2006 Dodge Hornet Concept Set to create a Buzz
Rallye-ready and willing to go, the new Dodge Hornet concept vehicle is designed to carry the B-segment market a unique blending of European sensibility regarding engine size and overall footprint with an American-style aggressive and flexible interior space.
"We wanted the Hornet to be dynamic, nimble, fun to drive and have an adaptable space-efficient interior," said Mark Moushegian, principal exterior designer. "At the same time, aims to create a vehicle with an American character to expand the image and presence of the Dodge brand in Europe and international markets, especially in the entry-level market."
"We went to a rally-inspired look - robust, capable, and definitely not" cutesy ". We wanted an "edge" to the design. In particular, wanted to push the envelope of interior volume. That's why the Hornet is almost as wide as a C-segment vehicle, "Moushegian continued. Accordingly, the bulk of the Hornet, wheeled around the corner silhouette imparts the fun of assertive power, even the most mundane of errands.
With its wide stance, the Hornet is firmly planted on the road. In advance, the signature Dodge crossbar set above the grill is an exposed front engine intercooler flanked by air ducts and fog lamps. Raised on the plateau of the bell provides a recessed scoop on the driver's side to funnel air to the engine air box. Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged I / C to shut down four cylinders 127 kW (170 hp) / 224 N • m (165 lb.-ft.) of torque @ 4000 rpm.
The muscular side view is dominated by large 19-inch diameter open section aluminum wheels designed to show the "mechanics", including gold brake calipers. The wheel flares and notched tonnage threshold curves are complemented by the body to "spearhead" in the full front and rear opposed half-doors which, in section, are quite superficial, to maximize interior space . The framework open to reveal the absence of a B-pillar, while the three sides of glass windows and ending with a dynamic wedge-shaped quarter window.
Inspired by the look of fashion sunglasses, all the windows of the vehicle including the roof oversize, has remained in a deep "Blue View" tint which contrasts vividly with the car's Liquid Silver exterior.
"The idea is that the car will be available in a limited number of colors," said Moushegian. "The customer selects the contrasting glass color of his choice as an accent." Inspired by the legendary Dodge Viper, dual "skunk stripes" in Beryllium Gray boldly traverse in the hood, roof, overlooking rear defuser wing and the liftgate, including the "sky view" sun roof which offers a panoramic outlook for front and rear passengers.
Set in matte metallic gray levels bezels and grouped under clear covers, all exterior lamps share a "mechanical" style vocabulary that presents the most prominent circular "triple orange slice" front and rear turn signals. Similar repeater lamps are set in their side mirrors which also incorporate auxiliary lights rally. The circular theme is reprises of three-inch diameter dual exhaust tips propelled through the rear chin spoiler.
"Like the exterior, the interior is geared around young rally enthusiasts," said John Sodano, principal interior designer. "Our intention is to maximize the interior volume by pushing all interior surfaces of the perimeter of the vehicle as much as possible. I studied images of space capsule interiors, since they are designed for high performance in a limited space. I wanted the Hornet inside to have a functional engineered 'look, but with pleasing surfaces and materials. "
Extreme flexibility also is central to the sporty interior. The space-saving foam seats are exceptionally slim but comfortable, with the striking satin-silver finished aluminum framing deliberately exposed. SEAT reinforces are covered in a smooth, black urethane-coated, while a black cloth, woven textured Pique cloth is fine in the cushion and back inserts. Belts into the seats.
Handsome as they are, the seats' real beauty lies in its adaptability. Both the passenger front seat and three 40-60 passenger bucket rear seats forward and the collapse of the floor to provide a flat cargo bed. To facilitate this, the forward head to store and sometimes between the seat cushion. The cabin floor is covered with an attractive and durable honeycomb-texture rubber.
In addition, the rear seats also flip rearward to store in the back at the platform drawbridge. This position provides for the highest possible vertical storage behind the front seats. When upright, the rear seats track rearwards to provide an legroom of 225 mm for rear-seat passengers. Accessible to passengers regardless of the pre-longitudinal seat, long bars are mounted high on each rear quarter and also serve as clothes hangar racks.
