DETROIT – The long-rumored Dodge Hornet is official. Tim Kuniskis, the Dodge brand CEO, confirmed the news during an online meeting Tuesday with wrestler Bill Goldberg and Preston Patterson, the new Dodge brand ambassador who now carries the title “Chief Donut Maker.”

As he navigated a reporter’s question about Dodge’s future electrification plans — the brand plans both plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles — Kuniskis offered what he noted moments later would qualify as a scoop.

“I think we’ve actually even said when we get back into the small compact space this summer when we launch the Hornet, we will have a PHEV or variant of that,” said Kuniskis, referencing the abbreviation for plug-in hybrid.

The Hornet is expected to share an architecture with the Alfa Romeo Tonale compact SUV, which debuted in February and is planned for launch in the United States early next year. The Tonale, which is being built in Italy, will feature a plug-in hybrid version and feature a lower price tag than other Alfa Romeo models.