Dodge Magnum
Dodge Magnum | |
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Chrysler LLC (2007–2008) |
The Dodge Magnum is a nameplate used by several Dodge vehicles, at different times and on various markets. The name was first applied to a large Chrysler B platform-based 2-door coupe marketed from 1978 to 1979 sold in the United States[1] and Canada. From the 2005 to the 2008 model years, the nameplate was revived for a Charger-based station wagon on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform, produced in Canada and sold on the American and Canadian market.
In Brazil, the Magnum was a top-of-the-line version of the local Dodge Dart, produced from 1979 to 1981.
In Mexico, the Dodge Magnum was a sporty rear-wheel drive two-door car based on Chrysler's
US and Canada (1978–1979)
Dodge Magnum (US & Canada, 1978–1979) | |
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Dodge Charger | |
Successor | Dodge Mirada |
The Magnum was introduced for 1978 to supplement the
During the start of the 1979 model year, the 400 V8 engine was dropped from the options list as Chrysler stopped producing big-block V8 engines in production cars during the end of 1978 model year. A performance model, the "GT" had been available with the 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 during the previous model year (1978) and the "E58" police interceptor (360 V8-195 HP) engine was available during the 1979 model year along with 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. During the end of the 1979 model year, the mid-size B-body Dodge Magnum (along with its mid-size B-body based Chrysler Cordoba counterpart) was discontinued, as was with just the Magnum name itself, in favor of what would become a smaller, all newly designed, M-body platform based Mirada coupe (which also would be shared along with what would become its M-body platform based Chrysler Cordoba coupe counterpart as well) all during the next four model years (1980–1983). Only 3,704 1979 Dodge Magnum coupes included a T-Top.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/1978_Dodge_Magnum_XE_in_Red%2C_rear_left_%28Lime_Rock%29.jpg/220px-1978_Dodge_Magnum_XE_in_Red%2C_rear_left_%28Lime_Rock%29.jpg)
NASCAR
The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to Chrysler's line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar. For the 1978 NASCAR season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer eligible for competition. Chrysler worked on several car designs to smooth out the current 1975 bodied Charger into something that would be reasonably aerodynamic for the big racetracks and the Magnum design was settled on in the summer of 1977 for use in the 1978 racing season. While not as aerodynamic as the 1974 Charger body, the shape of the Magnum showed promise, and the "Petty Enterprises" built test cars reached 190 mph (310 km/h) on test runs. At first it seemed that out on the tracks the cars ran well with Petty almost winning his Daytona 125 (finishing second), and leading over 30 laps of the Daytona 500 until a blown front tire caused him to wreck. However, the lack of factory development support of the small-block Chrysler 360 V8 as a race engine was becoming more of a problem, and in high speed racing traffic the Magnum did not handle well. Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car - before the season he declared, "The Magnum is undriveable at 190 MPH."
By the latter half of the 1978 season, Petty and
Production Figures:
Yearly Total | |
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1978 | 47,827 |
1979 | 25,367 |
Total | 73,194 |
Brazil (1979–1981)
Dodge Magnum (Brazil) | |
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FR layout | |
Platform | A-body |
Related | Dodge Dart |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 |
Transmission | 4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic |
In the old Simca Factory in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, the Dodge Dart was produced from 1969 until 1981 (more than 92,000 cars were sold). They were built with minor changes from the original model, starting in 1969, and were all largely based on the 1968 Dart GT (and GTS). For its last three years of production, a two-door upper trim level version of the Dart was sold as the Magnum, featuring the 318 cu in V8 engine used in all Dodge coupe and sedan models in Brazil. A unique fiberglass front fascia that included four headlights to give it a more modern look was used, while the rear end was very similar to the 1975 American Dart (the Dart model from the same year having been identical to the Swinger from USA). The Magnum (top of the line) was sold as a separate model from the Dart (bottom line), despite being technically almost identical to the Dart.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Dodge_Magnum1979_BR.jpg/220px-Dodge_Magnum1979_BR.jpg)
The Dodge was well received in Brazil. Today one can find car clubs with many Dodge coupes in good condition. The coupe and sedan models in Brazil were (all variations from the Dart 1968 model): Dart [1969–1981] (as a 2-door coupe from 1970 until 1981 or as a four-door sedan from 1969 until 1981), sporting but lower priced Dart SE, better equipped Dart DeLuxo (two or four doors), Gran Coupe (more luxurious yet than the Dart DeLuxo, with two doors only), Gran Sedan (above the Dart DeLuxo model, with four doors only), Charger R/T [1971–1980] (coupe bodywork only, from 1971 to 1980 it was the top model in sport segment), LeBaron (replacing the 'Gran Sedan' with four-door sedan body, from 1979 to 1981) and Magnum (substitute for the 'Gran Coupe', Brazil's top model in the luxurious segment from 1979 to 1981).
