Dodge Charger police cars to be evaluated for local work

[ebv8]

https://www.news.com.au/technology/m...aa86d97a50245e

Aussie criminals may soon have American cop cars on their tails.

Specific police-prepared versions of the Dodge Charger are about to undergo evaluation by Australian police with the view to putting the four-door sedan into service.

Queensland-based SCD Remanufactured Vehicles – which converts American cars and trucks to right-hand drive under its AUS MV brand – has imported two of the Chargers to Australia.

Each is currently being converted to right-hand drive before being loaned to Federal Police for evaluation. SCD also plans to loan a car to Queensland Police within weeks.

Two Dodge Charger pursuit vehicles are being evaluated for local work. Picture: Supplied.
Two Dodge Charger pursuit vehicles are being evaluated for local work. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

“The Federal police and hopefully the Queensland police will be testing them,” says SCD co-owner and managing director Eddie Kocwa.

“We’ve remanufactured these two Dodge Chargers for the police and we’re about to lend them out, so they’ll be testing them.”

Australian police forces traditionally used Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons for general and pursuit duties, but with the end of manufacturing in 2017 that left an opening for imported brands.

Kocwa says the Chargers cost “about 100 grand” for police duties once the conversions have been done.

Victorian and NSW Highway Patrol police use luxury BMWs costing well into six figures. Picture: Andy Brownbill.
Victorian and NSW Highway Patrol police use luxury BMWs costing well into six figures. Picture: Andy Brownbill.Source:News Corp Australia

NSW and Victorian police currently use diesel-powered BMW luxury sedans as their pursuit vehicles. They retail for an eye-popping $135,000 drive-away, roughly three times the cost of the old Falcons and Commodores.

The Queensland police force uses the much cheaper Kia Stinger, which retails for about $58,000.

But Kocwa says the Kia requires a number of modifications to ready it for police duty.

“In America the Dodge Charger is specifically built for police work,” he says.

That means there is very little that needs to be done beyond shifting the steering wheel to the right-hand side of the car.

Queensland Police favour the more modestly priced Kia Stinger. Picture: Supplied.
Queensland Police favour the more modestly priced Kia Stinger. Picture: Supplied.Source:News Regional Media

“These are built on the factory line for police work.”

The Charger Pursuit – as it’s called in the US – comes with more robust steel wheels, bigger brakes, unique seats to accommodate bulky gun belts and a column shifter to free up space for police equipment in the centre of the car. The 12.1-inch screen can also be configured to run with police equipment, while the front protection bar incorporates flashing LED lights.

The cars currently in Australia are both powered by a V6 engine, but the Charger is also available as a V8.

The police spec versions are also available as a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (there’s one of each under evaluation locally).

Kocwa says that if the company wins a contract, it will create local jobs associated with the conversion process.

[jaydee]

I wonder if they can do pit maneuvers with the nudge bar?
Will they get sold here when retired?
Would be a good pick up for someone.

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by jaydee

I wonder if they can do pit maneuvers with the nudge bar?
Will they get sold here when retired?
Would be a good pick up for someone.

however V6 only for the test cars so not pursuit cars as such
would be good to get some SRT powered cars or maybe some hellcats??

[xxx000]

The Core SRT has been a flop due to massive fuel consumption and unreliability.
Plus appalling parts back up.
Not sure what would be different with the Charger.
Only doing the conversion of a V6 so a V8 and approved would be ages away if ever.
They wouldn't be able to convert enough V8's or V6's to supply sufficient cars here anyway.

[b0son]

Dont serious crims flee the police until the police terminate the pursuit? And why should the taxpayer cough up big $$$ for cars only used to hand out speeding fines? Let em suffer in Camrys.

[bungarra]

Originally Posted by xxx000

The Core SRT has been a flop due to massive fuel consumption and unreliability.
Plus appalling parts back up.
Not sure what would be different with the Charger.
Only doing the conversion of a V6 so a V8 and approved would be ages away if ever.
They wouldn't be able to convert enough V8's or V6's to supply sufficient cars here anyway.

SCD has been doing RHD conversions on Challenger and Chargers for a couple of years and have the parts back up from what information on other forums about them.
Current Chargers they have listed are 100K+, so doubtful they will be anything but POV pack to make them attractive price wise, unless FCA see this as a way to test the waters and give them a police pack from US stock as FCA have both 6 and V8 option on pursuit pack.

https://www.fcausfleet.com/dodge/charger-pursuit.html

[slowsnake]

Sooner have 71 Challenger, 440 magnum, the crims would pull over just to check out the cop car!..lol


Cheers Billy.

