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Ford Heralds Police Interceptor Performance Against Competition

While Ford heralds its Police Interceptor performance against the competition from Dodge and Chevrolet, criminals everywhere are gnashing their teeth (as are the lawyers who fear the liability caused by high-speed police chases). Ford's replacement for the ubiquitous Crown Victoria is racking up the performance numbers police officers like to see in their mobile offices.

Ford Police Intercept – Just the Facts Ma'am

Ford’s Police Interceptor AWD sedan, equipped with the 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine, delivered a 0-60 mph test of 5.8 seconds and the fastest lap time – trumping all V8 competition from the Chevrolet Caprice and Dodge Charger at performance testing conducted by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 is a twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine that will deliver at least 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range.

The defining element of the test is the fact that Ford accomplished its high speed and gobs of power with a V-6. The smaller – yet powerful – engine delivers at least 20 percent better fuel economy than the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Granted, cop cars get lousy fuel economy but the lousy numbers will drop by 20 percent.

One thing cops lament is the loss of rear-wheel drive but you have to believe all-wheel drive is the way to go – especially with the 20 percent fuel improvement. Police agencies can now select from a combination of two body styles, AWD or FWD, and multiple powertrains delivering at least 20 percent more fuel efficiency than the 4.6-liter single-overhead-cam (SOHC) V8 offered in the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Both Ford Police Interceptors debut after production of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends at the end of 2011. Production will be in Chicago.

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