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The 'Dodge Magnum' name has been used on a number of different automobiles. The most recent is a large rear-wheel drive station wagon introduced in 2004 for the 2005 model year. This new Magnum is Dodge's first car to use the new Chrysler LX platform, shared with the Chrysler 300 (of which the Magnum is essentially a wagon version) and the Dodge Charger. Previously, the Dodge Magnum model name had been used from 1978 to 1979 for a large coupe in the United States. In Brazil, the Magnum name was a version of the local Dodge Dart from 1979 to 1981. In Mexico, the Magnum was a K-car from 1983 to 1990.

Contents

1978-1979

NASCAR

Brazil

Mexico

2005-present

SRT-8

2008

Europe

References

External links

1978-1979

The 1978 and 1979 Dodge Magnum in the United States and Canada was an addition to the Chrysler line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar. The Magnum replaced the Charger SE in Dodge's lineup in two forms; the "XE" and the "GT". It was the last vehicle to use the long running Chrysler B platform. The appearance was somewhat of a rounded off Charger, and was in response to getting a car that would be eligible for NASCAR that would be more aerodynamic, something the Charger was not. Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. The Magnum was well-featured with power steering, brakes and seats; the suspension included Chrysler's standard adjustable, longitudinal torsion bars, lower trailing links, and front and rear anti-sway bars. The base engine was the 318 in³ V8 with Lean Burn, while two and four-barrel carbureted 360 and 400 V8s were also available; weight was nearly 3,900 lbs. The 400 was dropped from the option list in 1979 as Chrysler stopped production of big-block V-8's in production cars at the end of 1978. A performance model, the "GT" was available with the "E58" police interceptor engine, HD suspension, special axle, special "GT" badging and a "turned metal" dash applique. Technology was advanced for the time with an onboard spark control computer from inception, electronic ignition, and a lockup torque converter. The Magnum name was discarded quickly in favor of the Mirada, a smaller car that was also a rebadged Chrysler Cordoba. The Magnum has something of a cult following today, with several clubs and enthusiasts who are dedicated to the recognition and preservation of Chrysler's "last B-body".
The True Dodge Magnum Website

NASCAR

For the 1978 NASCAR season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer legal. While the aerodynamic shape of the Magnum was certainly not a problem, the lack of factory support was. This, combined with the lack of development of the small-block Chrysler V8 as a race engine left the car at a disadvantage. Richard Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car. By the latter half of the 1978 season, Petty and Neil Bonnett switched to Chevrolets, leaving independent drivers Buddy Arrington and Frank Warren to soldier on with no factory support. From August 1978, 2-5 independent teams showed up with Magnums in NASCAR races until January 1981, when NASCAR switched to smaller bodied cars. The Magnum never enjoyed the racing heritage of its predecessors, but it was not without its own glorious moments. Petty scored 7 top five finishes in his 17 races with the car, and Neil Bonnett won three poles and scored 5 top five finishes with his. Richard Petty recognized the Magnum with a commemorative decal, depicting his famous number 43 emblazoned on a Magnum for his 1992 Fan Appreciation Tour. Richard Petty's son, Kyle Petty drove one of his father's old Dodge Magnums in his first super-speedway race, and won!

Brazil

In Brazil, the Dodge Dart was produced until 1981 with minor changes from the original model, released in 1969 and largely based on the 1967 Dart. For its last three years of production, a 2-door upper trim level version of the Dart was sold as the Magnum, featuring the 318 in³ V8 engine and a fiberglass front fascia that included four headlights, while the rear end was very similar to the American Dart. The Magnum was sold as a separate model from the Dart, despite being almost identical to the Dart.

Mexico

The same Brazilian Dart derivative was sold in Mexico. 1983 saw the introduction of the K-car Magnum; this version stayed in production until 1990.

2005-present

The Magnum name was revived in 2004 as a 2005 station wagon on the Chrysler LX platform. This is Dodge's first station wagon since the discontinuation of the Dodge Colt wagon in 1991, and though it can be considered the first full-size American station wagon produced since the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice/Buick Roadmaster Estate wagons in 1996, it's not nearly as large, with interior dimensions much closer to those of the more recent Ford Taurus wagon. The new Magnum is essentially a station wagon version of the Chrysler 300, with minor cosmetic changes.
The new Magnum has four engine options; the ''SE'' features the 190 hp 2.7 L LH V6, the ''SXT'' has the 250 hp 3.5 L V6, and the ''RT'' has the new 340 hp 5.7 L Hemi V8. The SRT-8 has a 425 hp 6.1 L Hemi engine.
The Magnum became available with all-wheel drive in 2005 on SXT and RT models. The SRT8, AWD SXT, and the RT use a Mercedes-Benz-derived 5-speed automatic transmission, while all other models use a four-speed automatic.
Like the Chrysler 300, the new Magnum has been a stunning success for the company, easily outselling its predecessor, the Dodge Intrepid. Dodge has announced plans for the Magnum to go on sale as a police variant to compete against the Ford Crown Victoria. Available only to law enforcement, emergency agencies, and government agencies, the vehicle will have the SXT's V6 as a base motor and the Hemi as an option, along with police-specific options such as a steering-column mounted shifter, deactivated interior rear windows and locks, and bulletproof glass between the first and second rows of seats and the cargo area. The Magnum is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
The Magnum was on ''Car and Driver's'' Ten Best list for 2005.

SRT-8

A high performance 'SRT-8' version debuted at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. It went on sale in 2005 as a 2006 model. Like the 300C SRT-8, it features the new 6.1 L Hemi engine, which produces 425 hp (317 kW). 20" wheels, firmer suspension, bigger brakes (Brembo), new lower-body treatment, and a revised front and rear-fascia completes the transformation. The SRT-8 was named 'Best New Modern Muscle Car' in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest. In a two-way comparison test, ''Motor Trend'' tested the Magnum SRT-8 and achieved 60 mph from a standstill in 5.1 seconds, 100 mph in 11.7 seconds and a Quarter Mile-time of 13.1 seconds at 108 mph.

2008

For the 2008 model year, the Magnum will receive a facelift as well as an updated interior in line with that of the Dodge Charger. The front fascia now sports new aggressively squared off headlights and a grille more reminiscent of the Charger. The SRT-8 variant gains a new hood scoop. A new bright red paint scheme is also available. The new changes bring the car closer to its Charger platform mate, away from the Chrysler 300.^[1]



★ Preview the 2008 Dodge Magnum See the options available in 2008.

Europe

In Europe, where the Dodge brand name has poor recognition, the Magnum is sold as the Chrysler 300 Touring. It is essentially the same car as the US-market Magnum, but with the Chrysler 300's front end and interior.

References

1. Automobile Magazine: 2008 Dodge Magnum

External links

★ Official website

★ Original Dodge Magnum and 2005-current Dodge Magnum at allpar.com

★ 2005-current Dodge Magnum R/T