- Ford’s new Police Interceptor 'utility' is designed to complement the sedan introduced earlier this
year and give North American law enforcement agencies a comprehensive choice for pursuit vehicles
- The purpose-built sedan and utility Police Interceptors will deliver at least 20 per cent better
fuel economy than the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
- Ford’s 'utility' and sedan Police Interceptors will debut simultaneously when production of the Ford
Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ceases in late 2011
Ford Motor Company has revealed its newest North American pursuit-rated vehicle – Ford’s first-ever
specially designed Police Interceptor 'utility' (wagon) built for the rigours of police work.
The new vehicle is designed to complement Ford’s all-new Police Interceptor sedan, which was
introduced earlier this year. Combined, the two vehicles provide law enforcement agencies the ultimate
in versatility and choice, something no other police vehicle on the road today can match.
“We understand today’s police departments require adaptability,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s
president of The Americas. “Ford is committed to remaining the nation’s largest provider of police
vehicles, and we’re offering law enforcement officials a complete portfolio of options that are
purpose-built, capable and delivered with the safety, technology and performance they need to excel at
their jobs.”
Ford, the police vehicle market leader for 15 years, developed both Police Interceptors to allow
departments to maximise versatility without sacrificing quality. Both vehicles will debut simultaneously
and be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends
in late 2011.
Meeting a spectrum of needs
With the introduction of its newest Police Interceptor, Ford now provides a complete package of
performance and capability designed to meet the diverse and ever-increasing needs of law enforcement
agencies across the U.S.
Ford’s new Police Interceptor utility vehicle is equipped with the highly efficient 3.5-litre V6
engine. This Ti-VCT engine, delivering at least 280 horsepower and E85 compatibility, is matched to a
unique six-speed automatic transmission that combines lowered initial gears for improved off-the-line
acceleration and higher gearing for improved efficiency at lower engine rpm when cruising. Two
drivetrain options are available, providing off-road capability teamed with a multipurpose cargo area
specially calibrated for loads up to 800 pounds.
Both the sedan and utility are rated for the severe-duty cycle that police professionals undertake
on a daily basis and will deliver at least 20 per cent more fuel efficiency than the 4.6-litre single
overhead cam (SOHC) V8 offered in the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
Police input key to development
When developing the next-generation Police Interceptors, Ford worked with its Police Advisory Board
of law enforcement professionals to provide input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance,
durability, driver convenience and comfort.
“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 enforcements’ pursuit needs,” said
Ken Czubay, vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service. “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.”
Keeping it safe
Like the sedan, the utility version of the Police Interceptor puts a priority on safety. Continuing
Ford’s safety leadership includes engineering both Police Interceptors to pass 75-mph rear-end crash
testing. Currently, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the only pursuit sedan to meet this test.
The Police Interceptor utility vehicle features Ford’s exclusive Safety Canopy® side-curtain airbag
rollover protection system that helps protect occupants in both rollover and side-impact crashes. The
multiple side-curtain airbags use Ford’s unique roll-fold technology to help position them between the
occupant and the side window.
Staying in control
Unique to the utility vehicle is Ford’s state-of-the-art curve control technology, designed to help
drivers maintain control of their vehicles when taking curves at high speeds. Curve control senses when
a vehicle is entering a curve too quickly, and can apply four-wheel smart braking to reduce vehicle
speed by up to 10 mph in approximately one second and help drivers follow their intended path.
Rigorously tested, police-tuned
Just like its sedan partner, Ford’s Police Interceptor utility vehicle has been put through its
paces, undergoing a battery of torture tests to ensure its individual components can hold up to rigorous
driving. Certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s
Department proved the durability and capability of the vehicle through a variety of punishing tracks.
To make sure the utility vehicle can take the heat – quite literally – the AWD drivetrain is equipped
with a water-cooled power transfer unit that guarantees capability in all conditions. Across the board,
brakes have been increased in size and performance, and the cooling package features a heavy-duty
alternator and larger radiator. Standard 18-inch wheels are vented, designed to work in concert with
the enhanced brake system.
Even so, the utility vehicle is light, precise and easy to handle. “Officers won’t need any
special training to drive this,” said Carl Widmann, vehicle engineering manager. “The advanced
technologies and similar driving dynamics of Ford’s new Police Interceptors provide officers the
flexibility, convenience and ease of driving utility or sedan police vehicles.”
Functional, inside and out
Inside, the functionality continues, with the vehicle’s interior package uniquely designed for the
needs of police, maximising officer comfort and cargo capacity. The front seats are designed with a
lower bolster to accommodate utility belts, and just like the sedan, Ford’s Police Interceptor utility
offers a column shift, designed to leave the console area free for the ever-increasing amounts of
equipment necessary for officers to do their jobs.
The second row features a vinyl, easy-to-clean bench seat that folds flat for versatility. Because
police require a lot of gear, additional space in the utility provides plenty of room for K-9 officers
and SWAT operations, including room for the full-size spare tyre to be stored safely under the cargo
area.
The new utility vehicle also features:
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