The 2005-2009 Dodge Magnum

2008 changes SRT-8 test drive SRT-8 track drive Our test drive LX powertrains and features Police cars 1980s Dodge Magnums Magnum SRT-8 Snow and ice performance 1978 vs 2005 Dodge Magnums For brakes, traction control, and the 2.7 liter engine see the main LX page.

Sales of the Dodge Magnum were promising until the Dodge Charger appeared; at that point Magnum sales slowed considerably. Some police departments initially purchased Magnums as test vehicles, but again, the Charger squad package appears to have edged out the Magnum, which doesn't do as well in braking or cornering. In Europe, the Dodge Magnum was called the Chrysler 300C Touring (and is sold with a 300 front clip and an optional Mercedes diesel).

2008 changes include a lowered and stretched front grille, chrome elements added to the front, dual angled headlamps, a restyled hood for SRT8, optional high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, and new wheels. The interior was moderately redesigned, with a freshened instrument panel, center console, and door trim; chromed highlights throughout the driver’s area; carbon fiber highlights on SRT8; soft touch points throughout the interior, including arm rests on the doors and top of the center console; new seat mounted airbags in addition to side curtain airbags; new radios including MyGIG; Sirius back-seat TV optional; iPod interface on UConnect models; MDs status display (four vs eight cylinders firing) added to Hemi models; and a new tire pressure monitoring system.

The end of production for the Dodge Magnum was announced in late 2007; it would not reappear in the 2009 model year, in order to cut a shift at the factory. It had some initial popularity, but that soon faded when the Dodge Charger appeared.

Dodge Magnum acceleration (2005-2008 models)

Engine	Power (hp @ rpm)	Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	0-60 (seconds)	0-100 (seconds)	top speed (mph)	EPA Mileage
5.7 V8	340 @ 5,000	390 @ 4,000	6.4	16.3	143	17/23
3.5 V6	250 @ 6,400	250 @ 4,000	9.1	25	117	19/27 RWD 18/24 AWD
2.7 V6	190 @ 6,400	190 @ 4,000	10.5	n/a	n/a	21/28 RWD 17/23 AWD
SRT8	425 @ 6,000	420 @ 4800	5.1	12	165	14/20

Note: The Magnum R/T can tow 3,800 pounds. 89 octane recommended on the 3.5. Our results for the 3.5 and 5.7 are from Michigan State Police tests; the 2.7 is from Chrysler; SRT8 is from various published sources.

Dodge Magnum performance in the Michigan State Police tests: September 2004

Engine	0-50	0-90	Quarter Mile	60-0 distance	60-0 deecel. rate
3.5 V6	6.65	19.43	16.94@84.38	143.4 feet	27.01 ft/sec2

Sprints (e.g. 0-60) at some magazines rely on having an expert driver revs high before launching; "seat of the pants" performance of some good sprint cars is poor - e.g. the Matrix XRS, which feels slower in everyday driving than the plain Matrix. We have been told by early testers that even the 2.7 feels strong.

Prices

Model	Price	Features
Magnum SE	$21,870 + $625	2.7-liter V-6 with a four-speed automatic. 60/40 split rear folding seat, remote keyless entry, outside temperature display, AM/FM CD radio, manual tilt/telescoping steering column, super access lift gate, reverseable cargo load floor. Options: eight-way power driver's seat, adjustable pedals, rear cargo management system, four-wheel disc antilock brakes, all speed traction control, electronic stability control, and emergency brake assist.
Magnum SXT	$25,370+ $625	3.5-liter V-6, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, all speed traction control, electronic stability control (!), emergency brake assist, eight-way power driver's seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels and sunscreen glass. Also available is the Protection Group (including self sealing tires, front and rear side curtain airbags and an air filtration system), Boston Acoustic Premium Sound System, UConnect hands free communication system, sunroof, and heated leather seats. The all wheel drive version, which is more expensive, is expected to use the five-speed automatic. Four-speed automatic in 2005 RWD models; five-speed automatic in all AWD models and 2006+ RWD models.
Magnum R/T	$29,370+ $625	Dodge Magnum RT has the V-8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick®. 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhaust, large disc brakes, fog lamps, exterior chrome accents, leather seats, and Boston Acoustic six-speaker 288-watt digital amplifier. 3,800 pound towing capability with optional package.

