Dodge is set to make a thunderous entrance into the 2024-2025 Nitrocross Series, unveiling four electric-powered Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X race cars that promise to redefine the boundaries of automotive electric vehicle (EV) performance. 

In detail, these all-wheel-drive (AWD) race EVs, each delivering over 1,000 horsepower, will compete in the Group E class, with the season opener scheduled for September 7 to 8 at Richmond Raceway in Virginia according to Stellantis. 

Powered by four axial flux motors, the Hornet R/T FC1-X generates an astonishing 1,070 horsepower (800 kW). Perhaps even more impressive is their acceleration: the Hornet R/T FC1-X can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 1.4 seconds, producing nearly 2g of acceleration from a standing start. This level of performance is enough to propel the race EVs across the 200-foot gap jumps that are a hallmark of Nitrocross courses.

Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO at Stellantis, expressed the strategic importance of this move stating, “Nearly 75% of Nitrocross race fans are between the ages of 18-34, making the series the perfect venue for Dodge to expand its motorsports presence and to showcase the Dodge Hornet to a youthful, enthusiastic new audience.”

The Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X race EVs will be fielded by the Nitrocross Group E championship-winning Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) team. The driver lineup features 17-year-old Lia Block in the flagship car. Block, the youngest American Rally Association champion, will be joined by two-time Group E series champion Robin Larsson, Fraser McConnell, and Andreas Bakkerud.

Nitrocross, introduced by motorsports star Travis Pastrana in 2020, has quickly become one of North America’s fastest-growing racing series. The 2024 to 2025 season will feature 10 events across five locations, including Utah Motorsports Campus, Firebird Motorsports Park near Phoenix, Miami Marine Stadium, and a course in Las Vegas. The entire series will be televised on the FOX network.

For fans attending the Richmond event, Dodge will offer “Hornet Rally Rides,” allowing spectators to experience hot laps in a production-spec Dodge Hornet R/T on a specially built course. This initiative aligns with Dodge’s broader strategy to promote its first-ever electrified performance vehicle, the production Dodge Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid. 

Moreover, the street-legal Hornet R/T delivers 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful compact utility vehicle in its segment. It offers 32 miles of all-electric range and achieves 77 MPGe with a total range of 360 miles. The Hornet R/T also features a class-exclusive PowerShot function, providing a 30-horsepower boost on demand.

As Dodge enters this new chapter in its motorsport history, the company appears set to electrify the racetrack and the EV market. With its combination of EV technology, raw power, and strategic marketing, Dodge’s foray into Nitrocross could signal a new era for the brand and electric motorsports. 

If you are looking for other Dodge models, we can help you get started. Click Here to find the best deals near you. Want to learn more about EV? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.

EV.com is the world’s 1st Electric Vehicle (EV) marketplace that aims to promote zero-emission mobility by providing a platform for consumers to learn about, compare, and purchase EVs.