Chicago Places Order For 500 New Ford Police Interceptors

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 08:19 AM

City of Chicago Places Order for 500 Next-Generation Ford Police Interceptors

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DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

* The city of Chicago will buy 500 Ford Police Interceptor sedans and utility vehicles, the largest commitment to date for the all-new vehicle.
* Production of Police Interceptors added 230 jobs at the Torrence Avenue plant; additional manufacturing and support jobs are expected.
* Ford's all-new, purpose-built Police Interceptor began rolling off the line at Chicago Assembly in January, building on 15 years of leadership in law enforcement vehicles.
* Ford's Police Interceptor vehicles can save law enforcement agencies across the country millions of dollars a year in fuel costs

Ford is off to a strong start as the next-generation vehicle of choice by law enforcement agencies across the country.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today the city will buy 500 Police Interceptor sedans and utility vehicles, the largest commitment to date for the all-new vehicles.

"We are pleased and proud Chicago has decided to purchase Ford's Police Interceptor vehicles," said Ken Czubay, vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford has been the police pursuit vehicle market leader for 15 years, and we know these all-new vehicles can handle the rigors of police work."

The Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicles started production at the company's Chicago Assembly Plant last month, adding 230 jobs at the Torrence Avenue plant with additional manufacturing and support jobs expected in the future.

Ford specially designed and engineered an all-new Police Interceptor sedan and utility to handle the rigors of police work, working hand-in-hand with its Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals.

Big cost savings
Ford's all-new Police Interceptor vehicles can save law enforcement agencies across the country millions of dollars a year in fuel costs. For example, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department – the largest in the world – operates a fleet of 6,200 vehicles that patrol an area the size of Connecticut. In 2010, those vehicles drove more than 27 million miles. A fleet-wide 20 percent fuel economy gain would stand to save the department at least $20 million a year with fuel prices hovering near $4 a gallon.

Increased power, enhanced sophistication
Ford's Police Interceptor engine strategy provides a V6 lineup that performs equal to or better than V8 engines. The lineup comes with two powertrain options, allowing police to choose the powerhouse that best meets their patrol requirements.

A highly efficient 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering at least 263 horsepower and E85 compatibility is 25 percent more efficient than the outgoing 4.6-liter single-overhead-cam V8 it is replacing.

In addition, the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine will deliver at least 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range. EcoBoost brings the first ultra-high-performance yet environmentally friendly police pursuit vehicle. The engine offers performance that bests normally aspirated V8-powered police cruisers, and comparable fuel economy and CO2emissions to the standard V6.

Rigorously tested, police-tuned
Throughout its development, Ford's new Police Interceptor has been put through the paces, undergoing a battery of torture tests to ensure its individual components can hold up to the rigorous driving styles of police professionals.

Certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department evaluates the durability and capability of the vehicle through a variety of tests where its systems are pushed to the limits for nearly an hour and a half – far exceeding the demands most patrol cars ever experience.

To meet the rigors of the durability testing, the brakes have been increased in size and performance. The cooling package is purpose-built as well, featuring a heavy-duty alternator and larger radiator. Its honeycomb grille is designed to work in harmony with the interior components, offering more airflow throughout. Plus, the standard 18-inch steel wheels are vented, designed to work in concert with the enhanced brake system.

Functional, inside and out
Front seats have been specially designed, with a lower bolster removed to better accommodate officers' utility belts. Inserted into the seatback are anti-stab plates, designed to protect front-seat occupants.

The Police Interceptor second row also has been optimized to address police-specific needs. The vinyl seats are specially sculpted and set back to improve second-row space and maximize legroom. The back door hinges are modified to open up another 10 degrees versus traditional rear doors.

The Ford Police Interceptor also is equipped with a column shift specially designed so the console area is free for the ever-increasing amounts of aftermarket police equipment necessary for officers to do their jobs. The new vehicle also features:

* BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System): The system uses two radar sensors in the rear quarter panels to detect vehicles in surrounding lanes. If a vehicle enters the driver's blind-spot zones, the system alerts the driver with a warning light in the sideview mirror

* Cross-traffic alert: This system uses the existing BLIS radar modules to sense oncoming traffic when slowly backing out of a parking spot. This industry-exclusive system functions only while the vehicle is in reverse and warns when cross-traffic appears within three car-widths

* Rear view camera: When the vehicle is in rear camera mode, a color image with guidance markers on the rearview mirror will assist the driver in backing up

* Reverse Sensing System: An audible tone will alert the driver to certain objects up to 6 feet behind the vehicle

* Standard AdvanceTrac® ESC (electronic stability control): This helps maintain the intended path by measuring side-to-side yaw, or skidding, by the vehicle's speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When wheel slip is sensed, AdvanceTrac reduces engine torque and applies selected brakes

* Ford SYNC®: The Ford-exclusive, hands-free information system has the potential to be customized and remapped to work specifically with police aftermarket equipment such as lights and sirens, allowing officers to focus on the task at hand

Moby Vic · 25-02-2012, 10:36 AM

It's funny how they're already in production but the EcoBoost horsepower figure isn't official yet ("at least 365 horsepower").

