2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 Photo Gallery

Rendered passé by the minivan 20 years ago (which in turn was overshadowed by the SUV), the station wagon is making a comeback, and sometimes they’re actually cool. But these days, when wagons slip into the marketplace, they do so under cover, with assumed names. They’re draped in plastic cladding, shod with four-wheel-drive, and wear tags like “crossover,” “sport tourer,” or “sport wagon.” Not the Dodge Magnum, which arrived on the scene with all the subtlety of a bullhorn at a Bach recital. The Magnum – especially the Hemi-powered RT version – quickly established itself as the macho alternative to run-of-the-mill family cars. Suddenly, “station wagon” isn’t a dirty word, and people – especially guys – are all ears. Now, with the introduction of the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8, wagons might actually inspire lust. Dodge’s resident Street and Racing Technology (SRT) gear heads breathed on the Magnum’s Hemi motor, resulting in 6.1 liters of displacement and 425 horsepower combined with 71 cubic feet of cargo space. A sticky suspension, big brakes, and meaty tires are also part of the package. Taking the Dodge Magnum’s blue collar, bad boy image, the blunt-faced SRT-8 gets a blackout, crosshair mesh grille framed by slash-cut headlamp covers and a deep chin spoiler.

Front Styling

Fenders flare over fat tires, giving the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 a wheel-focused, purposeful profile. Twenty-inch, forged and polished aluminum rims stuff the wheel wells, and the SRT-8 is slightly slammed, sitting about half an inch lower than other Magnums. With its high beltline and narrow greenhouse, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 has a chopped, custom look.

Rear Styling

Viewing the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 from the rear accentuates the car’s part wagon, part muscle car heritage. The roofline tapers down between slanting C- and D-pillars. A thin spoiler caps the liftgate, while twin, oversized exhaust tips poke out of the beefy bumper. A high, bodyside crease wraps around the tail, punctuated by broad, vertical tail lamps.

Big Motor

The star of the car is Dodge’s big bore Hemi V8. The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8’s 6.1-liter Hemi pumps out 425 hp at 6,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. Those are impressive numbers that spawn impressive numbers: 0-60 acceleration in 5.1 seconds, low 13’s for the quarter mile, and a top end near 170 mph. That kind of performance channels the fabled 426 Street Hemis in Dodge’s ancestral garage. Stand on the throttle and the 6.1 plays big-block blasts from muscle cars past – sounds sure to bring a tear to the eye of aging Mopar fans. Gas mileage is EPA-estimated at 14 city/20 highway, but it’s also estimated that few buyers will care.

Comfort

A pair of fine bucket seats highlight the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8’s interior. Thick side bolsters and suede, “butt sticker” inserts keep you planted during spirited driving sessions. Leather trim on the steering wheel, which is designed to resemble carbon fiber, gives good grip. Packaged options offer everything from heated seats to rear cargo organizers. Stand-alone options are few: Power sunroof, heated seats, side airbags, and Sirius satellite radio with Bluetooth cell phone interface.

Controls

Satin silver finish on the center stack is another Dodge Magnum SRT-8 exclusive. Controls are easy to find and simple to operate, though the Magnum SRT-8 shares the emerging DaimlerChrysler family trait of locating the cruise control and turn signal stalks too close together. It’s tough to hit one without the other. Redundant controls on the steering wheel help the driver make adjustments with minimal driving distractions.

Gauges

Inside the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8, the driver faces a quartet of deep, satin-ringed binnacles housing the main gauges. White-faced readouts include an unapologetic, 180-mph speedometer. The tach’s 6,250 rpm redline warns of the engine’s electronically-limited 6,400 rpm maximum speed.

Cargo Area

The 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8’s high fun-to-drive quotient belies its practicality. Cargo volume in back ranges from 27 cubic feet with the rear seat raised to 71 cubes with the back seat folded. A flat floor and low liftover height makes loading easy and there’s a covered storage space below. The Magnum SRT-8’s L-shaped liftgate swings high and out of the way for easy access, even in tight quarters.

Sporty Handling

Drive the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 and you discover a happy misunderstanding. The chassis doesn’t know it’s a station wagon. Instead, it thinks it’s a sport sedan. The rear-wheel-drive platform manages the beefy Hemi’s power output masterfully.

Stiff Ride

Grippy and stable at speed, the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 cuts corners nicely. One caveat is that the stiffer suspension telegraphs more road imperfections into the cabin than you will feel in other Magnums.

Brakes

Binders on the mega Magnum are reassuringly stout. Lurking behind the 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT-8’s five-spoke alloys are four-piston, Brembo calipers. Vented disc brakes measure 14.2-inches in front and 13.8-inches at the rear.