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Dodge to Offer HEMI Power in Police Car Market

Unlawful drivers will soon face a Dodge Magnum grille in their rear view mirror, along with a HEMI under the hood. Dodge is upping the ante in the law enforcement market with a new rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum police car powered by the HEMI V-8 engine.

by Staff
June 28, 2004
3 min to read


Unlawful drivers will soon face a Dodge Magnum grille in their rear view mirror, along with a HEMI under the hood. Dodge is upping the ante in the law enforcement market with a new rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum police car powered by the HEMI V-8 engine. With police requirements squarely on their radar, Dodge engineers integrated specific law enforcement vehicle features and functionality into the original design of the Dodge Magnum, minimizing the need for aftermarket retrofits. Electronic Stability Program (ESP), all-speed traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes with emergency brake assist, and improved tire design are standard equipment on the Dodge Magnum SXT for special service uses (as they are on all Magnum SXT models). Combined, these features provide balance and control for officers in a variety of surface and weather conditions. These same advanced technologies also are standard on the 2006 Dodge Magnum police package models. With 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat (71.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded flat), the Dodge Magnum offers maximum functionality for law enforcement needs. The rear cargo area features an upper flat-load floor that expands the usable cargo area when the rear seats are folded forward. Additional storage is provided for smaller items below this load floor and in deep pockets on either side of the floor. The Dodge Magnum's liftgate creates an unusually large cargo opening by allowing the gate to swing up rather than out from the vehicle. The 11.3 square foot opening swallows large items such as police emergency equipment, duffel bags, dog crates, traffic cones, or barricades. The 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT model will be available this fall to law enforcement agencies for special service use. For 2006, Dodge will introduce a police package, offered on the Dodge Magnum model. 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT specs: The 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that provides high power and torque over the entire operating band for a blend of performance and economy. Combined with flexible cargo space and safety features, the Dodge Magnum SXT provides a capable entry into the law enforcement Special Services car market. The 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT for special service use will be manufactured at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and will be available to county, city, and state police departments in the fall of 2004. Pricing will be announced at a later date. 2006 Dodge Magnum Police Package specs: The 2006 Dodge Magnum will be available with a police package in the fourth quarter of 2005. The standard 3.5L high output V-6 engine featured on the 2006 Dodge Magnum police package vehicle delivers 250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque. A five-speed fully electronic transmission with steering column shifter, 18-inch V-rated tires and steel wheels, heavy-duty police brakes and linings, and heavy-duty suspension will be included as standard equipment with the police package models. For greater pursuit power, the Dodge Magnum police package also will offer an optional 5.7L HEMI V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation that produces 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Chrysler Group's multiple displacement system (MDS) seamlessly alternates between high fuel economy, four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is demanded. Fuel efficiency is improved by up to 20 percent with cylinder deactivation, but not at the expense of performance. The HEMI powertrain, mated to a fully electronic five-speed automatic transmission and high-performance suspension, will give officers in pursuit situations a balance of performance, power, and handling. The 2006 Dodge Magnum police package will include the following specific package items: certified speedometer, column shifter, emergency rear door lock override, heavy-duty five-link suspension system, heavy-duty alternator, battery, and brakes, inoperable rear door locks and rear windows, and special police electrical wiring. Optional equipment includes: daytime running lamps, dual spot lamp, police-type heavy-duty front seats with manual lumbar adjustment, and full-size spare tire. The 2006 Dodge Magnum police package will begin production in fourth quarter 2005. Pricing will be announced at that time.

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