I’ve noticed some new police cars the local county police have added to thier fleet. They are quite a bit shorter than the standard older Crown Vic’s and similar units. They kind of look look like muscle cars. I really haven’t wanted to stop and start quizzing a policeman about his ride, but I am curious.
dammit… beat to the punch
I read recently of a company that is producing a car specifically designed as a plice cruiser… don’t remember what it’s called though, and I don’t know whether they’re in production.
Ah. Here it is. Carbon Motors.
Chargers are probably the most popular alternative to the Crown Vic.
A lot of agencies are also using Dodge Magnums as well as Mustangs and Camaros. There are some real exotics out there too - the Iowa State Patrol has a Lamborghini Diablo. Odds are this was a drug seizure, rather than something they bought for the purpose. More and more local agencies are taking delight in using high-profile seized vehicles and labeling them like “This Escalade used to be belong to a drug dealer. Now it’s ours.”
Don’t hold your breath on Carbon - they seem to be in suspended animation while looking for funding, with production expected to start in 2012.
With the Dodge Charer info I found this. I never noticed it as a police car in the all black version. The one I saw the other day was a fully marked black and white.
Not around here. The Chevrolet Impala has all but overtaken the C. Vic, and only because there are older Vics on the road.
This reminds me of the Alabama State Patrol cars I used to see back in the 70s on my way to Panama City, Fl.
Not in production, and to the best of my knowledge, not fully funded to be in production. Carbon is still very much a concept, and they have some pretty fierce competition. Ford and Chevy both have a lot of skin in the game.
You’re probably aware that the Crown Vic is in its last model year. Chevy has introduced its Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) and Ford has its Police Interceptor, both new for model year '11. The Interceptor is based on the Taurus platform, but Ford is very much insisting that it’s a purpose built vehicle from the ground up. They don’t like any comparisons to the Taurus.
Both of these models are availabe in two basic packages. The Chevy in a V6 and V8 and the Ford in two levels of V6, the higher end being a turbocharged 3.5L with 365 hp. The Crown Vic is officially done, period. The days of the Impala as a patrol vehicle are arguably numbered.
Of course, any vehicle can be made into a patrol vehicle with a paint job and a shit-ton of electronics. The real question is which vehicles are most suited to the job.
Carbon argues that none of them are. They announced a partnership with BMW a couple months ago to provide them with 3L six cylinder clean diesel engines, which deviates from their former plans of a forced induction gasoline engine. BMW makes for a strong partner, but (again to the best of my knowledge) they aren’t investing. Carbon is still seeking investors to fund a $350 million dollar plant in Indiana.
Carbon is looking to change the game, but their business model is based on making a vehicle that will cost considerably more than standard cruisers. They claim that their vehicles will last for 240k miles (three times longer than a typical patrol vehicle) but at double or more the cost. They may be the next big thing, but they have a steep hill to climb in order to get there.
Yeah but for several years now departments around here have gone to the Chevy. One reason is the front wheel drive handles better in snow/rain than the rear wheel drive Vic. In warmer climates that really isn’t an issue.
That looks like the Cop Car in Transformers.
Interesting factor that I hadn’t considered. The CPPV is rear wheel drive. The Interceptor is available in FWD or AWD, though I’m not sure if AWD is available in the naturally aspirated V6 or the FWD in the turbo. I’m pretty sure the Impala Police Package is going away next year, so you may be seeing Ford back as the standard in your area.
I love the Crown Victoria. But even with good snow tires and a loaded trunk it can be a real bitch in snowy, icy conditions. Front wheel drive isn’t as good as AWD or 4 wheel drive, but it’s better than rear wheel drive on wet/icy surfaces IMHO.
The cop car in Transformers (“Barricade”) was a Saleen S281, a variation on a Ford Mustang.
I agree. I was just saying that as of next model year, Chevy will only offer rear wheel drive while Ford will offer front wheel and all wheel options for their police models. I’m just not sure if the drivetrain options Ford is offering are tied to the engine options.
How cool does a 365 hp turbocharged AWD sound, though?
I got pulled over by one of these Chargers a year or so ago down in or around Foley, AL on the way to the beach. As I drive a 300 SRT8 we talked shop for a bit and then he told me to have a good weekend. =)