All-new 2006 Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum Police Vehicles Excel at Michigan State Police Performance Requirements; Dodge Announces Pricing

The Michigan State Police laid down the law, and the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum police vehicles were more than equal to the challenge.  The department announced preliminary results of its 2006 model year Police Vehicle Evaluation Program, which includes a series of grueling on-road tests that evaluate acceleration, top speed, braking and vehicle dynamics.  The test results are viewed by police departments throughout the country before they order new fleet vehicles.  

"We are extremely proud that the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum police vehicles met and often exceeded requirements of the Michigan State Police," said Steven Landry, Vice President, Dodge Marketing.  "These bold, powerful and capable vehicles are more than ready to help police officers go get the bad guys."

Dodge announced the U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Charger police vehicle is $26,575, and the MSRP for the Dodge Magnum police vehicle is $28,275 (including $675 destination charge) when equipped with the 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine.

U.S. MSRP for the Dodge Charger police vehicle with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is $28,805, and the MSRP for the 2006 Dodge Magnum police vehicle with the HEMI engine is $30,505.  Both prices include a destination charge of $675.

Highlights from the September 2005 Michigan State Police evaluation program included the following preliminary results:

• Top Speed:  Dodge Charger 5.7-liter HEMI posted best-in-class top speed of over 145 mph
• Acceleration:  Dodge Charger 5.7-liter HEMI and Dodge Magnum 5.7-liter HEMI posted first and second place in acceleration times (0 - 100 mph in 16.24 seconds and 16.49 seconds, respectively)
• Vehicle Dynamics:  Dodge Charger 5.7-liter HEMI and Dodge Magnum 5.7-liter HEMI posted first and second place in vehicle dynamics testing (average lap times of 1:37.96 and 1:38.26, respectively)
• Braking:  Dodge Magnum 3.5-liter V-6 and Dodge Charger 3.5-liter V-6 posted first and second place in braking distance (60 mph - 0  in 128.1 feet and 130.1 feet, respectively)

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine in the Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum police vehicles produces 340 horsepower (254 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (525 N·m) at 4,000 rpm.  The V-8 HEMI engine features Chrysler Group's fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is required.  Fuel efficiency improves by as much as 20 percent with MDS, but not at the expense of performance. 

The powerful, 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine provides 250 horsepower (186 kW) at 6400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (340 N·­m) at 3800 rpm, offering an outstanding blend of performance and fuel economy.

Both engines available on the Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum police vehicles are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, which uses highly advanced electronic shift controls for a responsive, smooth feel without harshness.  This transmission features Chrysler Group's AutoStick®, which offers the choice of a fully automatic or manually selected gear range.  This transmission also is equipped with an Electronically Modulated Converter Clutch (EMCC), which controls torque converter clutch slippage and provides improved shift feel to match a variety of driving styles, situations and road conditions.  Heavy-duty four-wheel disc brakes and linings, also standard on all Dodge police vehicles, provide secure and stable deceleration and braking capability.

The 2006 Dodge Charger and Magnum police vehicles began production in September, 2005 at Chrysler Group's Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plant alongside the award-winning Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum vehicles.

Police Vehicle Features

All-new 2006 Dodge Charger and Magnum police vehicles are armed with modern muscle and superior rear-wheel-drive performance technologies offering the best in balance and control.  All Dodge police vehicles are fortified with the latest advanced systems including:  all-speed Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Brake Assist and four-wheel Anti-lock Disc Brake System (ABS). 

Additional features of particular importance to law enforcement customers include the following:

Standard Equipment

• 160-mph or 260-km/h (certified) calibrated speedometer
• 18x7.5-inch steel wheels
• AM/FM stereo radio with CD player, changer controls, four speakers, and clock
• Heavy-duty cloth front bucket seats with manual lumbar adjustments
• Heavy-duty cloth rear fixed bench seat (Charger) and vinyl folding rear seat (Magnum)
• Column shifter
• Easy-path wiring grommet between underhood and passenger compartments
• External oil coolers: engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid
• Five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and AutoStick
• Four-wheel independent performance suspension
• P225/60R18 BSW V-rated performance tires
• Police equipment mounting bracket
• Rear trunk-lid key lock cylinder
• Separate key and key fob
• Severe-duty cooling system

Standard Electrical Equipment

• 160-amp high-output alternator
• 100-amp battery feed located in center instrument panel stack consisting of three 20-amp-fused battery feeds and three 20-amp-fused ignition feeds
• 800 CCA battery
• Dome lamp door switch deactivated
• Dual spot lamp Prep Package
• Integrated engine hour meter
• Police equipment interface module
• Security alarm system
• Separate fuses for left and right battery-fed spot lamps
• Software-controlled alternating head- and taillamps (wigwag)
• Stealth mode switch (turns off instrument cluster and radio indicators, PRNDL dims to lowest legal limit)
• Three pairs of twisted 18-gauge wiring for sirens, speakers, or controls provided from interior to front bumper
• Underhood lamp

Optional Equipment

• 18-inch bolt-on wheel covers
• 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
• Engine Block Heater
• Easy-clean black vinyl floor covering
• Deactivated rear inside door locks and handles, inoperable rear windows and emergency rear door lock override
• Entire fleet keyed alike (without alarm)
• Front door body-side molding delete
• Full-size spare tire and wheel with battery cover and cargo compartment floor ma
• Fixed vinyl rear bench seat  (Charger)
• Independently switched white and LED red dome lamp
• Power eight-way driver’s seat
• Spot lamp driver’s side or dual (Black or Chrome finish)
• Supplemental side-curtain air bags, front and rear outboard seats
• Switchable daytime running lamps (U.S. market only)

Police Car Heritage

The former Chrysler Corporation dominated the police car business throughout the 1960s, ‘70s and early ‘80s, with U.S. market shares ranging from 45-60 percent.  Police vehicles manufactured by the former Chrysler Corporation included the Dodge Monaco, Dodge Royal Monaco, Dodge Coronet, Dodge Diplomat, Dodge Dart, Dodge St. Regis, Plymouth Fury, Plymouth Gran Fury, Plymouth Volare and Chrysler Newport.

Recently, Dodge returned to the police car market after a 12-year hiatus with the 2002 Dodge Intrepid.  The front-wheel drive Dodge Intrepid earned a 4 percent share of the approximately 70,000 unit U.S. market.  That vehicle was phased out of production in 2003.

In the fall of 2004, Dodge previewed the 2006 Dodge Magnum as a police vehicle offering enhanced rear-wheel-drive performance and handling with a spacious, flexible interior for police special service uses.