Dodge may be best known for its performance on the dragstrip, but with its Hornet compact crossover the American muscle brand is expanding to the world of rallycross, specifically in Nitrocross’ Group E class.
Dodge will compete with the Hornet R/T FC1-X, which somewhat resembles the Hornet on the outside but is based on the FC1-X chassis common to all of the teams competing in the Nitrocross Group E class.
Group E is the electric class of North America’s Nitrocross rallycross series created by rally driver and Gymkhana star Travis Pastrana. The electric class has been running since 2022, and starting with the 2024-2025 season, Dodge will be present in a partnership with existing team Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DDR).
The team will field four cars, to be piloted by Andres Bakkerud, Lia Block, Robin Larsson, and Fraser McConnell.
Lia Block in the DDR Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X rallycross car – Photo via Lia Block
All FC1-X-based cars feature four axial flux electric motors—one driving each wheel—that generate a combined output of 1,072 hp. This enables the cars to sprint to 60 mph from rest in 1.4 seconds, imparting drivers with up to 2 g during the acceleration.
The Hornet R/T FC1-X’s first season will have 10 events at five locations, starting at Virginia’s Richmond Raceway on Sept. 7.
The road-going Hornet is a completely different beast. Buyers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 268 hp or a plug-in hybrid setup that combines a 1.3-liter turbo-4 with batteries and motors that deliver 288 hp.
