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Digital facelift imagines a Charger-like look for the Hornet
The Dodge Hornet has reached its three-year mark, and with that milestone comes the perennial question among enthusiasts: when will its mid-cycle refresh arrive? While official prototypes wrapped in camouflage have yet to surface, digital design studio Digimods Design recently published a set of renderings that speculate how a 2027 Dodge Hornet facelift could look if Dodge borrowed styling cues from the latest Charger Daytona.
These Charger-inspired digital illustrations give the compact crossover a more aggressive stance. The front fascia picks up a broad light bar and reshaped grille that echo Dodge's muscle car language, while the rear adopts slimmer taillights, a revised bumper and updated tailpipe trim. The concept Hornet in the renderings wears a striking yellow finish with black accents and larger wheels, reinforcing a sportier personality.
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What the render shows
- Charger-style full-width light bar across the front
- Redesigned grille and sculpted bumper elements
- Modernized rear lights and a cleaner tailgate profile
- New wheel designs, darker trim and privacy glass
Whether Stellantis will steer the production Hornet toward this look remains unknown. Still, the render captures a plausible direction for a mid-cycle refresh that fuses Dodge performance cues with the Hornet's compact crossover proportions.
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Market context: production pause and pricing recap
In reality, the Hornet's future faces more immediate challenges than styling debates. Stellantis suspended Hornet production indefinitely following complications tied to U.S. tariffs. The crossover is built in Italy at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant, the same facility that assembles the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet's technical cousin.
As listed on Dodge's US site, the Hornet remained marketed as a 2024 model in several trim levels before production was halted:
- GT: starting MSRP around $31,400
- GT Plus: starting MSRP around $36,695
- R/T: starting MSRP around $41,400
- R/T Plus: starting MSRP around $47,745
Prices excluded destination and handling, dealer fees and optional equipment.
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Performance and drivetrain
Dodge offered two main powertrain families across the Hornet range. The GT and GT Plus used a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing approximately 268 hp, paired with a 9-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The R/T and R/T Plus leaned into electrified performance: a hybridized 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing roughly 288 hp, routed through a six-speed automatic to the AWD system.
These powertrain choices positioned the Hornet as a sporty compact crossover with options for both traditional turbo performance and hybrid efficiency-backed output.
Will a Charger-inspired facelift reach production?
For now, the Dodge Hornet's immediate prospects hinge on trade-policy resolution and Stellantis' manufacturing plans. If production restarts, a mid-cycle refresh that introduces sharper Dodge family styling elements could help the Hornet carve out a stronger identity within the competitive compact crossover segment.
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Quote: 'Digital renderings like these often preview the mood of future updates even when timelines are uncertain.'
Whether you prefer the subtler Alfa-derived look or a brawnier Dodge aesthetic, the idea of a Charger-influenced Hornet gives us a glimpse of how brand DNA can be translated across vehicle types. Until Stellantis confirms plans, fans will have to settle for renders and speculation.
Source: autoevolution
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