It has been only a day since Dodge revealed the Hornet, a compact crossover cloned from the Alfa Romeo Tonale, but the company has already reported taking 14,000 pre-orders. Apparently, the powerful sub-$30k SUV makes for an attractive proposal on the U.S. market.
The base-spec Hornet GT is slated to arrive at dealerships nationwide before the end of the year. This version uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to drive the wheels with 265 PS (261 hp / 195 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft). A higher spec will arrive later on. Called the Hornet R/T, it is a plug-in hybrid that combines a 1.3-liter IC engine with an electric motor for 285 PS (281 hp / 210 kW) and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) total.
Attracting 14,000 buyers within 24 hours is a no small feat, however, many blamed Dodge for not doing enough to distance the Hornet from its Italian cousin.