Performance Review: Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 - [1979]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Magnum Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 and the 1980 Lotus Esprit S2.2 Turbo.This particular Dodge Magnum has a 5898cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Magnum shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Magnum's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1750 kgs (3858 lbs) this makes the Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Magnum shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 5898cc 16V V8 engine produces 198 bhp (147 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 2400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Magnum you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1992 Subaru Legacy Turbo Estate (138.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Magnum.

The Dodge Magnum has a Power to weight ratio of 113.1 bhp per ton and 160.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Magnum competing with the 1992 Subaru Legacy Turbo Estate (138.0 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Saab 900 2.0 Turbo 16v S (138.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Magnum generating around 160.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 BMW 3 Series M3 Coupe Frozen Edition E92 (185.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340 (185.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.2 secs, this made the Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 as fast as the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the or the 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam (9.90 secs). This Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 is also faster than the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the and the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Magnum and the 1971 Buick Riviera 7.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Magnum on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.06 secs @ 80.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1971 Buick Riviera 7.5 V8 (16.98 secs), the 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (16.98 secs), and the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (16.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1979 version of the Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 has a maximum speed of 111mph.

Top Speed of the 1979 Magnum equals the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 then how about the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph), the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V (122 mph), or the 1985 Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo (122 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Magnum Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison