When Dodge involved the Street and Racing Technology to develop a version of the Magnum, the result was a modern muscle car that could roar and growl loud and proud on the streets.
In 2005, Dodge introduced the SRT8 version for the Magnum. It was the ultimate American sleeper since few expected a station-wagon to run the quarter-mile in the 13 seconds mark. Three years later, during the world financial crisis, Dodge upgraded the Magnum with a few exterior and interior details and a few extra ponies under the hood.

While the 2005 version didn’t look too dramatic, the 2008 model-year came with a different stance. At the front, it featured narrower headlights, which made the car looks mad. There was a new grille with the cross-hair theme and, on the hood, the carmaker installed a functional air-intake needed to get more air into the engine compartment. The massive, 20” light-alloy wheels stood apart from the rest of the range with their unique design.

Inside, the designers installed more carbon-trims on the dashboard, center console, and doors. A carbon-fiber leather-trim steering wheel was added to enhance the overall interior look. As with any other SRT vehicle, the Magnum SRT8 featured high high-bolstered seats at the front and a split-folding bench in the rear.

The SRT department had to work more than the designers and improved the engine and the suspension. Under the hood, it was the same 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine, but with seven hp more. The suspension featured Bilstein dampers in all corners. Power went to the rear wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission carried over from the Mercedes-Benz.

If someone would have dared to make a muscle-car station wagon, then Dodge would have been the best choice.
Since it already had the platform from the Chrysler 300 fit to receive the 6.1-liter Hemi engine, Dodge installed it into the Magnum station wagon body. In 2005, it was part of the Dodge stand at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. The regular Magnum look was improved with larger vents in the front bumper and 20” light-alloy-wheels. Maybe the 255/45ZR20 tire will not be very visible at a first glance, but still, they are fat.

The most important feature of the 2005 Magnum SRT8 is definitely under the hood, where 425 hp and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque are waiting to smoke the rear tires. The 5-speed automatic transmission came from Mercedes-Benz, which was the owner of Chrysler Group when the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum were designed. The 0 to 60 mph (0-96 kph) acceleration time was 5.4 seconds and the top speed was 274 kph (170 mph).

Inside the 5 meter (16.5 ft) long station wagon, there is more than enough room for five, since its 3.05 meter (120 in) wheelbase is even bigger than that of a Cadillac Escalade from the time. To properly stop the car, Dodge introduced specially designed Brembo brakes with 360 mm (14.2”) vented discs on the front and 350 mm (13.8”) in the rear.