 15th, 2006 Link

It’s certainly NO Mini, but I think it looks pretty cool and I welcome any new small-and-fun car to the market.

David Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I first saw this on Inside Line today and immediately thought “MINI fighter”. Of course, with the extra spec info from MPH, I see that it’s just WAY too heavy. A car that size shouldn’t ever break the 3K lb mark. 2900 lbs or so would bring it in line w/ last-gen Si, Mazda 3 HB, etc.

I do like the looks and it seems as if most MotoringFile readers are in general agreement that it’s a nice concept (Sorry AJ). I do hope the seats become more sporty in production trim and it goes on a diet, but overall I like it.

Nathaniel Salzman Feb 15th, 2006 Link

“We wanted the Hornet to be dynamic, nimble, fun to drive, and have an adaptable space-efficient interior.”

“Oh yeah, and we wanted it to be ugly.” - Mission accomplished.

3100 lbs. Well done. It’s a Golf.

This is one of those rare times on MotoringFile where all the cries of “Holy crap that is awful looking!” are completely warranted. But I imagine that it’ll get more tame and more attractive when it sees production.

However, I’ll also chime in with my congrats to Chrysler in general for taking a proactive step towards an actual market segment they can sell some cars in. I want to love American cars. I really do. Don’t really care for this one, but I do like Chrysler’s overall Gotham City-inspired styling lately. Not my style, granted, but they’ve managed to unify their look and be interesting (though the Durango was thoroughly flogged with the Ugly Stick when they updated it). I’m talking more about the 300C, the Magnum, the Charger, and of course the Crossfire. With GM and Ford on suicide watch, it’s nice to see that Chrysler is at least learning from their mistakes and trying to make better cars. Ford and GM are too caught up in their prissy slap fight over who’s the best selling brand.

“They like me better!”
“NO! They like ME better!”
“You make crappy cars!”
“You make crappy-ER cars!”
“You started it.”
“Did not!”
“Your cars are death traps!”
“Your cars depreciate on the assembly line!”
“Your cars are ugly!”
“Your mom is ugly!”

All with their heads turned and slapping wildly at each other’s hands.

The really good news in this article, I think, is the Tritec seeing the afterlife in a production car. That’ll mean a good continued availability for parts and if the car does come to the states, you could probably pick up engine parts at your local Dodge dealer - and probably without the higher BMW markup. If you’re outside of your warranty, you might be able to even get service - a big deal for folks far away from the nearest MINI dealer (closet one to me is 3-hours).

NS in NE

Leo Feb 15th, 2006 Link

It looks like a exact copy of the new european suzuki swift.

phydeaux Feb 15th, 2006 Link

OK, I know that I may be living under a rock here, but what is a “b-segment” or “c-segment” that the article refers to? I’ve not heart that term before.

For my take on the Hornet, it looks like a MINI viewed through Dodge glasses. A twisted part of me wants to take a photo of my MINI and attack it in Photoshop. See if I can make a Dodge grill fit. Nah…

Jim Feb 15th, 2006 Link

A Mini competitor called Hornet?

I’d rather have a Wolseley Hornet

Picture of a Wolseley Hornet

Mike F Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Is it just me or is Chrysler copying some styles from British auto makers? The Dodge Nitro……can anyone say smaller chunkier Range Rover? Dodge Hornett……..Fat Ass Mini Cooper! America already has a problem with obesity, that’s just what we need now are Large, HEAVY cars for Large, Heavy Americans. NO OFFENSE TO ANY ONE STRUGGLING WITH WEIGHT PROBLEMS!
Kudos to Chrysler for knowing what the people like and trying to accomidate their needs. DIE SUVS, DIE!!!

Charlie Feb 15th, 2006 Link

UCK!!!!!!!!!

Vanwall Feb 15th, 2006 Link

The only real competition to a MINI I ever really ran across was the early ’90s Suzuki Twin-cam Sprint, lightly warmed over, and that’s ’cause it was LIGHT. I think this Hornet POS is fugly - they didn’t just hit with the ugly stick, they used the whole Sherwood Forest - it looks like a squashed SUV that is approaching Ami 6 vicinity, and I don’t care how much you add or subtract to make it go better, you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

            BCNU,
          Rob in Dago

Bill Lawrence Feb 15th, 2006 Link

It’s one of the better recent attempts by an American car company at a small car. The thing to remember is that BMW was in a good place to market a “compact-premium” car when it introduced the MINI in the US. Before the MINI, a car this small in the $18,000-$30,000 range was unheard of. It was also unheard of for a car in the US to be sold with the kind of options and engineering that we see in the MINI. BMW’s reputation helped in Americans to pay a lot more for a hatchback than they normally would.

The Dodge Hornet would probably have less features and engineering than the MINI, because Dodge can’t get away with selling $18,000-$30,000 hatchbacks. Hell, after all the rebates, Dodge is having difficulty selling Durangos, Magnums, Rams and even Chargers in the 18,000-30,000 price range. For a hatchback, Dodge would have to sell it for $10,000 to $18,000 and there is no way they could sell a car that cheap, with all the the features of a MINI, even with the same engine.

