Friday 18th October 2013

Ford Interceptor is America's quickest police car

Ford proves Sheriff John T's 'running from the law is an exercise in futility' true

---

In the UK, we receive information on awards such as tow car of the year and fuel economy records. In America, the police are conducting tests to present the title of 'best-in-class overall acceleration pursuit vehicle'.

That's right, the Michigan State law enforcers have pitched its prospective police vehicles through the road test mill in proper Autocar style to discover which is best suited to its needs. Having won the test, Ford is keen to publicise the results.

Its 4WD Interceptor Ecoboost V6 proved faster to 60mph (5.66 seconds) and 100mph (13.5 seconds) than its rivals, the Dodge Charger and Chevy Caprice. The 4WD 5.7 Hemi Dodge clocked 6.04 seconds and 14.70, the 6.0-litre Caprice 6.01 and 14.35 seconds.

Ford also wheeled out its Interceptor Utility at the Michigan test, again equipped with the 3.5-litre engine. Its victim? The Chevrolet Tahoe V8. Whilst the Ford shot away to 60mph in 6.28 seconds and 100mph in 15.51, the Tahoe was left trailing with 8.22 and 21.95 seconds respectively.

We'll allow Ford's chief engineer Bill Gubling to explain the logic here. "These tests... are an important validation of outright acceleration - the most critical measure of police pursuit vehicles."

So yes, figuring cars is all about public safety really; apparently police agencies tell Ford 'the bad guys' are less likely to run if the car closes swiftly in pursuit. Gubling again. "If this can help reduce the number of high-speed chases, then we could improve public safety on our nation's roads." You can't say fairer than that!

[renaultgeek]

America, where turning isn't an issue.

[Prev]

Thats all well and good, but that mean's nothing without a lap time of the ring and a made up new record for lapping the ring, until then, Ford can GTFO...

Edited by Prev on Friday 18th October 13:53

[graham22]

'I'm in hawt puursuit of them Duke booys...'


Not quite the 3 box saloons you'd normally expect.

[williamp]

Why hot-diggity I do declare...

Shame it isnt a jensen interceptor...

[anonymous-user]

I was expecting a fuzz-spec crown vic!

[odyssey2200]

"It's got a cop motor, a 440-cubic-inch plant. It's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a model made with catalytic converters so it'll keep the greenies happy."

[anything fast]

I am sure I have seen Camaro Z28's, Corvette's and Mustang V8's (all new ones) used as cops cars and they are all much faster.. so whats the fuss about?

[Shurv]

God bless America. So much better than our apologetic lot who wobble on endlessly about economy, emissions and value. We need a leaf from their book I think. Think motorway patrols ( remember them?) in highly tuned V8 supercharged Rangies with huge wheels, bonnet bulges and big lights.

[flange.]

Last of the V8 interceptors?

[300bhp/ton]

renaultgeek said:

America, where turning isn't an issue.

Another who has never been to the US?

[vz-r_dave]

renaultgeek said:

America, where turning isn't an issue.

I'll bite because I am bored, check out the new Ring time for the new camaro and tell me turning isn't an issue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj1h75vA1Jw&fea...

[Impasse]

I thought they just shot out the tyres tires of the (alleged) perp veehikule?

Have a nice day, y'all.

[GS88]

I really like that new Chevy Caprice - the one that's only sold to law enforcement.

[mylesmcd]

I drove an F150 with the same engine a few months back and I have to say, 3rd gear wheel spins on an Italian roundabout in the dry are hilarious.......if I owned the truck!

[gumsie]

The germans need to do the same test with the Cayenne, G-AMG and X5/6M.

[Ocellia]

"less likely to run if the car closes swiftly in pursuit"
Oh, yes! Hoods are logical like that
"It's a fair cop, guv'" went out with Dixon of Dock green.
It'd be better if they made the car resistant to armour-piercing ammo, that is every American's RIGHT to own (for personal defence/resist British Invasion...)
More guns than people, remember!

Besides, all those Car chase TV programmes rely on pics from helicopters of a string of cop-cars after a slaloming hot rod!

[k-ink]

If acceleration is important why use a big fat off road lump in the first place? Get a proper fast car!

[odyssey2200]

k-ink said:

If acceleration is important why use a big fat off road lump in the first place? Get a proper fast car!

I used to drive a stretched Ford Excursion limo with a Triton V10.
There wasn't much that would see it off the lights

[QuattroDave]

odyssey2200 said:

I used to drive a stretched Ford Excursion limo with a Triton V10.
There wasn't much that would see it off the lights

Really, I had quite the opposite experience in what is still to this day the biggest car, scrub that lorry, I've ever driven! Mine too was a V10, the 6.8 I think and all that happened when you planted the go pedal was an almighty V10 rumble and a fuel gauge that was dropping faster than the car was accelerating!

Edited by QuattroDave on Friday 18th October 15:16

[Dave Hedgehog]

renaultgeek said:

America, where turning isn't an issue.

but corners are