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

It's funny how they're already in production but the EcoBoost horsepower figure isn't official yet ("at least 365 horsepower").

Playing it safe, there's a 2013 model out soon but no mention of power increases..

Do the engines make only 365 hp or do they make more that's not claimed by Ford?
It wouldn't be the first occasion Ford has understated power figures...

Moby Vic · 25-02-2012, 10:49 AM

I've read rumors of 400 horsepower for 2013.

I may get one next year. This year I'm saving money for a trip to Australia!

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

I've read rumors of 400 horsepower for 2013.

I may get one next year. This year I'm saving money for a trip to Australia!

Ford actually built one Ecoboost V6 with 425 hp and 367 lb ft but found the AWD transmission wasn't quite up to it,
being an upgraded version of the Ford/GM joint venture box with new input shaft and extra plates in the clutch packs.

Yellow_Festiva · 25-02-2012, 11:02 AM

What does this car look like? Can a pic be posted please.

This it?

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

What does this car look like? Can a pic be posted please.

This it?

Yeah, that the sedan but also have PI Ute (Explorer) with 3.7 V6 AWD and Ecoboost 3.5 V6.
It's a very powerful double punch as both share a lot of parts and drive similarly..

Yellow_Festiva · 25-02-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Yeah, that the sedan but also have PI Ute (Explorer) with 3.7 V6 AWD and Ecoboost 3.5 V6.
It's a very powerful double punch as both share a lot of parts and drive similarly..

Boggles the mind why Ford Aus and Ford NA don't do more work together... what would it cost us to get our hands on that platform and modify it for local tastes and conditions....

Anyway... nice numbers none the less.

falconnut · 25-02-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Boggles the mind why Ford Aus and Ford NA don't do more work together... what would it cost us to get our hands on that platform and modify it for local tastes and conditions....

Anyway... nice numbers none the less.

I am guessing the strong AUD $ and the weak USD $ would have something to do with it.

FNA would lose money and have very narrow profit margins if the sent these to FoA and they would probably be very expensive to make up for it.

They look great though, i wonder how people will go importing them?

Why didnt they make a 400HP+ RWD Highway/Interstate Patrol version?

Moby Vic · 25-02-2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconnut

Why didnt they make a 400HP+ RWD Highway/Interstate Patrol version?

Ford no longer has a sedan RWD chassis (other than your Falcon, of course).

There would be no point in designing an all-new chassis simply for the police fleet market. Profit margins for fleet sales are not very high.

The new Police Interceptor sedan has standard all-wheel drive, but a low-cost front-wheel-drive version is available (most models of the Taurus upon which it is based are front-wheel drive).

Regarding someone's comment that rear-wheel drive is no good in northern states, how do you explain the popularity of the Crown Vic? They were very popular even in Canada.

trentski · 27-02-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconnut

I am guessing the strong AUD $ and the weak USD $ would have something to do with it.

FNA would lose money and have very narrow profit margins if the sent these to FoA and they would probably be very expensive to make up for it.

Other way around, the high Aus dollar means they could sell these to us at RRP and we woud still think we were getting a bargain. FNA could sell them to FOA at RRP and FOA would add 50% to them and they would still be cheap.

Look at car prices in the states compared to here.........

aussie muscle · 08-03-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconnut

I am guessing the strong AUD $ and the weak USD $ would have something to do with it.

FNA would lose money and have very narrow profit margins if the sent these to FoA and they would probably be very expensive to make up for it.

They look great though, i wonder how people will go importing them?

Why didnt they make a 400HP+ RWD Highway/Interstate Patrol version?

it'd be better than our police driving toyotas and holdens.

i'd imagine the highway patrol version wasn't done because those divisions are looking for fuel savings at the moment. maybe a higher HP version will come later.

Chilliman · 08-03-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconnut

Why didnt they make a 400HP+ RWD Highway/Interstate Patrol version?

No need when they have a 365HP+ AWD version to do that sort of work even when said highway is iced over. The Ecoboost V6 will easily see 450hp with just intake & exhaust (no tuning), but hp isn't the be-all-and-end-all of police work.

