2006 Dodge Magnum Review

Specifications

Rebel Wagon Might be the Ultimate Automotive Paradox

Theres a rebel side to my personality, an anti-establishmentarianism that some would say typifies my entire character, and therefore juxtaposes my somewhat conservative, religiously oriented mindset to the point that wires cross, sparks fly, retinas glaze over and pupils dart back and forth in a frenzy of short circuitry that numbs the mind. At least thats what happened when I sat behind the wheel of Dodges new Magnum SRT8.

Yes, its one of those cars momma wouldnt be proud to see you drive up to dinner in, especially if painted bad-boy black. Its 20-inch forged aluminum rims, low profile rubber and ground hugging nature evokes the darker side in us all, “inspiring” performance enthusiast minded auto writers to produce reams of overbearing hyperbole ad nauseam and cause environmentalists to foam at the mouth in seething contempt, before taking up organized marches, placards piled atop one another in the backs of suitably boring, anemic station wagons.

The well-appointed Magnum SRT8 has room enough for all your placards, I say with sly grin and one eyebrow raised. Oh, theres that unscrupulous side of my personality acting up again. Heck, even Dodge cant tout its fuel-saving MDS cylinder-deactivation technology in this dark horse, it being excluded when the R/Ts 5.7-liter HEMI jumps in displacement to 6.1 liters. So lets, for the time being, forget any planet damaging rhetoric for a gluttonous serving of self-satisfying indulgence, shall we?

Even Hollywood do-gooder Tim Robbins would have to agree that the Magnum SRT8 has a Schwarzenegger-like presence. Bold, brash and, even rooted in Germany no less, what with its Mercedes-Benz E-Class inspired undercarriage, steering rack, manually actuated five-speed automatic transmission, etc. Arnold might even agree that it looks better than the Hummers hes so faithfully promoted up until becoming the green (previously golden) states “governator”, and it certainly would get him to and from daily meetings on time.

The cars sizeable footprint defies its agility, but then again theres nothing that holds to the tarmac like a wide track and big rubber. Certainly, its weight can be felt when tackling 90 degree turns at high-speed, but in nevertheless performs such tasks with uncanny stability, a realization that came somewhat shockingly during an all-day test at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant, an hour and a half north of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This is a world class racetrack, that if youve read previous reviews of everything from Ford Focuses to Ferrari F430s - and dare I say a certain Chrysler 300C SRT8 - youve heard me ramble on infinitum about.

Speaking of that Chrysler 300C SRT8, the Magnum of the same designation isnt all that different under the metal. Sure, its configuration is that of a sport wagon rather than a luxury sedan, but it feels much the same when on the straight, other than a slight improvement in high-speed aerodynamics with the Dodge, and an almost imperceptible difference in handling brought about by the Magnums heftier rear section. This is a small price to pay for the functionality of this car, which might be the only argument youve got left when trying to justify its purchase to your significant other.

Actually, heres a tip from a guy thats been there… when out on the test drive with your wife at your side and enthusiastic sales person in back, only feather the throttle slightly at takeoff. If you do, just touching it with the sole of your shoe, acceleration will be smooth and sedate, just the kind of experience your other half will appreciate. If, on the other hand, you get carried away with the 6.1-liter HEMIs 425-horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, youll never own this vehicle. Youll forever slap yourself silly with, “Why did I… what was I thinking… if only Id have…” and the likes, before sliding behind the wheel of your less functional front-wheel drive, V6-powered family sedan, or whatever your disappointed state of clouded depression leads you to purchase.

And if you just cant trust yourself, remember that forgiveness is easier to get than permission. “Hey honey, look what I bought!” Yes, its a foreboding thought, but she might just appreciate your good sense in purchasing a station wagon after laying tire tracks across whats left of your lifeless carcass. But believe me, itll be worth it.

