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The Eighties weren’t the brightest days for the American auto, however again then, three little letters gave automobile fanatics hope: GLH. This abbreviation of “Goes Like Hell” signified a particular trim of the standard Dodge Omni hatchback. Now, after a 36-year absence, the identify has returned to the 2023 Dodge Hornet.
Omni GLHs, delivered from financial system automobile purgatory by none aside from Carrol Shelby, have been performance-oriented variations of the common automobile that includes stiffened suspension and turbocharged engines. These adjustments introduced the hatchback’s efficiency to ranges effectively above what customers have been used to in an American financial system automobile, and in brief order, a price legend was born. The gloom across the Omni—and financial system automobiles usually—was lifted simply sufficient for horsepower lovers’ frowns to twist into grins.
This time round, the common automobile is lots peppier. The Hornet GLH is an upgraded model of the bottom mannequin GT trim, which already rocks a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 268 horsepower. The GLH model guarantees to extend this output, in addition to make a number of different adjustments to show the Hornet from an everyday, performance-adjacent crossover into one thing extra particular.
The 800-pound gorilla within the room is how far more energy shall be supplied. Dodge has but to point out its hand there. The automaker claims the Hornet GLH can have a better power-to-weight ratio than the unique Omni GLH, however that is not saying a lot. Making use of the 146-hp Omni’s power-to-weight ratio to the Hornet nets a complete output of 271 hp. Dodge says it is going to be above this, clearly, however 272-hp would not persuade many nonbelievers.
What provides us slightly perception is the truth that the Hornet GLH—in addition to the Hornet GT and R/T—shall be accessible with efficiency stage kits from Dodge’s Direct Connection catalog. A number of levels might suggest a number of energy ranges, so until the automaker plans to launch upgrades via fractional horsepower, one thing within the realm of 300 ponies appears affordable.
Energy adders will not be the one kits accessible by way of Direct Connection. The automaker has given particulars of a suspension improve, which can decrease the automobile by greater than an inch. This shall be customary on the GLH and accessible for different Hornets. Likewise, the GLH will already function different adjustments like unique 20-inch wheels, an unrestricted dual-tip exhaust, and altered aesthetics versus the GT and R/T, primarily with blacked-out trim, a revised rear fascia, and a few related decals.
The purpose of all of those components is to take the Hornet, which is predicated closely on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, into efficiency automobile territory—or, maybe extra appropriately, scorching hatchback territory. Sprints to 60 mph might sink down into the five-second vary, and with stiffer, decrease suspension, it is seemingly the GLH will deal with higher than its appears to be like may recommend.
Pricing for the GLH and high-performance R/T trim of the Hornet has but to be introduced. Dodge says the bottom GT mannequin will begin beneath $30,000.