Mexico (1981–1988)
Dodge Magnum (Mexico, first generation) | |
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Dodge Valiant Super Bee |
First generation
In 1980, the F-body cars were discontinued in Mexico, as well in the U.S., so the compact cars Dodge Dart (using the front of the Volaré and the rear of the Aspen), Valiant Volaré (using the front of the Aspen and the rear of the Volaré), and sporty Valiant Super Bee, were dropped for this year.
In 1979, Chrysler de México introduced the Chrysler LeBaron based on the M-body platform, and two years later it introduced the Dodge Diplomat as the Dodge Dart. These were very similar to the American Plymouth Gran Fury in appearance and trim, but had Chrysler's Rallye wheels instead of deluxe wheel covers. Chrysler de México used a small platform and the Magnum name, equipping it with 360 CID (5.9 L) V8 engine (rated at 300 hp (224 kW), with a
Second generation
Dodge Magnum 400 / Magnum K (Mexico, second generation) | |
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Chrysler Shadow GTS |
The K-car based Mexican Dodge Magnum was a sporty 2-door compact, based on the Dodge Aries coupe body (with blackout 1982–1985 Dodge 400 grille in 1983–1985 and a blackout 1986–1988 Plymouth Caravelle grille in 1986–1988) offered from 1983 to 1988 with available turbocharger ("TurboChrysler" engine) from 1984 on. Four engines were offered for the Mexican Dodge Magnum K: a 2.2 L SOHC I-4 (K-Trans-4, 1983–86), a turbocharged 2.2 L SOHC I-4 (1984–86) and two 2.5&nbnsp;L SOHC I-4s, with and without turbocharger (1987–88).
When it was introduced, the Mexican Dodge Magnum 400 Turbo was advertised as "Mexico's fastest car" in the TV commercials of the time, and it surely was in 1985, when the "Fox" (1979–84) 5.0 L Mexican Ford Mustang was dropped from the catalog of Ford Mexico. The Mexican front-wheel drive Magnum was officially called "Dodge Magnum 400" between 1983 and 1984, as it was a sporty Mexican variation of the American Dodge 400 of the early eighties (without the vinyl roof of the US version and with high output 2.2 L engine (available turbocharger from 1984 on), heavy-duty suspension, sporty wheels, tires, dash, steering wheel, console, shifter and seats). In 1984, the Mexican Magnum 400 Turbo was the closest thing to an American Dodge Daytona Turbo south of the border. For 1985, the "400" suffix was dropped. For the 1987 season, the turbocharger received an intercooler and the power from the turbo engine changed from 140 to 150 hp (112 kW). The K-car based Magnum was replaced by the Mexican Chrysler Shadow GTS for the 1989 model year.
Chrysler LX platform (2005–2008)
US and Canada
Dodge Magnum (2005–2008) | |
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W5A580 automatic | |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 120.0 in (3,048 mm) |
Length | 197.7 in (5,022 mm) |
Width | 74.1 in (1,882 mm) |
Height | 2005-07: 58.4 in (1,483 mm) 2008: 58.3 in (1,481 mm) SRT8: 57.9 in (1,471 mm) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/05_Dodge_Magnum_RT_%289467758925%29.jpg/220px-05_Dodge_Magnum_RT_%289467758925%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/05_Dodge_Magnum_RT_Interior_%286449093377%29.jpg/220px-05_Dodge_Magnum_RT_Interior_%286449093377%29.jpg)
The Magnum name was revived in 2004 for the 2005 model year, as a
The Dodge Magnum is based on the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler LX platform with Chrysler executives confirming that structural elements of the car's foundation such as the toe board, safety cage architecture, as well as the load-path philosophy being utilized by then-partner, Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes executives also confirmed that several individual components of the car are derived from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) and S-Class of the era. Shared and or derived components from Mercedes-Benz included: the rear suspension cradle and 5-link independent rear suspension design derived from E-Class, a double-wishbone front suspension design with short-and-long arm front suspension geometry derived from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), the 5-Speed NAG1 W5A580 transmission (SRT8, AWD SXT, and the RT), rear differential, driveshaft, ESP & ABS systems, steering system, the CAN Bus electrical architecture, cabin electronics including several other electronic modules, switchgear such as the cruise control and turn signal combination stalk, seat controls, seat frames, and the wiring harness. Later models also feature a Mercedes-Benz-derived laser key ignition system in place of the traditional metal key. AWD models also benefited from the use of Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC system, including transfer case components.
