2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8 Preview

No Wagon Comes Close

C'mon, admit it, you want one. Most guys I know have a thing for the new Dodge Magnum RT. It could be its menacing appearance,

Eric Ridenour, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President, Product Development, introduced the all-new 2006 Dodge Magnum SRT8, top, and the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on January 5th. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

the deep throated rumble emanating from the twin exhaust pipes, or its unrivaled family hauler performance capability. Finally a car that can out sport most sports cars, with the kids in tow and luggage for a weekend at the cottage aboard. How could it get any better?

Easy! Dodge has finally announced the performance upgrade that everyone knew was coming ever since the Magnum first showed up as a concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show two years ago, the Magnum SRT8.

Before that, the three letters, now synonymous with performance, were initially seen gracing the rear end of America's supercar,

Dodge is branding the Magnum with the SRT8 label, making it one of the world's fastest wagons in the process. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

the redesigned 2003 Viper SRT10. This was followed up by the hottest pocket rocket in the business, the 230-horsepower SRT4. Then the ludicrous 500-horsepower Ram SRT10 got the hypo treatment, making it the fastest pickup truck in the world. Even Chrysler got in on the game by supercharging its Crossfire to 330-horsepower and dubbing it SRT6, but it was the 425-horsepower 300C SRT8 that dyed in the wool car enthusiasts wanted most. There's a sleeper quality that comes with a stroked luxury sedan that makes dusting off sports cars all the more fun.