I know, because I took to the Mont-Tremblant track, a course I know rather well, and by so doing experienced one of the worlds fastest sport wagons in action. The track is made up of a variety of curving esses, one set that even goes by that name, and three especially enjoyable straights. The Magnum SRT8 takes to the turns with surprisingly light feet, thanks to SRT-tuned dampers, specially designed spring rates and suspension bushings, plus large-diameter anti-sway bars and Goodyear F1 three-season tires with asymmetrical treads, 245/45/20 in the front, and 255/45/20 at the rear; although when the straights arrive its an otherworldly experience. The powertrain emits a rip-roaring growl during open throttle, immediately followed by acceleration only high-priced supercars can imitate. Its so fast down the front straight that I started to break out into giddy fits of uncontrollable schoolboy laughter, not a good idea at 130 mph.

That engine, incidentally, is one sophisticated piece of OHV technology, if these two terms can be used in the same sentence. After boring out the cylinder diameters by 0.138 inches apiece, the modified block is reinforced and coolant flow increased. A forged steel crankshaft gets integrated to minimize vibration, while stronger powder-metal connecting rods, capped off by oil squirter-cooled floating-pin pistons are attached. Underneath, a modified oil pan is said to reduce oil foaming.

To increase engine speed and effectively produce greater horsepower Dodges SRT techs modified the cams, upping revs by 15 percent to almost 6,200 rpm - the current 5.7-liter HEMI hits the limiter at 5,400 rpm. The engines hollowed-out valve stems also reduce drag due to their lighter weight. Interestingly, the empty cavities are then filled with sodium for dissipating heat more effectively.

To achieve better airflow the SRT engineers added new high-flow cylinder heads, with larger diameter valves combined with reshaped cylinder ports, plus a redesigned intake manifold featuring larger diameter runners for higher-speed tuning. The result of the SRT divisions work is a quicker turning, much more powerful engine featuring a compression ratio that increases from 9.6:1 to 10.3:1.

Capping it all off, exhaust headers are fitted that feature “individual tubes encased in a stainless steel shell”, allowing a freer flow of engine exhaust to leave the back of the car via new larger diameter 2.75-inch pipes, compared to the stock 2.5-inch tailpipes, finished off with two fat 3.5-inch chrome tips. Nice!

Easy to see with the hood open, new 6.1-liter V8 also gets a silver and red “HEMI 6.1L” appliqué added to each valve cover, while special orange paint coats the cylinder block, just like HEMIs of yore.

And incidentally, at 69.8-horsepower-per-liter the 6.1-liter HEMI delivers the highest specific-output of any engine ever sold by Chrysler Group, even more than the 1966 “Street HEMI”. All this equals zero to 100 km/h sprints around the five second mark.

Fortunately, its braking power is equally overwhelming, thanks to super-large 14.2 x 1.3 inch front, and 13.8 x 1.0 inch rear vented rotors, clamping down on bright red Brembo brake calipers. While your eyeballs might pop form their sockets as it stops from 60 mph in only 110 feet, youll be glad for brakes that allow its sheetmetal to remain intact when youre back home, staring longingly at its masculine shape as it sits in your driveway, and not at the body shop.

And I suppose thats what endears the Magnum SRT8 so thoroughly, at least to old boys who somehow never emotionally made it past grade school. Its the kind of car you drew on your notebook while you were supposed to be learning trig. The type of machine that you dreamed about owning one day, as you haplessly asked for the keys to moms woodgrain adorned Caprice Classic. That is, if your thoughts would have ever graced a wagon of any type. Now, however, wagons are cool, and the Magnum SRT8 is the poster child of the five-door generation, the automotive centerfold for an entire generation of speed-lusting teenagers, begging their dads to doff the Taurus and buck up for something thatll make them feel young again.

Can a car do that much, or is it merely marketing hype designed to lure you and your wallet into a Dodge dealership? Hmmm… youll have to be the judge of that. But remember, drive respectfully or, if you cant do that, go on your own.