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As expected, Chrysler Group is about to start pushing police packages for its Dodge Magnum wagon, and eventually the Charger sedan.

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. The Dodge Magnum SXT features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine; but in 2006, the Dodge Magnum Police Package will be available with the standard 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine, as well as 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) will help to improve fuel economy on Hemi cop cars by up to 20 percent with cylinder deactivation.

The police-car market is ripe for picking because of negative publicity surrounding the aging Ford Crown Victoria, which holds about 80 percent of the market. The Chrysler vehicles, though, will have to work for it. Some law enforcement agencies have already abandoned Crown Vics because of incidents of cops dying after their pursuit vehicles were hit from behind causing the rear-mounted gas tank to puncture and catch fire. But many agencies still prefer the body-on-frame Crown Vics because of their toughness and ease of repair and maintenance.

Dodge is hoping lure police departments with HEMI power and fuel economy benefits of Chrysler's displacement on demand technology that allows the car to shuttle between eight cylinders and four depending on need. The Dodge Magnum, though, will have to prove itself on durability and cost-effective repair.

"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."

 

Semi-on topic, I saw a police chase yesterday on the news (somewhere in CA), and to my surprise, the guys the police were chasing, were drving a Dodge Magnum.

Anyone else see it?

 

no that was an impala

 

Was this the one where the guy runs into the house at the end? Looked like one to me, but was black, and I thought it was a wagon.

 

Brad, do you receive the thecarconnection.com's daily news letter?

 

Was this the one where the guy runs into the house at the end? Looked like one to me, but was black, and I thought it was a wagon. [/b][/quote]
I didn't see it, but I've heard a ton of guys say, "I saw some dude runnin from the cops in a Magnum" so ya it was a magnum.

 

Any confirmation on what the magnum will look like? I think we're also basically sure it won't look like the concept.

Also, a Magnum police wagon would be pretty sweet. get taken to jail in style

 

yeah im thinking of a different one that same day in cali lol.... GOT TO LOVE L.A.!!!

there was another one in a impala... the news people were impressed with the guys rims becuase after 4 tire blow outs he was still going and the rims didnt brake....

PIMPiN 20s!

 

Yeah, basically all the squads in my city have Impalas right now, only a few Vics left. But do we really want to see Chargers with HEMIs prowling the streets? I'd like to have a little edge over the guys in blue

Be interesting to see if Chrysler can wrestle the majority of departments away from Ford...

 

Anyone have any article about Charger (how it will look like, when it is coming out ...)?

 

My friends who work at the chrysler plant have seen one of the preproduction models, they have describled it to me. I doubt they would risk their careers to snap a picture. The car is an '06 model and it debuts at 2005 NAIAS I believe.

From what I heard, it does not look anything like the 1999 Concept car, it does have some small retro touches but it not by any means a throwback to the classic 68-70 cars. It is a 4-door.

I could tell more details, but I am sworn to secrecy