This is probably what's known in the industry as proactive PR. And proactive policing. Over in the United States of America Ltd, law enforcement agencies have apparently been crying out for a wider variety of pursuit-rated vehicles. Goodness knows what miscreants across the Atlantic are getting up to, but evidently
the cop cars
on offer were not up to the task.
So Ford has made this: the F-150 Police Responder. To protect and serve and - we're assuming here - to intimidate all into never even stealing Twinkies from their cousins. Look at it! An F-150 is not a subtle pick up to begin with - name one that is - but in full police regalia it takes on a whole new level of menace.
It gets better, too; there's a minisite detailing the changes from the civilian F-150 to the cop car, but under fabulous titles like 'Powered to Pursue' 'On Duty. Even Off-Road.' and 'Internal Affairs' (that's about how big it is inside). It makes you proud to be an American law enforcement officer. Even when you're not.
Powered by the 3.5-litre Ecoboost V6, the Police Responder has 375hp and 470lb ft, reined in by brakes with upgraded calipers and pads. It has a payload capacity of more than 2,000lbs, can tow 7,000lbs and has space for six Dunkin Donuts lattes (two of those facts are true). It's also kitted out with a high-output alternator for extended idle times (at Dunkin Donuts or elsewhere) and even comes with slim seat bolsters (for officers wearing a duty belt) plus anti-stab plates in the back of those seats to prevent... well, that shouldn't need much explaining. And you thought they'd just put lights and stickers on it.
With the F-150 Police Responder now having passed its Michigan PD testing - which involves a 32-lap 'pursuit simulation' at Grattan Raceway, which must be absolutely no fun at all - it can be offered to police forces across the country. Expect it to be laying down the law from next spring. It's being introduced alongside the
Police Responder Hybrid Sedan
which, as well as sounding like something generic from GTA, seems essentially just a Mondeo that's more efficient than a Crown Vic was. Much like a Challenger Hellcat probably is too. Police forces of the USA: get F-150s!