2005 Dodge Magnum RT Pictures, Specifications, Information

It had been more than 30 years since Dodge ruled the streets with HEMI® power and rear-wheel-drive performance. For 2004, Dodge unleashes power in an all-new proportion with the launch of its 2005 Dodge Magnum.

“Dodge Magnum is just one of the first new and exciting vehicles in our fast-paced launch plan,” said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group. “All told, we’ll bring twenty-five new vehicles to market in the next thirty-six months.

The legendary engine that powered Dodge's muscle cars of the 1960s has been re-engineered and reborn as a modern, high-performance, fuel-efficient and durable powerplant known as the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. With 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, the Dodge Magnum RT can go from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds.

The HEMI-powered 2005 Dodge Magnum RT will be the first modern production vehicle in North America to feature cylinder deactivation when it goes on sale in the spring of 2004. The Chrysler Group Multi Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed. This provides a world class combination of performance and fuel economy.

Dodge brings back rear-wheel drive to transfer all this power to the pavement through an all-new independent five-bar rear-drive layout. The Magnum powertrain and suspension systems work together for a precise balance of performance and handling, making optimum use of all four tire contact patches. For ultimate power distribution, an all-wheel drive version of the Dodge Magnum also will be available.

“High performance vehicles like the Dodge Magnum demand rear-wheel drive,” said Zetsche. “Advances in stability systems and tire technology make this the right time to launch our rear-wheel drive, HEMI-powered Dodge Magnum.”

Dodge Magnum delivers on the benefits of a sport-utility vehicle, with available all-wheel drive and up to 3,800 pounds of towing capacity, along with the ride and handling of a sports sedan. Magnum’s unique package features an “extreme access” liftgate hinged forward off the d-pillar to open straight up instead of swinging out. The large 11.3 square foot opening can swallow a 27-inch TV. “The only way a car company can win, is by building great products with innovative features,” said Zetche.

“Consistent with the bold, in-your-face philosophy of the Dodge brand, our design objective with Dodge Magnum was to break away from the pack,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Design, DaimlerChrysler. “With a rear-wheel-drive architecture and a HEMI® engine inside, we created yet another package with proportions unlike any other in the marketplace.”

A CHISELED, CUT EXTERIOR

Dodge Magnum charts a brave new direction for Dodge. Combining the functional characteristics of a sport-utility along with the performance and road manners of a sport sedan, Dodge has created a unique vehicle in its segment. Its architecture and proportions convey a bold, powerful image that is youthful, masculine, and aggressive.

“This noble, powerful design appears as if chiseled from a metal ingot, building on the powerful presence of the new Dodge Ram truck,” said Creed. “Magnum is pure Dodge. It is substantial, with every element having a purpose.”

Magnum is the first rear-wheel drive car for the Dodge brand in nearly 20 years, and designers used this opportunity to create a different vehicle image from what is currently offered in the marketplace today. The profile of the vehicle represents the greatest departure from today and takes on the image of a “shooting brake.” With a bold hood and long tapered roof line, the look is dramatic. The front and rear overhangs have been minimized which emphasizes the wheels at the corners and conveys a message of design efficiency.

The beltline on the body has been raised, while the roofline has been pulled down tautly around the windows to create a new proportion of body to glass which is usually only found on hot rods and concept vehicles. The tall bodyside is substantial and offers the driver a feeling of safety. This clean, ingot-like body is interrupted up by a set of pronounced wheel flares which contain a set of available massive 18” tires and wheels.

The front-end design is very bold and features a prominent grille with the familiar Dodge cross hair center theme, which contains a Ram’s head badge. Taking a cue from the Ram truck, the grille employs a texture of horizontal grille bars. The shape of the grille itself is new and signals a new signature for the face of the Dodge brand. The headlamps are large for improved functional requirements and figure prominently into the front-end design.

Exterior ornamentation is minimal and supports the philosophy of visual strength and design efficiency. The interior components of the headlamps have been given a unique finish to provide optimum performance, and are executed in a fashion to create visual entertainment as well. The body side molding is a body-colored part highlighted with an elegant bright accent. The nameplates themselves reside on the liftgate with the exception of those vehicles equipped with a V-8 “HEMI” engine. In those special cases, a discreet nameplate is added to the fender above the molding punctuating the fact that there is something special under the hood.