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Boggles the mind why Ford Aus and Ford NA don't do more work together... what would it cost us to get our hands on that platform and modify it for local tastes and conditions....

Anyway... nice numbers none the less.

That's the D3 platform, it's a FWD/AWD platform originaly based on the Volvo XC 90 AWD.
Now imagine a FWD/AWD Territory used as the basis for a sedan, it's not the best idea
and while it suits the USA for now Taurus will become a larger version of Mondeo/Fusion

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 11:41 AM

This is just the beginning as Ford plans to retain a lot of its previous Police Vehicle business by incorporating
the new Sedan and Utility Vehicle into existing main line products namely, Taurus and Explorer.

Ford is already way ahead by completely eliminating the Crown Victoria production line and using
upgraded versions of Taurus and Explorer as the new PIs, the savings are in the bank already.
Arguably, there is far more commonality between Taurus and explorer than between Caprice-Tahoe- Impala
and while Dodge offer Charger, they don't seem to offer an SUV which is strange...

OzJavelin · 25-02-2012, 11:52 AM

FWD police car is no fun at all .. When Curt attaches a chain to it's rear end and the other to a lamp post the damn thing will keep going just dragging it's bum along the ground ..

Yellow_Festiva · 25-02-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

FWD police car is no fun at all .. When Curt attaches a chain to it's rear end and the other to a lamp post the damn thing will keep going just dragging it's bum along the ground ..

Haaaaa

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

FWD police car is no fun at all ..

The vehicles are clearly AWD,

the FWD versions are for non-PI duties as support vehicles.

Since most of the larger Police Departments are in the snow belt states, RWD will be a tough sell.
Even Dodge makes their Charger in AWd versions while Caprice is RWD only and SFA sales to date.

Case closed.

OzJavelin · 25-02-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

The vehicles are clearly AWD,

the FWD versions are for non-PI duties as support vehicles.

Sorry .. I just assumed that not mentioning AWD in the text and seeing a picture of a sedan with the front wheels half way along the front doors, that it was FWD ..
.. Don't know how Chicago police ever coped with 440-powered, RWD Dodge Polaras if now they *must have* AWD. Probably global warming ..

1TUFFUTE · 25-02-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Sorry .. I just assumed that not mentioning AWD in the text and seeing a picture of a sedan with the front wheels half way along the front doors, that it was FWD ..
.. Don't know how Chicago police ever coped with 440-powered, RWD Dodge Polaras if now they *must have* AWD. Probably global warming ..

WOW its not just the engines buddy...think about it...awd saftey..performance and the fact that the new awd POLICE INTERCEPTERS are designed and engineered in every key aspect that police need. The non chase cars obviously dont need all that engineering tech...so they can go buy a dodge

do a search on the comparos.....the awd PI cars are amazing

Moby Vic · 25-02-2012, 01:33 PM

The Crown Vic didn't die because of snow. And it was more popular in northern states and Canada than the FWD Dodge Intrepid or Chevy Impala.

Dodge's problem is that it is Dodge. But the Florida Highway Patrol is mostly using Chargers now, after more than a decade of Crown Vics.

RWD cars with traction control do OK in the snow. Cops like RWD cars with V8s. Fleet managers like cheap cars. The Crown Vic was both (but it was never fast).

Most cop car fans in the US now are drooling over the new Caprice PPV.

1TUFFUTE · 25-02-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

The Crown Vic didn't die because of snow. And it was more popular in northern states and Canada than the FWD Dodge Intrepid or Chevy Impala.

Dodge's problem is that it is Dodge. But the Florida Highway Patrol is mostly using Chargers now, after more than a decade of Crown Vics.

RWD cars with traction control do OK in the snow. Cops like RWD cars with V8s. Fleet managers like cheap cars. The Crown Vic was both (but it was never fast).

Most cop car fans in the US now are drooling over the new Caprice PPV.

drooling maybe...but then they look at how the ford PIs are so much better designed and how can you go past that.....so far the comparos of the diff new police vehicles have been dominated by the new fords...in every way.
And if there drooling how come there not buying any???

Moby Vic · 25-02-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

drooling maybe...but then they look at how the ford PIs are so much better designed and how can you go past that.....so far the comparos of the diff new police vehicles have been dominated by the new fords...in every way.
And if there drooling how come there not buying any???

The fans tend to be pinheads on the Internet, not police fleet managers. I don't think the new Ford Police Interceptor is dominating the market the way the Crown Vic did. This is definitely a time of transition in the US police market.

Agencies that were fans of the Crown Vic (even though many of them sued Ford over the ridiculous gas tank issue) liked its full frame and the simplicity of the RWD setup. There is much suspicion about the durability of unibody construction and FWD/AWD transaxles and CV joints.

