You're driving down the road and you end up going a little bit too fast - but no worries, no cops are around. Right? You scan your mirrors and see the headlights of a Ford Crown Victoria - uh oh.
Turns out, they weren't a police officer. The Taurus and the Dodge Charger that pass by you in the left alone aren't either. Then you see it - a massive 2020 Ford Explorer, and you know you're about to get a speeding ticket.
The lineup of law enforcement vehicles has expanded and evolved in more ways than one. Not only are they using multiple models now in various counties and states, but the technology used within these police cruisers are getting more and more advanced.
Thanks to new contracts from local and state police departments, the 2020 Ford Explorer is now in control of law enforcement. Not to mention, the Interceptor Hybrid comes with incredible mileage - saving departments cash and being able to go on car chases for hours - sorry, criminals. And if you're worried about speed? Don't be. The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility is the fastest law enforcement vehicle - of all time.
Let's dive a little deeper into our first impression and specs of this new "Cop car"...
First Impression
The new Ford Police Interceptor kind of reminds us of a typical SUV. However, with a closer glance at this high-tech vehicle, we can see there is much more involved.
The platform used on this police vehicle is the D4, a platform that was developed to replace crossover SUVs, with the build being adaptable to many different kinds of wheelbase, with the suspension being upgraded to allow for off-roading.
The new Explorer combines the D4 with a modified Lincoln Aviator chassis, derived from the body-on-frame of the Ford U1 platform, complete with four-wheel suspension and a 113.7 inch wheelbase. The combination of these builds creates an off-roading beast with rear-wheel-drive construction and all-wheel drive technologies to help in any police pursuit.
Interior Impression
Despite the high-tech construction and the exterior reminding us of the Hulk, the interior is pretty bare - at least compared to the Explorer that is going to be mass-produced for the general public.
Instead of a center console shifter, the police interceptor uses a column-mounted location so that there can be additional room for technologies like laptops, tactical equipment, and police scanners.
However, despite this lack of interesting interior design, the front seats do get a bit of an upgrade. The seat construction was designed for added support and for police officer garb in mind, like the bulky belts they have to wear to hold all of their gear.
Performance Specs
Now we get to the good stuff. Besides looking massive, having a utilitarian interior that provides comfort for the officers, how does this baby really run? Let's check it out.
The new Interceptor has all heavy-duty equipment, complete with cop-spec tires, brakes, steering mechanisms, and suspension. For the first time in a Ford police vehicle, the Interceptor features a V6 hybrid powertrain that is offered alongside the natural version, saving departments some money and saving the environment - one cop car at a time.
Engine Specs
The base engine offered in this vehicle is a 3.3-liter Duratec V6, providing the boys in blue with 285 horsepower and 260 pounds per foot of torque for maximum power and acceleration. Further, the hybrid engine features 318 horsepower and 322 pounds per foot of torque - with the environmentally friendly design pushing out more power than the base level. The last option is the best, of course - a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, grinding out a staggering 400 horsepower and 415 pounds per foot of torque. Talk about performance.
Hybrid Specs
Similar to other hybrid vehicles on the market today, the electric motor can provide a quick punch and torque before the engine revs up, increasing performance, and most importantly, saving on gasoline due to all of the time that officers sit idle and wait for another call.
The new hybrid Police Interceptor can earn around 24 miles per gallon combined, showing a huge improvement in the previous police vehicle's returning only 17 miles per gallon on a combined cycle and consuming many more gallons over the same amount of mileage. With the hybrid model now available, the police force will be able to save around $1,029 per year on each hybrid vehicle.
The Bottom Line
So, what do we think about this new police vehicle?
Well, this is no budget car - but with the added benefits of the Interceptor, the return could prove to be well worth the price, even if the hybrid option is too expensive initially for many police forces.
With that said, the new Interceptor SUV will inspire confidence in the police force, better driving experience for the police officers, and provide them with tools to help the local communities.