Special attention was also given to the design of the exterior mirrors and door handles. The mirrors were shaped in the wind tunnel to maximize aerodynamic efficiencies and minimize the structural mass to achieve a light and unobtrusive appearance. The use of body color mirror heads help contribute to the vehicle’s upscale appearance. The door handles as well are a new “pull style” design which look substantial, feel good in the hand, and add to the overall solid appearance of the car.

The large 18” aluminum, five spoke wheels along with the large disc brakes, and 18” tires work together to convey the message that this is a driver’s car. Magnum blends the functional attributes of a sport-utility, the character of sport sedan, and the soul of a Viper to create a unique vehicle for Dodge.

An unusually large cargo opening is created by hinging the top of the rear gate midway between the C- and D-pillar. Surrounding the cargo gate, the rear taillamps are pushed to the corners to maximize functionality while accentuating the vehicle’s wide stance. A large, protective rear bumper tops dual exhaust pipes, emphasizing Dodge Magnum RT’s HEMI V-8 performance.

BOLD, FLEXIBLE INTERIOR

“Dodge Magnum’s interior delivers on the promise of the exterior making a strong business like statement with, silver accented gauges, door pulls and two- tone color scheme, which complement the spacious, leather interior,” said Creed. “And in a time when people are used to the flexibility and taller seating packages of sport-utility vehicles, Dodge Magnum combines both by raising the seating position two-and-a-half inches from our current passenger cars and adding a spacious and flexible cargo area.”

Dodge Magnum’s interior is richly finished in a two-tone treatment which work together to give Magnum a luxurious but serious driver environment.

Placed behind the sporty four spoke steering wheel with silver accents, are four competition-style instrument gauges with white faces and silver colored accent rings tunneled-in to the instrument panel similar to those found on Dodge Viper. The center stack components are new and feature a new HVAC control unit, along with a variety of radios. A premium radio with an integrated navigation system is also available. Secondary controls for heated seats are located low on either side of the central ash receiver. Special attention was paid to the execution of these components to minimize gaps, and touch efforts as well as highlight flushness to adjacent components to achieve world class fit and finish. The centerpiece of the center console is the silver accented leather shift knob which highlights the gated shifter and new five speed automatic transmission for greater driving enjoyment.

The 60/40 split rear seats fold flat and feature a fold-out armrest. The flexible rear cargo area features an upper flat-load floor that expands the usable cargo area when the rear seats are folded forward. Additional storage is provided below this load floor for smaller items and in deep pockets on either side of the floor rearward of the wheels.

The Hemi Engine

The modern HEMI engine offers more power and torque than any Chrysler Group vehicle passenger car engine since the legendary 426 HEMI of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Today’s engine produces 340 hp @ 5000 rpm and 390 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm.

The new HEMI has been engineered to deliver outstanding performance, and also provide minimal noise, vibration, and harshness, smoothness and low emissions. Fuel economy has also been improved, but not at the expense of performance. Chrysler Group has developed and will be the first to offer to offer Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on a modern, large volume vehicle in North America.

“The Chrysler Group MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7L HEMI engine is in demand,” said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President Product Development Chrysler Group. “This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not needed, without sacrificing vehicle performance—2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT owners will get the maximum benefit without any compromises.”

Owners of the Dodge Magnum RT will receive the powerful benefit of the HEMI engine with the fuel economy that they would only expect from a smaller, less powerful engine.

“The MDS was part of the engine’s original design,” said Bob Lee, Vice President Powertrain Product Team Chrysler Group. “This resulted in a cylinder-deactivation system that is elegantly simple and completely integrated into the engine design. The benefits are fewer parts, maximum reliability and lower cost.”

Some of the significant technologies enabling the Chrysler Group MDS are the speed of electronic controls, the sophistication of the algorithms controlling the systems and the use of Electronic Throttle Control ETC. The HEMI will be able to transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds).

The HEMI engine with MDS has completed over 6.5 million customer-equivalent miles through Chrysler Group’s development and durability testing. It is covered by the 7-Year/70,000-mile Limited Powertrain warranty.

The HEMI engine that powers the Dodge Magnum RT uses aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers for outstanding airflow leading to high power and torque. Dual ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder) increases peak power and torque, reduces exhaust emissions, increases fuel economy and provides a smooth idle. The combustion system has been refined and the engine uses direct-mount accessories for quiet operation.

The engine is equipped with ETC which enables several of the technologies used to maximize vehicle smoothness, performance, safety and fuel economy.