Magnum SRT8

Make
Dodge
Segment
Wagon

You remember the Dodge Magnum. Like the Charger and Challenger, it revived an old Dodge muscle-car nameplate in 2004, but in station-wagon form. But despite its more muscular form, at the end of the day it was still just a station wagon, and after years of plummeting sales, Chrysler killed it off in 2008. What made it stand the test of time was what SRT did to it. Applying the same modifications it developed for the Charger and Chrysler 300, SRT turned it into one of the coolest wagons ever to roam the great American road.

Debuting in 2005, the Magnum SRT-8 packed a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 with 425 hp and all the other mods applied to Charger, including Brembo brakes, a firmer suspension, 20" wheels… only the rear suspension was different. It was awesome, but it sadly died together with the standard Magnum. But could SRT bring it back? Granted, we may be speculating here, but SRT released a retrospective on the Magnum SRT-8 just yesterday, recalling it fondly: "There still is a following for the Magnum," says SRT program manager Adam Forte. "If you go to SRT events especially on the West Coast, you'll see quite a few of them."

It might seem more likely for the Dodge brand to bring it back, if at all. Dodge was rumored to be considering it a few years ago, but that ended up being the new Durango SUV instead. Still, the idea of a stand-alone SRT model has enough merit to keep it from being ruled out altogether. After all, the Viper is a stand-alone SRT model, and the upcoming Barracuda is expected to be one also. Slot in the larger 6.4-liter Hemi from the Challenger SRT 392 or even the supercharged engine said to be in development and we could have one heck of a power wagon on our hands. But we have to admit this all may be a bout of wishful thinking, and nothing more.