The crisp black and slate gray interior is designed for both style and utility, with surfaces that have a discipline, space-saving flat look. The driver's door trim panel, for example, contains a first aid kit, open storage box, and a closed case with carrying handle that can be removed from the car. The passenger has two doors open and closed boxes and open a box with bungee cords to retain stowed items. All boxes are removable and can be easily rearranged to suit the needs of each client. In addition, the designers provide the Hornet as a vehicle that can be easily customized through the purchase of additional exterior and interior parts and accessories, allowing owners to customize their cars to express the needs and desires.
Both front doors also have a hinged storage pocket just above the remote handle. The driver's side rear door contains a handy beverage cooler while the front door with a folding table in the module. On all doors, cloth-covered armrests with integral pull cups are underlined by narrow satin silver moldings while side air bags are concealed in the Pique cloth reinforced.
Designed to accommodate both left and right-hand drive, the modular instrument panel features two horizontal Pique cloth wrapover pads divided by a satin silver center stack topped by a fixed navigation screen with non-glare glass. The pads front surface open storage trays directly ahead of the driver and front seat passenger, with storage for small items in boxes divided below. The center stack also houses the large, easy to use entertainment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning control whose circular elements mimic the exterior lamp detailing, "because," explains Sodano, "we have tried to create a common style architecture for exterior and interior. " Ten spherical speakers in varying sizes are supplied in the cabin, two in each front door and three on each panel.
The circle of three, six-gauge delta-shaped instrument binnacle with hood moves with the steering column while the steering wheel itself features a textured, molded rubber rim and three "tuning fork" spokes that echo the exterior of the wheels. An independent cantilevered center armrest "floats" on the front floor console, turn downward to permit unfettered access to the manual six-speed changes during aggressive driving.
Hard, brash and eager to be off, the Dodge Hornet concept vehicle brings to the competitive entry-level B-segment market an ideal combination of American fun and European function.
Rallye-ready and willing to go, the new Dodge Hornet concept vehicle is designed to carry the B-segment market a unique blending of European sensibility regarding engine size and overall footprint with an American-style aggressive and flexible interior space.
"We wanted the Hornet to be dynamic, nimble, fun to drive and have an adaptable space-efficient interior," said Mark Moushegian, principal exterior designer. "At the same time, aims to create a vehicle with an American character to expand the image and presence of the Dodge brand in Europe and international markets, especially in the entry-level market."
"We went to a rally-inspired look - robust, capable, and definitely not" cutesy ". We wanted an "edge" to the design. In particular, wanted to push the envelope of interior volume. That's why the Hornet is almost as wide as a C-segment vehicle, "Moushegian continued. Accordingly, the bulk of the Hornet, wheeled around the corner silhouette imparts the fun of assertive power, even the most mundane of errands.
With its wide stance, the Hornet is firmly planted on the road. In advance, the signature Dodge crossbar set above the grill is an exposed front engine intercooler flanked by air ducts and fog lamps. Raised on the plateau of the bell provides a recessed scoop on the driver's side to funnel air to the engine air box. Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged I / C to shut down four cylinders 127 kW (170 hp) / 224 N • m (165 lb.-ft.) of torque @ 4000 rpm.
The muscular side view is dominated by large 19-inch diameter open section aluminum wheels designed to show the "mechanics", including gold brake calipers. The wheel flares and notched tonnage threshold curves are complemented by the body to "spearhead" in the full front and rear opposed half-doors which, in section, are quite superficial, to maximize interior space . The framework open to reveal the absence of a B-pillar, while the three sides of glass windows and ending with a dynamic wedge-shaped quarter window.
Inspired by the look of fashion sunglasses, all the windows of the vehicle including the roof oversize, has remained in a deep "Blue View" tint which contrasts vividly with the car's Liquid Silver exterior.