Cylinder deactivation

The Magnum and 300C were the first modern production vehicles in North America to feature cylinder deactivation. The Multi Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly turned off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed. More details are on our Hemi page.

Dodge Magnum specifications

Wheelbase	120"
Length	198"
Width	74"
Overhang	35" front, 43" rear
Track	63" front/rear
Weight	3,800 - 4,100 lb
Interior volume	106 cubic feet
Cargo volume	27.3 cubic feet (772 L)
Cargo bay opening	11.3 square feet

For more specifications, see the bottom of the page.

Marketing and branding

Studies of the Dodge brand showed it was associated with being bold and powerful, and doing more; word associations were power, muscle, unique, sleek, and protective, probably because the best seller is the Ram and the halo car is the Viper. The Magnum was designed to fill these attributes. The hatchback style gate included about two feet of roof to make it easier to load (without fear of hitting the hatch lid).

Engineering

Most engineering notes are here.

Exterior styling

Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President of Design, said the design objective "was to break away from the pack." Dodge Magnum SRT-8's long hood and clean, sweeping roofline hint at the performance and power underneath the exterior of this concept vehicle. Deep-dish wheels push out of massive wheel arches and combine with a large grille to visually plant the Magnum SRT-8 on the road. Dodge Magnum sports a bold front grille with machined aluminum accents, and its fascia features large openings with fog lamps and high-intensity discharge headlamps pushed to the corners of the front fascia. Park and turn lamps are created by thin amber neon lines beneath each headlamp. There are four headlamps - two normal, two "brights."

The low glass-to-body ratio gives Dodge Magnum SRT-8 a protective appearance, while giving the vehicle an unmistakable road presence. Brushed aluminum body-side moldings are simple yet accent the serious nature of the vehicle. Thick, bold door handles are integrated and easy to grip.

An unusually large cargo opening is created by hinging the top of the rear gate midway between the C- and D-pillar (in short, the hatch includes two feet or so of roof). Underneath the fold-flat floor are a spare tire and compartments which can hold flares, jumper cables, and the like. There are also handy side compartments.

Interior styling

The interior matches the exterior, with machined aluminum accents and tunneled gauges. Seats are over two inches higher than in the current LH models for easier entry and exit. The Magnum is finished in dark grey leather with ochre accents, and the instrument panel and door trim are two-tone grey. Four competition-style gauges with aluminum accent rings are designed to remind drivers of the Viper, while the center stack includes a navigation system.

The 60/40 split rear seats stow in the floor and feature a fold-out armrest. The flexible rear cargo area features an upper floor to create a flat-load floor with the rear seats stowed in the forward position. Storage on both sides of the floor offer deep pockets rearward of the wheels. A small, removable cooler docks into an electrical connector on the left side of the compartment to keep items cold.

Specifications with comparison to Dodge Intrepid

	2005 Dodge Magnum	2000 Dodge Intrepid
Wheelbase	120"	113"
Length	198"	209"
Width	74"	74.5"
Height	58.4"	56"
Overhang	34" front, 42.5" rear
Track	63" front/rear	62"
Weight	3,855 - 4,336 lb	3,446-3,556 lb
EPA gas mileage	Varies, see above	18/26 (3.5)
Ground clearance	5.6"	5.1"
Weight distribution	51/49 (V6)	64/36
Interior volume	105.9 cubic feet (133.1 EPA)	107.6 cubic feet (126.3 EPA)
Cargo volume	27.2 cubic feet (770 L) 71.6 with rear seats folded	18.7 cubic feet (530L)
Built in...	Brampton, Ontario
Front head room	38.4 (983)	38.3 (974) - std., 37.1 (942) - w/moonroof
Front leg room	41.8 (1061)	42.1 (1070)
Front shoulder room	58.7	59.1 (1500)
Front hip room	56.2	56.4 (1431)
Seat travel	10.6 driver, 8.7 passenger	8.7 (220)
Rear head room	38.1 (968)	37.2 (945)
Rear leg room	40.2 (1020)	41.6 (1056)
Rear knee clearance	4.8 (122)	5.9 (151)
Rear shoulder room	57.6 (1464)	58.3 (1482)
Rear hip room	55.5 (1409)	56.8 (1442)

Our Dodge Magnum car review

See our main LX models page

See our main concept cars page.

Read "Son of Magnum: the 1978 and 2005 Dodge Magnums"

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