Jonathan Gitlin
ASHEVILLE, N.C.—A day after Dodge revealed the final of its Hemi V8-powered muscle automobiles, the corporate additionally lifted the embargo on driving impressions for its subsequent automotive, the Hornet crossover. It’s a far cry from the 1,025-hp Challenger—a way more smart compact crossover that features a plug-in hybrid model beginning at a aggressive $40,000. Ars spent a day driving the Hornet across the outskirts of Asheville and located so much to love about this good-looking crossover.
But first, a couple of phrases on its origin story.
Last February, the world received its first have a look at a beautiful new crossover from Alfa Romeo. It was given the unlucky identify of Tonale, and quite a lot of of us raised an eyebrow because of the information that the automotive would come with an NFT that acted as a everlasting report for the automotive, from manufacturing by means of lifetime upkeep.
Jonathan Gitlin
The Tonale was meant to reach within the US by the top of March, however it was delayed till May. The motive I carry this up is that so far as sheet metallic is worried, you needn’t anticipate the Alfa to achieve showrooms to drive it. That’s as a result of the Hornet is an instance of the apply often called badge engineering.
Dodge wanted one thing smaller and extra fuel-efficient to counteract all these V8s it pushes, and the little Alfa match the invoice. It’s a apply the auto business has turned to repeatedly; the Saab 9-2x, Fiat 124 Spyder, Buick Regal, and even Audi e-tron GT are all examples. In this case, as a result of budgets have been tight, the Hornet wears a Dodge entrance grille and the badging all says Dodge, however every part is in any other case mechanically an identical to the Tonale, as is the bodywork.
The Hornet GT is the bottom mannequin, which needs to be out there inside the subsequent few weeks. It begins at $29,995 and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 L inline four-cylinder engine that outputs 268 hp (200 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), sending that to all 4 wheels by way of a nine-speed automated transmission. Alfa Romeo shouldn’t have an excessive amount of of a headache with the Hornet GT because the firm will not be importing its model utilizing this powertrain to the US.
Dodge
Although I drove the Hornet GT briefly, I spent most of my time within the Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid. Set to reach as a mannequin yr 2024 car on the finish of spring, the R/T will begin at slightly below $40,000, undercutting the Alfa by a couple of thousand {dollars} within the course of. And no, there is not any related NFT for the Dodge.
That has reportedly harm emotions at Alfa Romeo, however sufficient about intra-Stellantis company politics. Under the Hornet R/T’s hood—and sure, these air vents are useful—you will discover a turbocharged 1.3 L four-cylinder engine that drives the entrance wheels by way of a six-speed automated transmission. This generates a most of 180 hp (134 kW) and 199 lb-ft (270 Nm), and the 44-hp (33 kW) starter motor may ship its energy to the entrance wheels when needed.