A lot of Americans are skeptical about the reliability of turbos as well, because they remember the primitive units of the 1980s.

Not only that, but a lot of people think that because the new Police Interceptor is based on a car with the Taurus name that it will somehow have similar problems to the Taurus police car offered in the early '90s, even though the current car doesn't share a single part with that car.

Logic and reason clearly aren't the only factors in play currently. It will take a couple of years to sort out which manufacturer offers the superior police car. There's also a wild card in Carbon Motors' purpose-built E7 (which I doubt will ever see production).

jpd80 · 25-02-2012, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

The fans tend to be pinheads on the Internet, not police fleet managers. I don't think the new Ford Police Interceptor is dominating the market the way the Crown Vic did. This is definitely a time of transition in the US police market.

Production of new Interceptor has only just begun....

Quote:

Agencies that were fans of the Crown Vic (even though many of them sued Ford over the ridiculous gas tank issue) liked its full frame and the simplicity of the RWD setup. There is much suspicion about the durability of unibody construction and FWD/AWD transaxles and CV joints.

Police review commitees are beginning to dispel those concerns. PDS have had Impalas for years.

Quote:

A lot of Americans are skeptical about the reliability of turbos as well, because they remember the primitive units of the 1980s.

45% of all F150s are now Ecoboost V6s so that skepticism is basically from supporters of other manufacturers.

Quote:

Not only that, but a lot of people think that because the new Police Interceptor is based on a car with the Taurus name that it will somehow have similar problems to the Taurus police car offered in the early '90s, even though the current car doesn't share a single part with that car.

Fortunately, Police review committees are't that gullible and have done in depth research
of the D3 Taurus/Fivehundred, a car that's been on the market for around five years...

Moby, Police no doubt love their CVS and the PDs bought up big before STAP closed down ,
great move by Ford saturating the market before CV's demise, many PD's feets are now
replenished and won't need product for about a year or so which means the new PI twins
have time to bed in and establish a reputation ...

Caprice PPV was the pin up boy fro RWD PVs but has sold terribly in the past six months,
I just don't know how long Holden will hang in there, somewhere in the US, there a huge
storage yard chock full of unsold PPVs, Holden can't keep sending cars that just don't sell...

Moby Vic · 26-02-2012, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Fortunately, Police review committees are't that gullible and have done in depth research
of the D3 Taurus/Fivehundred, a car that's been on the market for around five years...

Moby, Police no doubt love their CVS and the PDs bought up big before STAP closed down ,
great move by Ford saturating the market before CV's demise, many PD's feets are now
replenished and won't need product for about a year or so which means the new PI twins
have time to bed in and establish a reputation ...

Caprice PPV was the pin up boy fro RWD PVs but has sold terribly in the past six months,
I just don't know how long Holden will hang in there, somewhere in the US, there a huge
storage yard chock full of unsold PPVs, Holden can't keep sending cars that just don't sell...

First of all, don't get me wrong—I'm very impressed by the new Police Interceptor and may buy one. I'm just giving you guys the arguments against them.

Another complaint of the detractors is that they don't like the way Ford handles AWD, with a transversely mounted engine and FWD bias. I say look at the car's performance and don't worry about how it does what it does. If it works, it works.

Police are notoriously resistant to change. Many remain skeptical of the Taurus-based car. It has been through incredible durability tests, and Ford set up an excellent Police Advisory Board for the car. They are clearly committed to making the transition as seamless as possible. They even made the interior dimensions match the Crown Vic so equipment that had been mounted in a Crown Vic can swap directly into the new Police Interceptor.

I'm surprised to hear about the unsold Caprices. If police won't buy them, I bet Chevy will offer them to the general public.

At least since the '80s I've heard that Chevy built faster police cars, but Ford built nicer, more reliable cars. It sounds like that may be the case with Holden as well.

JPFS1 · 28-02-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

45% of all F150s are now Ecoboost V6s so that skepticism is basically from supporters of other manufacturers.

There are several reasons for this...

2011 saw significant production issues for Coyote. Part shortages (block, head & Crank) are a common issue at the moment.

FordNA also went on a very agressive marketing campaign for their V6, but left Coyote out to dry in comparison.

Things should change in 2012. Many of the part shortages will be relieved in the 1st qtr of 2012 as the items mentioned above move in house.

Forward projections/demand for the 5.0 is quite high for 2012, above 300,000, shortfalls are expected due to ongoing union/Ford issues and Ford not wanting to spend the extra dollars to put resources on the line.

Sorry for the off topic post though.