SPOTTED: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Track Pack AWD In Public.
Looks Great In Gray Cray Exterior Color...
Born to be a gateway into the “Brotherhood of Muscle”, the all-new 2023 Dodge Hornet was designed to disrupt the C-UV segment.
Starting at just under $30,000 in the U.S., the Hornet isn’t the cheapest C-UV on the market. Instead, the Hornet comes standard with a turbocharged Hurricane4 engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), and offers a Dodge attitude in one of the most popular segments in the automotive landscape today.
Thanks to the Hornet GT’s standard turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane4 inline-four-cylinder engine, the GT model produces at least 268 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (on premium unleaded fuel). The Hurricane4 engine is mated to a fast-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF. The combination allows the Hornet GT to sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph.
We happened to come across this Hornet GT in Metro Detroit earlier this week at one of our routine stops. This particular model is finished in the handsome Gray Cray exterior color and is fitted with the optional Track Pack performance package. The $2,995 Track Pack performance package adds 20-inch Abyss aluminum wheels, Red Brembo brake calipers with “Dodge//” logo, dual-mode suspension, Alcantara sport seats, and aluminum accents.
The Hornet GT rides on a Koni® frequency selective damping shocks improve handling and ride comfort. But thanks to the Track Pack, this Hornet gets the dual-stage-valve suspension, which provides the driver with selectable suspension damping which can be adjusted with the press of the “Sport” button located on the steering wheel.
Hornet GT models also get dynamic torque vectoring, which allows torque to be distrubed to each wheel with electronic precision. That “Sport” mode button also allows the Hornet GT to take advantage of its electronic limited slip differential, which can not only be a performance enhancement, but used for inclement weather too.
Despite what the critics say, the Hornet does take on the Dodge chartistics in both the performance and styling department. I just wish it would have had a different rear window/quarter window design to help seperate it more from the Tonale. I can say, it does look a lot better in person that it does in those press photos.
Production of the Hornet GT has begun at the Giambattista Vico Stellantis plant in Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy. Those who have placed early orders have already recieved notifications that their vehicles have been built.
The Hornet GT should prove to be a great addition to the Dodge portfolio. Especially since the demise of the mainstream people movers (Grand Caravan / Journey) that made up much of the brand’s overall sales.
2023 Dodge Hornet GT Track Pack in Gray Cray Image Gallery:
