 
"Excuse Me Officer, That
Thing Gotta HEMI?" By Keith
Burton - GCN
Here's your
update for those of you who think all police cars are Fords. Unlawful
drivers could soon face a Dodge Magnum grille in their rear view mirror.
Dodge is upping the ante in the law enforcement market with a new
rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum police car powered by the legendary HEMI V-8
engine.
With police requirements squarely on their
radar, Dodge engineers have created a specific law enforcement vehicle
built with law enforcement features and functionality into the
original design of the Dodge Magnum, minimizing the need for numerous
aftermarket retrofits.
"Dodge Magnum is bold, powerful and
capable," said
Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing. "Dodge Magnum offers
affordable performance to those who patrol and protect our
communities."
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 rear-wheel drive and HEMI power at
the pavement, the Dodge Magnum police unit will provide the optimum
performance option," said Ray Fisher, Vice President - Fleet and
Remarketing. "Dodge dominated the police car business throughout the
1960s, '70s and early '80s, and we're proud to continue our police car
heritage with even more performance technology."
In addition to the enhanced performance
and handling available with the Dodge Magnum, doughnut-eating cops will
like the interior with space to provide officers a balance of cargo room
and flexibility.
With 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat
(71.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded flat), the Dodge Magnum offers a
lot of 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 oversized 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 provides plenty of room for large items such as police
emergency equipment, duffel bags, dog crates,
traffic cones or barricades. Let alone room to throw a couple of perps in
the back.
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, which will be offered on
the Dodge Magnum model.
2006 Dodge Magnum Police Package
The 2006 Dodge Magnum will be available with a police package
in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The standard 3.5-liter High Output V-6
engine featured on the 2006 Dodge Magnum police package vehicle delivers
250 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. of torque for great police performance.
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 the ultimate in pursuit power, the
Dodge Magnum police package also will offer an optional 5.7-liter 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 smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder
mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.
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
world-class performance, power and handling.
The 2006 Dodge Magnum police package will
include the following specific police cruiser items: certified
speedometer, column shifter, emergency rear door lock override, heavy-duty
five-link suspension system, heavy-duty alternator, heavy-duty battery,
heavy-duty 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 the fourth quarter of 2005. Dodge says pricing will
be announced at that time.
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