More MINI Competition – The Dodge Hornet

Sections: In the Press Feb 15th, 2006 69 Comments

It looks like the MINI’s success has not gone unnoticed at the Chrysler Group. Chrysler’s Dodge division will debut the Dodge Hornet concept car in Geneva and early word is that it could see production in a few years. Featuring a similar layout and several styling cues not unfamiliar to MINI owners, the Hornet looks to be aimed squarely for the MINI market (among others). It also appears to make use of the Tritec 1.6L Supercharged engine found in the current generation MCS. Our friends over at MPH have the full scoop:

[ 2006 Geneva Motor Show: Dodge Hornet Concept ] MPH

Written By: Gabe

Enrique

It comes with a “Hey Horn” too
Jack07734

Sounds like a new market for Randy.

Cheers, Jack
miniyup

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

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…).
http://www.atlantaminis.net M. Dillon

“…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…”
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

A Mini competitor called Hornet? IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢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

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).
http://www.nemini.org GMINI

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

A RAZR you can put your butt into.
motoroto

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
http://minicooperclub.activeboard.com Rocketboy

_”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…)
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

When/where did I spell your name wrong?
speedM

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

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

A Mini competitor called Hornet? IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢d rather have a Wolseley Hornet

I do. Meet Edna my 1964 Wloseley Hornet MkII.

Cheers, Jack
http://minicooperclub.activeboard.com Rocketboy

Gave.. you spelled EriK with a ‘c’… common error, just poking fun if anything…
http://minicooperclub.activeboard.com Rocketboy

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

Erik…
LTL M CPE

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

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

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.

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