O(=^=)O Capn Feb 15th, 2006 Link

The really good news in this article, I think, is the Tritec seeing the afterlife in a production car. That’ll mean a good continued availability for parts and if the car does come to the states, you could probably pick up engine parts at your local Dodge dealer - and probably without the higher BMW markup. If you’re outside of your warranty, you might be able to even get service - a big deal for folks far away from the nearest MINI dealer (closet one to me is 3-hours).

Wow that is a very half full glass indeed! Way cheaper parts/service are always welcome!

Mike Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Looks like a copy of a Suzuki Swift

Enrique Feb 15th, 2006 Link

It comes with a “Hey Horn” too

Jack07734 Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Sounds like a new market for Randy.

Cheers,
Jack

miniyup Feb 15th, 2006 Link

Definitely looks like the offspring of a MINI/Scion crossbreed.

Hard to imagine the seats will hold anyone while cornering. Little or no side bolstering and not sure how they could add much of it and maintain the “fold flat” feature.

CeridianMN Feb 15th, 2006 Link

I finally was able to get through the links and read the rest of the comments and I must say, I like the car with one exception, the side skirts. Those are pretty bad to me, but they can be worked on. Heck, they could even grow on me. Oh, and the front. I haven’t been a huge fan of the front of the dodges since I saw a RAM in the early to mid 90’s with the raised hood and accentuated window pane grill thing going on - but that’s easily changed later…

I would test drive this car. I like the space aspects it has because I love my MINI but am going to have to face the “I want a bigger family vehicle” fight at some point (I already promised we could get a minivan if that’s what she wants, I’m hopeing the traveller can change all that…).

M. Dillon Feb 16th, 2006 Link

“…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…”

Eelke Feb 16th, 2006 Link

A Mini competitor called Hornet?

I’d rather have a Wolseley Hornet

I wondered whether I was the first to notice :) The Wolseley Hornet was a luxury version of the original Mini (with a boot slammed to the back). So I wonder whether the naming of this Dodge is coincidence, or a hidden reference to the Mini.

CW Feb 16th, 2006 Link

I rather liked the look of the car until I saw the weight figures (and reminded myself of the lacklustre dealer network that would sell and service it).

GMINI Feb 16th, 2006 Link

has someone mentioned the element? Seats fold down flat - it’s another Minivan for Dodge.

A RAZR you can put your butt into.

motoroto Feb 16th, 2006 Link

Hey I kinda like this thing. This car actually looks like what an SRT-4 version would resemble.

Press photos and some interesting writeups at http://www.dodge-hornet.com

Rocketboy Feb 16th, 2006 Link

_”The idea is that the car would be available in a limited number of colors,” _

Wow, that sounds just like something I’d want!

Japan called, they want their rectangular off-set air intake back.

And man, just think way back when, I got blasted for this article…

Erik…
(Although I did just notice that Gabe spelled my name wrong…)

Gabe Feb 16th, 2006 Link

When/where did I spell your name wrong?

speedM Feb 16th, 2006 Link

how do they get an est. 0-60 in 6.7 with that power to weight ratio?! its faster than a MCS with 3100lbs? don’t get it.

minimc Feb 16th, 2006 Link

I’m no fan of the looks, but I give it a big thumbs up for using the Tritec! Anyone with an ‘06 MCS should be VERY happy about this. Should mean better availability & cheaper parts. …More tuning options????

But will enthusiast types embrace the Hornet? Its kinda ugly… but it’s cheap. As we know, the engine is next to bomb-proof & already has all sorts of aftermarket tuning work put into it. Upping the output should be a slam-dunk (by then). The hornet also looks as though engine bay space won’t be such a problem (FMIC etc.)

If the Hornet does catch on I bet it’ll make a few MINI tuners smile. I don’t envision Webb doing Hornet pulley parties though ;>)

Jack07734 Feb 17th, 2006 Link

A Mini competitor called Hornet?

I’d rather have a Wolseley Hornet

I do. Meet Edna my 1964 Wloseley Hornet MkII.

Cheers,
Jack

Rocketboy Feb 17th, 2006 Link

Gave.. you spelled EriK with a ‘c’… common error, just poking fun if anything…

Rocketboy Feb 17th, 2006 Link

Errr… Not Gave, Gabe…. (darned split keyboard..(

Erik…

LTL M CPE Feb 18th, 2006 Link

I saw this in Autoweek earlier in the week and was intrigued. Dodge is the the American manufacturer that is trying new ideas and putting some excitment into their products. I’m surprised it’s so heavy, and it is very MINI like, but kudos to them for doing it.
Just think what an SRT version would be like!

Jim

02 DS/W MCS
99 M coupe

Big AL Feb 20th, 2006 Link

not a big dodge fan but but they are getting a little better with their concepts. look at the charger. what a mistake. they now have the challenger. what at hit. look at GM with the the camaro. what were they thinking. remember the cheap colt/mits. turbo of the 80s. not pretty but still fun. with gas prices going up another cheap econo box with a little power would be nice. the Ax and Bx are ugly and slow. this dodge thing may be ugly but fairly quick and bullet proof.

Jon Apr 10th, 2008 Link

This car is Chinese. It will be dirt cheap and fun to drive. I think it will sell well. I love mini’s but the price of a new mini is hard to justify. This thing also offers the four doors and thin seat backs to maximize interior space. Mini owners already know that the 1.6 sc is no joke. I think this will sell out fast as it is going to be low volume product. I guess putting a dodge name on something is a good way to sneek in a chinese car.