The 2005-2009 Dodge Magnum
Will the Dodge Magnum return?
Rumors have been flying that Dodge will be making a new Magnum based on the 2013 Dodge Charger. The car would also be sold in Europe in Lancia form, as may be expected. The car shown above is a rendering which JackRatchett tells us will incorporate an air suspension — so this would be “parking mode.” (No rumors of an air suspension exist, and most likely a production car would use smaller wheels with a greater ride height.)
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).
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 (the best seller was the Ram and the halo car was 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).
Annual model year changes
2007 changes included an AM/FM/six-CD full-map DVD-based navigation radio with GPS, SIRIUS satellite radio with first-year subscription provided by SIRIUS, sunscreen privacy glass, new wheel and tire options, automatic oil change alert, low-risk deployment air bags, power adjustable pedals, a new color palette and packages including a Road/Track Performance Group (big wheels, high-performance tires, extra 10 horsepower from engine tuning, performance seats, legacy R/T badging, and various luxury options), and the SRT-8 got rear seat video and new colors.
2008 changes included 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.
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. See our Hemi page.
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. |
Dodge Magnum Engineering
Most engineering notes are here.
Exterior styling
According to Chrysler, the low glass-to-body ratio gives Dodge Magnum a protective appearance and an unmistakable road presence. 
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) |
| Cargo bay opening | 11.3 square feet | |
See our main concept cars page.
Read "Son of Magnum: the 1978 and 2005 Dodge Magnums"