Dodge Hornet

Remember the time when Dodge made the Caliber and the Nitro? They were rehashes of the Jeep Compass and Patriot that ended up on the wrong turn at Albuquerque. With them behind the rearview mirror several years ago, it looks like Dodge is getting a second shot at making a compact crossover, this time with Alfa Romeo's help again.

2023 Dodge Hornet

2023 Dodge Hornet interior

Starting at 31,590 US Dollars plus additional costs, the first-ever Dodge Hornet crossover is an Alfa Romeo Tonale that does things that the Tonale can't. Although built in the same factory in Italy, the Hornet's got more character, power, and beef than the Tonale it was based on because this crossover wants to do Dodge things rather than Alfa Romeo things, akin to the Giulietta-based Dart.

Beginning with the design, the Hornet's silhouette is reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo Tonale it was based on as well as the sides but when you check its front and rear, you will notice that they are inspired by the Dodge Charger. The same goes for the interior as well because it has the same driver-focused minimalist approach as the Tonale until you check the vents and the dashboard to prove its point.

At launch, the Dodge Hornet is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 265hp of power while mated to a 9-speed AT. With the AWD system in play, the GT model is capable of going from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds, more than enough to kiss the Alfa Romeo Tonale goodbye on the road and track. Later on, Dodge will offer the R/T model with the Dodge-first PHEV powertrain that bolts the turbocharged 1.3L engine to an electric motor and a 6-speed AT. With the PowerShot fired, it unleashes 285hp of power, sprinting from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds. Now that's fast for a baby Dodge SUV.

Because of the power output that upsets the Tonale by a long shot, the Hornet feels somewhat addictive to drive with the AWD system armed. Although it feels bulky to drive compared to the Tonale, it still behaves like it in an exciting way and you can really spend lots of time getting to know the Tonale that was dubbed in American English.

In terms of safety, the Hornet, like the Tonale, is classified as Level 2 autonomy thanks to its front camera, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Traffic Jam Assist systems. Combined with Blind Spot Detection, Emergency Braking, Attention Assist, and a 360-degree view monitor, among many others, it is all about getting concerned on the road, although speedo boys may end up running scared when autonomy kicks in.

The Dodge Hornet may be an Alfa Romeo Tonale that was Americanized straight to the core but because of the Dodge mantra, the Hornet is the faster, more powerful alternative to the Tonale. Although it doesn't have the credentials of Dodge's First Family, it's more than enough to become part of the Dodge family. Welcome to the family, son.

Photo: Dodge

Forza Horizon 4: Double Winter Treats

If you managed to get the Hudson Hornet and the DS3 Racing through the last minute of the winter season of Forza Horizon 4, then congratulations. You finally get to keep those two machines that made a comeback in the world of Forza since their XBOX 360 years. They maybe long forgotten but here you are, finally got yourselves some remnants of Forza's glorious pasts.



Beginning with the Hudson Hornet, this machine raked 40 out of 48 wins because of its straight-six Twin-H power engine, making it truly an innovator and race champion. It even has a role in Disney-Pixar's cars as Doc Hudson.



Next up is the DS3 Racing and looks like we have a case of wrong car blues here because while Forza Horizon 4 introduced DS Automobiles for the first time, they brought in the wrong car to the range and this is basically a Citroen DS3 Racing and it was emerged by the time it was called the Citroen DS3 before it was called the DS Automobiles DS3 years later. Never mind about that but anyway, the DS3 Racing is the special limited edition model made in honor of its involvement in the World Rally Championship. Its specially-developed 1.6L THP engine produces 207hp of power and 275Nm of torque. It was extensively tuned by Citroen Racing to deliver motorsports knowhow to this hot hatch.





Now that we get to know about these prize cars, let's take these two cars for a spin round Britain to see what it's like on the winter wonderland.



These cars worked perfectly as they are meant to be but since I'm in a middle of my Fortune Island journey...





