2005 Dodge Magnum RT Road Trip

If you've never driven one of Chrysler Group's new 5.7 liter HEMI V8s, well I

The RT waits patiently at a stoplight in front of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, its 5.7 liter HEMI V8 rumbling. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

have to say you're truly missing out. Sure there are more fuel efficient 4- and 6-cylinder engines around, 2.7 and 3.5 liter examples that Dodge offers as base and optional equipment in this very car, actually. It's important to note that this particular V8, sporting 340-horsepower and an intimidating 390 lb-ft of torque, integrates a very sophisticated cylinder deactivation system dubbed MDS, for multi-displacement system, which actually shuts down four of its eight cylinders when under light loads. What I mean by loads is, when not carrying a lot of heavy cargo or towing, and also when not goosing the throttle. So, when driving on the highway and maintaining a constant speed somewhere near the limit you can expect to save up to 20

The Magnum looks most reverent passing by the Salt Lake Temple in the background and South Visitors' Center in the foreground. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

percent over what the 5.7 V8 would normally get without the MDS system.

Dodge mated the ballsy engine to a velvety smooth transmission, derived from the Mercedes-Benz 5-speed that still powers many five-pointed star cars. It puts the Magnum in a class of very few V8 powered cars, and one of few in the mid-$30s price range. It's perfectly mated to the HEMI, producing close to seamless shift intervals up and down the gearbox. The transmission includes AutoStick, which is not unlike other brand's sequential manual mode systems other than the need to shift sideways rather than back and forth, but once you get used to that it comes quite naturally. While I left in Drive around town, I really like the manual mode for coursing through mountain roadways, something that would be ideal for Utah.