[LG17]

All I know is they sound pretty good on the TV cop shows.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by bungarra

SCD has been doing RHD conversions on Challenger and Chargers for a couple of years and have the parts back up from what information on other forums about them.
Current Chargers they have listed are 100K+, so doubtful they will be anything but POV pack to make them attractive price wise, unless FCA see this as a way to test the waters and give them a police pack from US stock as FCA have both 6 and V8 option on pursuit pack.

https://www.fcausfleet.com/dodge/charger-pursuit.html

Parts back up for dozens and dozens of them in extreme 24/7 use is vastly different from what you describe.
The 300's have been found to be quite fragile.
A company having the ability to pump out sufficient conversions each week to satisfy the needs of NSW or Victoria Police is simply not possible.
Yes they could be manufactured RHD and that would negate the above issue but still the extreme fuel use etc

[Citroënbender]

What if it’s effectively a cynical bit of promotion, with added deductibility? Perish the thought!

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by xxx000

Parts back up for dozens and dozens of them in extreme 24/7 use is vastly different from what you describe.
The 300's have been found to be quite fragile.
A company having the ability to pump out sufficient conversions each week to satisfy the needs of NSW or Victoria Police is simply not possible.
Yes they could be manufactured RHD and that would negate the above issue but still the extreme fuel use etc

speaking of fragile cops cars, a mate in the force tells me the BMW's are made of glass and there is a little internal fight to drive the last of the commodores and 300's, maybe its a v8 thing but heard they break alot and the trim wears alot, more than a commodore or falcon anyway

time for reliable fit for purpose aussie cop cars again.
revive the old VF and fill it full of Camaro gear, i would probably not say FG-x as its a bit long in the tooth to be bought back in reality

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by ebv8

speaking of fragile cops cars, a mate in the force tells me the BMW's are made of glass and there is a little internal fight to drive the last of the commodores and 300's, maybe its a v8 thing but heard they break alot and the trim wears alot, more than a commodore or falcon anyway

time for reliable fit for purpose aussie cop cars again.
revive the old VF and fill it full of Camaro gear, i would probably not say FG-x as its a bit long in the tooth to be bought back in reality

Aren't the BMWs fit for purpose police cars that are used in other countries too?

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Aren't the BMWs fit for purpose police cars that are used in other countries too?

you are right but maybe our police are harder on cars or maybe they don't stretch out the life to 120,000km like we do here

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by ebv8

you are right but maybe our police are harder on cars or maybe they don't stretch out the life to 120,000km like we do here

So the car is not the issue and clearly not made of "glass."

[XR Martin]

Don't think the country cops are a big fan of the BMWs, as they have to go back to the dealers (which can be hundreds of kms away) for servicing or to check an engine light. Plus they off the road indefinatly once they hit some of the local wildlife

[Crazy Dazz]

I don't understand why they bother?
Might as well just buy them base model Kias.

It's not as though they're allowed to chase crims anymore.
And any attempt to use their siren or actually exceed the speed limit, results in a Royal Commission.

Pretty soon we'll be back to the days when all the cops had was a treadly with a dingy-bell.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by ebv8

speaking of fragile cops cars, a mate in the force tells me the BMW's are made of glass and there is a little internal fight to drive the last of the commodores and 300's, maybe its a v8 thing but heard they break alot and the trim wears alot, more than a commodore or falcon anyway

time for reliable fit for purpose aussie cop cars again.
revive the old VF and fill it full of Camaro gear, i would probably not say FG-x as its a bit long in the tooth to be bought back in reality

I have trouble believing that, everything about them is better built than our Australian manufactured cars. and they are cheaper to run.

and they are fit for purpose, they are special orders used around the world

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Don't think the country cops are a big fan of the BMWs, as they have to go back to the dealers (which can be hundreds of kms away) for servicing or to check an engine light. Plus they off the road indefinatly once they hit some of the local wildlife

I would have thought a Commodore would get pulled off the road after a wildlife incident too. just a procedural thing

Dealerships? - well the Holden ones all closed didn't they.

So really the issue isn't the cars its abut the cops adapting to change

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by ebv8

Kocwa says the Chargers cost “about 100 grand” for police duties once the conversions have been done.

NSW and Victorian police currently use diesel-powered BMW luxury sedans as their pursuit vehicles. They retail for an eye-popping $135,000 drive-away, roughly three times the cost of the old Falcons and Commodores.

The Queensland police force uses the much cheaper Kia Stinger, which retails for about $58,000.

We don't actually know what Police are paying for the BMWs certainly not RRP. the price would be all stitched up in a maintenance deal.
100K for a V6 charger is just too much with all support through a relatively small company. nah

great PR exercise though good on him.