Let's hit the "one more" button on these two cars and see if the Hornet and the DS3 Racing have the guts to take on the Fortune Island challenge. Bring it on.


Fortune Island may be unforgiving but these two cars gave it a good show to the whole world to see.

Enjoy driving your two new additions to your Horizon garage!

Gran Turismo 6: Mario Andretti's First Love

This is not just any other Hudson Hornet you know, this is the particular Hudson Hornet where racing legend Mario Andretti began his career. This is Mario Andretti's "first love", and with the help from the Gran Turismo community, the "First Love" of the legendary driver has been restored to its former glory and we now had the chance to try it out in Gran Turismo 6.



Back in 1957, when Andretti was just 17 years old, he, his twin brother Aldo, and his pals began building his first race car based on a 1948 Hudson Hornet. The reason why he picked the Hudson because of its legendary reputation of being...well, legendary in the world of NASCAR.

Just what is a Hudson Hornet? Simple really, this legendary machine raked 40 out of 48 wins because of its straight-six Twin-H power engine, making it truly an innovator and race champion. If you're under 12, then to you, this car is Doc Hudson from the Disney Pixar movie, Cars.

Anyway, back to the story. They got the parts, a new engine, and rebuilt the car from scratch and then, two years later, the #7 Hudson stock car was born and the Andretti brothers won their first two races.

This engine was bought from Whitney & Company, a company specializes in race-spec engines for Hudson stock cars and it was engineered with a single carbureted straight-six design. With the combination of this engine as well as its sleek aerodynamics of the Hudson stock car, it became the foreground to Mario Andretti's legendary career that blessed him several motorsports such as F1, Indycar, NASCAR, and the World Sportscar Championship. Because of his longevity and success, the Associated Press and RACER Magazine named him "Driver of the Century". Today, Mario Andretti's living at the age of 73.



Sony Computer Entertainment America started Gran Turismo 6's FIRST LOVE campaign where the producers and the help of the GT community restore Mario Andretti's 1948 Hudson stock car to its former glory. Oh yeah, if you want to relive the "First Love" story, go to http://playstation.gt6firstlove.com/ and look back at the story of Mario Andretti and the car that started it all.

From restoration, recreation, 3D scanning, sound recording, the producers spend most of the day doing their best to resurrect the legendary Hudson stock car to its former glory and a week after its complete restoration, Andretti and his "First Love", the car that started his career, have finally been reunited at last and as a reward for all the hard work we've done, his car is ours in GT6 via an update. We even had a chance to try out a Special Event where we can drive Mario Andretti's 1948 Hudson round the "Streets of Willow" segment of Willow Springs International Raceway. This legend served as a courtesy car and if whoever reaches the Bronze trophy target or better will be rewarded with Mario Andretti's 1948 Hudson as a prize.



It's been quite an honor to drive a legendary car which served as the maiden voyage for the living legend. Although it maybe a stock car, it's still the fabulous Hudson Hornet. It's first love never dies especially when petrolheads showing their love for cars and for this car, it feels like I'm rekindling to my past selves. When racers driving legendary vintage racers like this, their instincts are reconnecting to their predecessors and in theory, that makes them motivated to the road ahead. Sadly for me, my past isn't quite perfect for me so...I'm not really more of a man I am but ever since I spent the last 15 years playing the Gran Turismo series, here I am now, continuing the legacy in a new era. Wow, looks like the irony is not lost from me but still worth entertaining.



This 1948 Hudson stock car that Mario Andretti started his racing career back then really does asked us a question that we all have answers. As a petrolhead, what car served us as our "first love"? A car isn't just more than just a piece of transportation or racing machines. It's made for storing up memories no matter how good or bad memories are. Recollection, that's what that is and when you look around people asking about what's their first car they drove when they got their driver's license, the good times, the bad times, they'll always response in a touching kind of way.

Just remember, when you're busy taking the wheel of Andretti's Hudson in GT6, you are worth remembering about how "First Love" never dies in a true spirit of car enthusiasm.