Dodge Hornet: an Alitalia rebranded as the first PHEV model

The Hornet marks the beginning of a new era for Dodge, which plans to multiply electrified models in the coming years.

Dodge has not yet begun its shift toward electrification. But now that the manufacturer is part of the Stellantis galaxy, it will be able to benefit from sister brands’ technologies to catch up.

And it starts with the Hornet, a compact SUV just introduced. Derived from the Alfa Romeo Tonale, this vehicle will be offered in a plug-in hybrid version. The American brand proudly claims that it opens the era of sporty Dodges with electrified powertrains.

An Italian-accented Dodge

The kinship between the Hornet and the Tonale is not just technical. It is also aesthetic, with both cars being nearly identical. Same silhouette, almost identical rear, very similar dashboards: the new plug-in hybrid Dodge is therefore more of a rebadged Alfa Romeo than a completely new model, albeit with some front-end modifications to hide the trick. Both vehicles will be produced in the same Stellantis Giambattista Vico factory in Italy.

The plug-in hybrid Hornet, officially named Hornet R/T, features a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. This engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, is assisted by a 90 kW electric motor on the rear axle. The combined setup provides all-wheel drive and delivers a total of 285 hp, 13 hp more than the hybrid Tonale with the same powertrain.

Like its transalpine cousin, the Hornet R/T has a 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, theoretically enabling around 50 km of electric range. It includes a 7.4 kW onboard charger that can fully recharge the battery in 2.5 hours.

The Hornet will also be available with a non-hybrid 265 hp petrol engine, serving as the entry-level model. Priced under $30,000 in its basic configuration, it will arrive in showrooms at the end of the year. The plug-in hybrid version, however, will be launched in spring 2023.

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