Dodge · 1978–2008

Dodge Magnum

The Dodge Magnum nameplate was used by Dodge for various models for various time periods and markets — beginning with a large Chrysler B platform 2-door coupe from 1978-1979 in the United States and Canada. For model years 2005-2008, the Magnum was a station wagon on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform, manufactured in Canada and marketed 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 M-body (American Dodge Diplomat/Plymouth Gran Fury). From 1983 to 1988 Dodge marketed a sporty two-door K-car as the "Magnum", with an available turbocharger engine from 1984 on.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Dodge Charger · Successor: Dodge Mirada

All Dodge Magnum data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

US and Canada (1978–1979)

The Magnum was introduced for 1978 to supplement the Dodge Charger. It was sold in two forms, the "XE" and the "GT" and was the last vehicle to use the long running Chrysler B platform. The appearance was somewhat of a rounded off Charger, and was in response to getting a car that would be eligible for NASCAR that would be more aerodynamic, something that the 1975–1978 Charger was not. Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. The Magnum was well-featured with power steering, brakes and seats; the suspension included Chrysler's standard adjustable, longitudinal torsion bars, lower trailing links, and front and rear anti-sway bars. The base engine was the 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with Lean-Burn, while two and four-barrel carbureted 360 cu in (5.9 L) and 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8s were optional; weight was nearly 3,900 lb (1,800 kg). 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 engine producing 195 hp (145 kW)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 Magnu

Brazil (1979–1981)

From 1969 until 1981 the Dodge Dart was produced in the old Simca Factory in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil. More than 92,000 cars were sold in this period. 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 coupé 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. The Dodge was well received in Brazil. The coupe and sedan models in Brazil were (all variations from the Dart 1968 model): Dart [1969–1981] (as a 2-door coupé 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 Coupé (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] (coupé bodywork only, from 1971 to 1980 it was the top model in the sport segment), LeBaron (replacing the 'Gran Sedan' with four-door sedan body, from 1979 to 1981) and Magnum (replacement for the Dart Gran Coupé, Brazil's top model in the luxury segment from 1979 to 1981).

Mexico (1981–1988)

=== 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 Carter ThermoQuad four barrel (four-choke) carburetor), Mopar oil cooler, a 3-speed A727 automatic transmission (A833 4-speed manual optional), heavy-duty suspension, power brakes, stabilizer bars in the front and rear and a Dana 44 differential with positive pass and posi-traction. All of the window trim was flat black; with only the bumpers and the grille chromed. Both the front fascia and the front fenders wore "Magnum" lettering, with a 5.9 L decal on the fenders as well. The Mexican Dodge Magnum was offered only for the 1981–1982 model years. Second generation. 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

Chrysler LX platform (2005–2008)

=== US and Canada === The Magnum name was revived in 2004 for the 2005 model year, as a station wagon based on the Chrysler LX platform. The Magnum had four engine options; the SE features the 190 hp (142 kW) 2.72 L LH V6, the SXT had the 250 hp (190 kW) 3.5 L V6, and the RT had the new 340 hp (254 kW) 5.7 L Hemi V8. The SRT8 has a 425 hp (317 kW) 6.1 L Hemi engine. All-wheel drive became an option in 2005 on SXT and RT models. The SRT8, AWD SXT, and the RT use a Mercedes-Benz-derived 5-speed automatic transmission, while all other models use a four-speed automatic. The Magnum was manufactured at the Brampton Assembly Plant, near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from 2004 to 2008. 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 shared by then-partner, Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes also confirmed that several individual components of the car are derived from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) and S-Class of the era, including: 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-derived laser key ignition system in place of the tr

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 September 28, 2008. The Dodge Magnum (along with the short-wheelbase Dodge Caravan) has been replaced by the Dodge Journey. Total U.S. sales.

Front end conversion

Because a variant of the Magnum was marketed as the Chrysler 300, the Dodge front end can be replaced by the front styling of the 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 with little to no custom fabrication. It's also possible to swap on the Charger's front fascia, but doing so is generally a more involved process. While the Magnum front fascia can be swapped with that of the Dodge Challenger, it is not a direct bolt-on swap, despite the cars sharing the same platform.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Dodge Magnum
Production: 1978–1979, 1979–1981, 1981–1988, 2005–2008
Model years: 1978–1979, 1979–1981, 1981–1988, 2005–2008
Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation (1978–1988), DaimlerChrysler (2005–2007), Chrysler LLC (2007–2008)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234289CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_MagnumCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375062510 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dodge_Magnum_XE_1979.jpgPublic domain · Photo: GeoffreyXE at English Wikipedia / · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.