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by ebv8

speaking of fragile cops cars, a mate in the force tells me the BMW's are made of glass and there is a little internal fight to drive the last of the commodores and 300's, maybe its a v8 thing but heard they break alot and the trim wears alot, more than a commodore or falcon anyway

time for reliable fit for purpose aussie cop cars again.
revive the old VF and fill it full of Camaro gear, i would probably not say FG-x as its a bit long in the tooth to be bought back in reality

I heard the opposite from a HWP officer. They said the BMWs are the best of both the commodore and falcons and are probably too good for what they need them for.

[GT450]

I believe that to be true too Fiestaz. This is about nothing more than a bit of self promotion. Government departments don't usually deal with secondary manufacturers and if they were really serious they would be V8s must have been a slow news day.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by fiestaz

I heard the opposite from a HWP officer. They said the BMWs are the best of both the commodore and falcons and are probably too good for what they need them for.

Yes I've heard nothing but praise for the BMW's too.

The 300's are all noise and that seems to be what people like most about them.

BMW's handle incredibly well and can sit on massive speeds. They are quick off the mark and are very refined cars.
300's have uncomfortable large seats, and are boats by comparison.

[Vesper Martini]

Couldn't resist checking some of this may not be that accurate but as a guide
Charger V6 0-100 6.8sec
Commy V6 0-100 6.4sec
FG XR6 0-100 6.2sec
Charger v8 0-100 5.7sec
BMW 530D 0-100 5.7sec
FG XR6T 0-100 5.2sec
Kia stinger 0-100 4.9sec
BMW 540i 0-100 4.9sec (just for fun)
Commy V8 0-100 4.6sec
BMW M5 0-100 3.3sec

Unless the police pack Charger packs more punch I really cannot see why.

chucked a couple more Beamers in there wasn't fair being the only diesel

[fiestaz]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Couldn't resist checking some of this may not be that accurate but as a guide
Charger V6 0-100 6.8sec
Commy V6 0-100 6.4sec
FG XR6 0-100 6.2sec
Charger v8 0-100 5.7sec
BMW 530D 0-100 5.7sec
FG XR6T 0-100 5.2sec
Kia stinger 0-100 4.9sec
BMW 540i 0-100 4.9sec (just for fun)
Commy V8 0-100 4.6sec
BMW M5 0-100 3.3sec

Unless the police pack Charger packs more punch I really cannot see why.

chucked a couple more Beamers in there wasn't fair being the only diesel

The diesel BMW is far from a slouch and would drink half the commodore did. It’s a win win.

[slowsnake]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

I don't understand why they bother?
Might as well just buy them base model Kias.

It's not as though they're allowed to chase crims anymore.
And any attempt to use their siren or actually exceed the speed limit, results in a Royal Commission.

Pretty soon we'll be back to the days when all the cops had was a treadly with a dingy-bell.

Don't think Old Bill gives a tinkers cuss about high speed car or bike chasers, they just either turn off the cameras or lights, sirens and close their eyes going through red lights or Stop signs, cops in car chases are bloody vindictive pratts!


Cheers Billy.

[Swordie]

The BMW would handle well.

I wish the Challenger could be brought out as RHD factory. It's a cool looking car.

When I first saw the Charger years ago in the U.S that looked really cool too. I saw it while cruising down the Las Vegas Strip (that was an experience) in a Lincoln Navigator. I don't think the Challenger had been released at the time.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

I have trouble believing that, everything about them is better built than our Australian manufactured cars. and they are cheaper to run.

and they are fit for purpose, they are special orders used around the world

Let me drive it for a week and we'll see how tough it is

[EgoFG]

A large number of the police sedans here (Georgia, USA) are Chargers, they are extremely nice looking cars.

Those that are not are usually Tauruses - also a very nice looking car (please forget the optical abomination that was the Taurus in Australia).
The two door equivalent, which would appeal to those who, like me, were '70s Chrysler nuts, is the Challenger.
Here if you hear the throb of an American V8 Coupe it is either a Challenger or a Mustang.

[Citroënbender]

I’ve been wondering if our police are physically bulkier on average, than European police, and if they typically strap on more gear for their shifts.

[Franco Cozzo]

Maybe value adding here could be if they come out of the factory in the USA completely kitted out with sirens, lights, suitable electronics etc.

It avoids the process of having to do all of that later after you buy a 'emergency services ready' vehicle - it costs tens of thousands or into 6 figures depending on what vehicle you are modifying at a second stage manufacturer.

A Victorian Ambulance costs circa $180,000, it's budgeted for around 350 hours of labour per vehicle, plus everything that goes into it like it's lights, sirens, electronics, stretcher, medical equipment, furniture etc and then engineering fees added on etc.

If not and the Charger has to go through this process again then this is an absolute waste of time.

This is somewhere that Ford Australia could kill that market with their in house engineering capabilities, become a niche vehicle manufacturer but backed by a massive OEM with its available resources and they could turn out a very quality product that won't catch on fire every 5 minutes and make the news - Booze buses and ambulances anyone