"The idea is that the car will be available in a limited number of colors," said Moushegian. "The customer selects the contrasting glass color of his choice as an accent." Inspired by the legendary Dodge Viper, dual "skunk stripes" in Beryllium Gray boldly traverse in the hood, roof, overlooking rear defuser wing and the liftgate, including the "sky view" sun roof which offers a panoramic outlook for front and rear passengers.
Set in matte metallic gray levels bezels and grouped under clear covers, all exterior lamps share a "mechanical" style vocabulary that presents the most prominent circular "triple orange slice" front and rear turn signals. Similar repeater lamps are set in their side mirrors which also incorporate auxiliary lights rally. The circular theme is reprises of three-inch diameter dual exhaust tips propelled through the rear chin spoiler.
"Like the exterior, the interior is geared around young rally enthusiasts," said John Sodano, principal interior designer. "Our intention is to maximize the interior volume by pushing all interior surfaces of the perimeter of the vehicle as much as possible. I studied images of space capsule interiors, since they are designed for high performance in a limited space. I wanted the Hornet inside to have a functional engineered 'look, but with pleasing surfaces and materials. "
Extreme flexibility also is central to the sporty interior. The space-saving foam seats are exceptionally slim but comfortable, with the striking satin-silver finished aluminum framing deliberately exposed. SEAT reinforces are covered in a smooth, black urethane-coated, while a black cloth, woven textured Pique cloth is fine in the cushion and back inserts. Belts into the seats.
Handsome as they are, the seats' real beauty lies in its adaptability. Both the passenger front seat and three 40-60 passenger bucket rear seats forward and the collapse of the floor to provide a flat cargo bed. To facilitate this, the forward head to store and sometimes between the seat cushion. The cabin floor is covered with an attractive and durable honeycomb-texture rubber.
In addition, the rear seats also flip rearward to store in the back at the platform drawbridge. This position provides for the highest possible vertical storage behind the front seats. When upright, the rear seats track rearwards to provide an legroom of 225 mm for rear-seat passengers. Accessible to passengers regardless of the pre-longitudinal seat, long bars are mounted high on each rear quarter and also serve as clothes hangar racks.
The crisp black and slate gray interior is designed for both style and utility, with surfaces that have a discipline, space-saving flat look. The driver's door trim panel, for example, contains a first aid kit, open storage box, and a closed case with carrying handle that can be removed from the car. The passenger has two doors open and closed boxes and open a box with bungee cords to retain stowed items. All boxes are removable and can be easily rearranged to suit the needs of each client. In addition, the designers provide the Hornet as a vehicle that can be easily customized through the purchase of additional exterior and interior parts and accessories, allowing owners to customize their cars to express the needs and desires.
Both front doors also have a hinged storage pocket just above the remote handle. The driver's side rear door contains a handy beverage cooler while the front door with a folding table in the module. On all doors, cloth-covered armrests with integral pull cups are underlined by narrow satin silver moldings while side air bags are concealed in the Pique cloth reinforced.
Designed to accommodate both left and right-hand drive, the modular instrument panel features two horizontal Pique cloth wrapover pads divided by a satin silver center stack topped by a fixed navigation screen with non-glare glass. The pads front surface open storage trays directly ahead of the driver and front seat passenger, with storage for small items in boxes divided below. The center stack also houses the large, easy to use entertainment and heating, ventilation and air conditioning control whose circular elements mimic the exterior lamp detailing, "because," explains Sodano, "we have tried to create a common style architecture for exterior and interior. " Ten spherical speakers in varying sizes are supplied in the cabin, two in each front door and three on each panel.
The circle of three, six-gauge delta-shaped instrument binnacle with hood moves with the steering column while the steering wheel itself features a textured, molded rubber rim and three "tuning fork" spokes that echo the exterior of the wheels. An independent cantilevered center armrest "floats" on the front floor console, turn downward to permit unfettered access to the manual six-speed changes during aggressive driving.
Hard, brash and eager to be off, the Dodge Hornet concept vehicle brings to the competitive entry-level B-segment market an ideal combination of American fun and European function.