The 2011 Dodge Magnum (7-passenger CUV)

1978-79 Dodge Magnum | 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum | 1998-2003 Dodge Durango | 2004-2009 Dodge Durango

Dodge may name this crossover Dodge Durango after all.

With the Dodge Durango dropped, a new seven passenger CUV, the 2011 Dodge Magnum, will enter the Dodge lineup, filling roughly the same niche.

Updated June 16th, 2010: Reliable Allpar sources have now confirmed that the upcoming new Dodge CUV will use the Magnum name instead of Durango (though Ralph Gilles was quoted in late June as saying it was still up in the air). Due to begin production in November or December 2010, the new 2011 Magnum will likely feature a wheelbase that is several inches longer than the new Grand Cherokee.

Dodge is also planning to use "lifestyle" names for the new Magnum models — Boulevard, Citadel, Crew, Express, Heat, and R/T (the latter having the 5.7L VVT Hemi and available at launch, taking some pressure off the Trenton Engine plant, which is making hot new Pentastar V6).

The Wall Street Journal wrote about a Chrysler Citadel, which we believe is a misunderstanding (given the other errors in the article) confusing the Chrysler Citadel concept — which became the Pacifica — with a possible matching Citadel model of the Dodge Grand Caravan.

As would be expected, the new Magnum will share a lot of the equipment and options featured on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, including upgraded premium interiors. Features (some optional) will include:

• the new Alpine premium audio system with 9 speakers and subwoofer
• new Garmin based navigation radios
• active head restraints
• Hill Start Assist
• HID headlamps and power liftgate
• dual rear exhaust (Hemi models)
• Proximity Keyless Entry and push button start.

Seating configurations will be for five or seven passengers. The front passenger seat can be folded flat, the second row will have a 60/40 fold and tumble seat, and the third row seat will include headrests that can be lowered by the driver for a better rear view. The new Magnum will also be available without the third row seat if desired.

Engine choices will include the new 3.6L Pentastar (with the Mercedes W5A580 5-speed auto trans) and the 5.7L VVT Hemi (with the proven Chrysler 545RFE five-speed transmission). The new Magnum is expected to start arriving in showrooms by early December, and will be built in a renovated North Jefferson plant.

Redriderbob wrote in mid-2009, “About a year and half ago, I broke the word to you guys and gals at Allpar.com that the next generation of the Grand Cherokee would grow in size to cover both the Commander and Grand Cherokee lineups. I also stated that the next Grand Cherokee, Aspen, and Durango would all share a common platform. That is still true. Dodge will replace the Durango in 2012, one model year after the introduction of the new Grand Cherokee. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2012 Dodge Durango will share powertrains as well as chassis parts. The Chrysler Aspen's future is still undecided.”

Aerodynamic considerations have a stronger influence.

1978-79 Dodge Magnum | 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum | 1998-2003 Dodge Durango | 2004-2009 Dodge Durango