The Magnum was on
SRT-8
A higher performance
- 0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds
- 0-100 mph: 11.7 seconds
- Standing 1/4-mile: 13.1 sec at 108 mph (174 km/h)
2007 and 2008 also saw the addition of the R/T "Red Badge" 29R Road and Track package, which featured all of the SRT-8 options except the 6.1 Hemi engine and Brembo brakes.
Safety
NHTSA crash test ratings (2006):[9]
- Frontal Crash Test – Driver:
- Frontal Crash Test – Passenger:
- Side Impact Rating – Driver:
- Side Impact Rating – Rear Passenger:
- Rollover Rating:
10.9%
Europe and Australia
In Europe and Australia, the Magnum was sold as the Chrysler 300 Touring. It was essentially the same as the U.S.-market Magnum, but with the Chrysler 300C's front end and interior, and right-hand-drive for Australia and the U.K. The 300C Touring added an available 3.0 L CRD Turbo Diesel version. The 300C Touring was assembled in Austria.
2008 changes
For the 2008 model year, the Magnum received a facelift as well as an updated interior in line with that of the Dodge Charger. The front fascia sported new aggressively squared off headlights and a smaller rectangular grille more reminiscent of the Charger. The Magnum SE, SXT, And RT models received two all new colors for the 2008 model year; Mineral Gray, and Light Sandstone. The SRT-8 variant gained a new hood scoop, more aggressive front fascia, a smaller, honeycomb mesh grille, and larger lower grille with brake cooling ducts. New colors such as TorRed and Steel Blue Metallic, originally introduced in 2007, were carried over to the face lifted 2008 SRT-8 Magnums as well as other trim levels. These new changes brought the car closer to its Charger platform mate, away from the Chrysler 300.[10]
Cancellation
On November 1, 2007, Chrysler announced that, as part of its restructuring plans, the Dodge Magnum would be one of four models discontinued after the 2008 model year. In Chrysler's words: "The Magnum, along with the PT Cruiser convertible, the Crossfire, and the Pacifica were not earning their keep". Production ended on March 28, 2008. The Dodge Magnum (along with the short-wheelbase Dodge Caravan) has been replaced by the Dodge Journey.[5]
Total U.S. sales
Calendar Year | Sales |
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2004[11] | 39,217 |
2005[11] | 52,487 |
2006[12] | 40,095 |
2007[12] | 30,256 |
2008[13] | 6,912 |
2009[14] | 113 |
References
- ^ Chrysler brochures: Chrysler de México 1981-88
- ^ "1979 Dodge Magnum XE specs". Carfolio.com. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- OCLC 43301709.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-02-02. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b Dee-Ann Durbin (AP) (2007). "Chrysler to cut up to 12,000 jobs". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on November 3, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
- ^ "CNNMoney.com: Car and Driver names 10 best cars". Money.cnn.com. 2004-12-14. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ "Dodge Magnum SRT-8". www.ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ "Motor Trend Comparison Test: Dodge Magnum SRT-8". Motortrend.com. 2007-02-26. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ "2006 DODGE MAGNUM | NHTSA". www.nhtsa.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
- ^ "Automobile Magazine: 2008 Dodge Magnum". Automobilemag.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ a b "Chrysler Group 2005 US Sales". Chrysler. 2008-01-03. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ a b "Total Chrysler LLC December 2007 Sales Up 1 Percent on the Strength of Retail". CheersandGears.com. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ "December 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC". CheersandGears.com. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
- ^ "Chrysler Group LLC December 2009 Sales". CheersandGears.com. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Marty Robbins #42 Dodge Magnum
- Original Dodge Magnum and 2005-current Dodge Magnum at allpar.com
- 2005-current Dodge Magnum R/T Archived 2018-01-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Chrysler 300C Touring (Australia)
- The Last 2008 Magnum SRT-8 Steel Blue car 29 Claude Lacombe's 2008 Dodge Magnum SRT8