A striking prototype of the 2023 Dodge Hornet has been spied testing in Turin, Italy completely free from camouflage, letting us get a feel of what it looks like on the road.
Dodge took off the covers to its Alfa Romeo Tonale-based crossover in August to much fanfare. Sure, it may be a Tonale with a slightly different bodywork but buyers don’t seem to care, so much so that Dodge received more than 14,000 pre-orders for it in the first 24 hours after its unveiling.
Read: 2023 Dodge Hornet Lands With Italian Looks, 285HP Electrified R/T And $29,995 Starting Price
This particular Hornet prototype is finished in the same shade of Acapulco Gold that we saw in person at the crossover’s launch. While we think it’s probably a little too flashy for most buyers, it certainly makes the Hornet stand out. Contrasting the gold paint are a host of black elements, including the front lip, rocker panels, wheel arches, rear diffuser, and both the side and rear window surrounds.
Dodge will offer two variants of the Hornet. Sitting at the base of the range is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 268 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. This engine works alongside a nine-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels and can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.5 seconds.
Those seeking a little more performance can order the Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid, which sports a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder working alongside an electric motor at the rear axle with 121 hp. All combined, it pumps out in excess of 285 hp and 383 lb-ft (519 Nm) and is fitted exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Hornet R/T can be driven up to 30 miles (48 km) on electric power alone thanks to the 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
