Hence, it is safe to claim that the brand is now a mere shadow of its former self. However, it was not always like this, as Dodge used to have a wide range of models in its portfolio. In addition to the powerful models from its past, it also had numerous sleek models, and one of them, the Neon, is now overlooked and underappreciated.
The Neon, which was also sold under the Chrysler and Plymouth brands, was introduced in the 1990s and was followed by a second generation. It was discontinued in the mid-2000s but made a comeback about ten years later as a rebadged Fiat Tipo for the Mexican and Middle Eastern markets.
Considering that traditional compact cars and other body styles are no longer in high demand, it is unlikely that the Dodge Neon will make a comeback in its current form. However, Stellantis, the parent company of the brand, has the capability to rebrand a compact vehicle sold in another market and introduce it as a brand-new Neon in North America. This virtual transformation has been demonstrated by Nihar Mazumdar.
The design of this CGI-enhanced 2025 Dodge Neon may look familiar to you. That is because it is based on the third-generation Peugeot 308, a compact hatchback that has been on the market for nearly two and a half years. It shares the EMP2 modular platform with the Opel Astra, DS 4, and Citroen C5 X, and it offers various powertrain options, including traditional internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric models with the ‘e’ prefix.
Compared to its French counterpart, this hypothetical revival of the Neon features a simpler front end that gives it a more distinct Dodge appearance rather than being a mere rebadged 308. It has a smaller grille, a light bar that spans the entire width of the front, a different daytime running light signature, and a similar lower bumper. The sides have undergone minimal changes, and at the rear, it retains the same bumper and diffuser with a few tweaks, along with a new lighting signature and a modified tailgate.
The digital artist has named it the SRT-4 and has given it a plug-in hybrid powertrain, as evident from the charging port and fuel filler cap located on the left and right rear quarter panels. The car’s virtual makeover is completed with a yellow finish, black accents, the Neon logo on the tailgate, and dark-colored wheels. While we may not necessarily endorse such a model, if Dodge were to receive approval for it, would you consider purchasing it instead of a similarly-sized and priced crossover?
According to the Source autoevolution.com