2012 Dodge Magnum

2012 Dodge Magnum

2012 Dodge Magnum

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office already gave us a very good idea of what to expect from the upcoming 2012 Dodge Durango/Magnum, but now Twitter has stepped up to the grainy, yet highly informative plate with an image from what appears to be the interior of a Chrysler plant.

The photo reveals the front three-quarters angle of a completely un-camouflaged Durango/Magnum, complete with blacked-out wheels and grille, hinting that this may have an appearance or performance package beyond the stock setup. But the really intriguing aspect isn't in the details: the overall shape and look of the new Magnum is, well, good.

That's a huge change from the current model, which looks a bit bloated and Ram-like. The new model is decidedly tighter, with sculpted curves and a front end that's vaguely Charger or Challenger-esque.

Beyond the looks, the new Magnum shares its platform with the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so it's almost assured to be a capable performer both on-road and off. Power will likewise be similar to the Jeep's, including the 3.6-liter V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI options--though the HEMI brand name is sure to make a front-line appearance with the Dodge.