New Ford police utility vehicle targets tech (photos)
Ford reveals its newest pursuit-rated vehicle: the company's first-ever specially designed Police Interceptor utility.
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The utility vehicle isn't the first Ford offering for police forces this year. A Police Interceptor sedan modeled after the Ford Taurus also made its debut earlier this year. The sedan will be a replacement for the venerable Crown Victoria-based car.
Both cars are scheduled to take to the streets next year.
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Police Interceptor sedan
The previously announced Police Interceptor sedan can be had with a 3.5-liter V-6 or Ford's EcoBoost direct-injection 3.5-liter V-6 with twin turbochargers. The EcoBoost engine makes 365 horsepower, and should propel the car to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. The nonturbo engine only makes 263 horsepower, but that's still more than the outgoing Crown Vic's 4.6-liter V-8.
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V-6 and rollover safety
The Explorer-based Police Interceptor utility vehicle gets Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 with twin variable camshaft timing, cranking out 280 horsepower and capable of running on E85 fuel. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. With four-wheel drive, the Interceptor utility vehicle is designed to handle off-road conditions and can carry 800 pounds in its cargo area.
To help prevent rollovers in the high-center-of-gravity Police Interceptor utility vehicle, Ford equips it with the AdvanceTrac control system. This system can reduce the vehicle speed by up to 10 mph in just 1 second when it senses an imminent rollover.
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20 percent more fuel efficiency
Ford says that both of the new Police Interceptors will deliver at least 20 percent more fuel efficiency than the 4.6-liter V-8 offered in the current Crown Victoria model, saving police departments nationwide much-needed money.
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Cooling power
The new Police Interceptor utility is built to withstand the punishing duties of day-to-day police work, with a water-cooled power transfer unit for the four-wheel-drive system, beefed up brakes with 18-inch vented wheels, a heavy duty alternator, and an extra-large radiator.
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Combination of both the sedan and utility
"The combination of both the sedan and utility versions of the Police Interceptor allows Ford to deliver a complete, diverse, and efficient solution to all of law enforcement's pursuit needs," said Ken Czubay, vice president of marketing, sales, and service at Ford. "These vehicles were developed step by step with our valuable Police Advisory Board, so we have had customer feedback throughout the development process and provided an efficient solution for fleet managers."
Like the Police Interceptor sedan, the utility vehicle is able to pass a 75 mph rear-end crash test.
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Ford Sync
As police departments increasingly adopt new technologies for communication, the vehicles have been designed to allow for customized add-ons, providing a flexible platform that can accommodate the adoption of future technologies.
Coming standard on these new Police Interceptor utility vehicles is Ford Sync, the in-car communications system developed by Ford and Microsoft, which is based on the Microsoft Auto platform.
The Bluetooth-connected hands-free information system provides officers the ability to operate their various communication and audio equipment with simple voice commands, and even receive text messages and have them read aloud.
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BLIS system
Along with the standard rear-facing cameras and sensing systems to allow for audible alerts when the vehicle is approaching an obstacle, customizations enable voice-controlled lights and sirens, with the intention of having officers' attention focused on driving instead of distractions.
Additional safety incorporated into the new Ford Police Interceptors includes BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), which uses two radar sensors on the rear quarter panels to detect vehicles in the surrounding lanes. Warning lights in the sideview mirrors alert the driver to vehicles in the driver's blind spot.
The new Police Interceptor utility vehicle gives police departments a vehicle that can not only patrol and pursue, but can also carry heavy equipment to crime scenes, or be used by rural police on back roads.
