Yes, but this is no grocery getter. It looks more “Mob mobile” than “Mom mobile.” With its broad-shouldered styling and 5.7-liter Hemi V8, the Dodge Magnum RT almost looks menacing. Its deep-dish, 18-inch wheels are wide and sinister, and with very little visible glass, the Magnum has the chiseled look of heavy protection.
Hemis Are for Muscle Cars: Right you are! And this Hemi-driven machine is no exception. How’s 340 hp grab ya? That’s zero to 60 in about seven seconds, with speed topping out at an estimated 126 mph.
A Tough Guy’s Wagon: Its architecture and proportions communicate a bold, powerful image that’s youthful, masculine and aggressive, which is the type of buyer Dodge is targeting.
Improved Fuel Economy: The Magnum’s multi-displacement system idles one side of the V8 when it’s not needed. By switching from eight to four cylinders during cruising and light acceleration, MDS improves fuel economy from 5 to 20 percent – depending on the weight of your lead foot!
Pick Your Poison: Magnum comes in seven shades from Cool Vanilla (white), Inferno Red and Magnesium (light gray) to Bright Silver, Mineral Gray, Midnight Blue and Brilliant Black.
In Case You Crash: Magnum’s rigid structure and unibody construction offer more protection by managing energy in the event of an accident. And Magnum’s Occupant Classification System recognizes when and with what force to deploy the passenger front air bag based on whether or not someone is sitting in the seat and how much that person weighs.
The Price Tag: The Magnum RT starts at $29,995. Sans the Hemi, the Magnum SE with a 2.7-liter V6 is $22,495 to start. And the Magnum SXT, also minus the Hemi, is $25,995 for the 3.5-liter V6 version. (But really, what’s the point?)
In the Driver’s Seat: Magnum’s front seats are positioned higher than other vehicles (by about 2 inches) so like being in a truck, you have the advantage of being able to look over the road. The rear seats are positioned even higher than the front row so your rear-seat passengers also can look out the front window. (Thus cutting down on the oft’-heard “are we there yet” question.)
Kids, Groceries and 2-by-4s: With 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 71.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, you’ll carry passengers and cargo – a whole lot of cargo – wherever you go, whatever you do. Carry on!
Writer Cheryl McMullen is managing editor of BodyShop Business.
