California chooses Ford Explorer Police Interceptor as next patrol car
05-29-12, 03:00 PM
#1
California chooses Ford Explorer Police Interceptor as next patrol car
Ponch Approved? California chooses Ford Explorer Police Interceptor as next patrol car
How many cops does it take to choose a new police car? In California, the answer is four. But this is also a trick question, because the California Highway Patrol didn't choose a car to replace its aging Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors – it chose an SUV. That's right, Cali 5-0 will be rolling in the Ford Explorer starting this fall.
According to Motor Trend, due to the CHP's requirement that each of its cruisers be able to carry four officers plus all their equipment, none of the three police sedans currently on the market were even eligible for consideration. Only the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, as the Explorer-based pursuit vehicle is known, and the Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle are able to carry the roughly 1,700-pound payload that CHP requires. According to the report, the Explorer out-performed the Tahoe in testing by the L.A. County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police, however Ford won the CHP bid by virtue of having the lower price.
Motor Trend says the contract is good for some 1,800 Explorers over the next two years, although the the CHP may also be buying some sedans to use for "executive vehicles." As CHP is one of the major players in the police vehicle market, its decision to adopt the Explorer carries considerable weight with other agencies – meaning that Ford has to be happy with how things are shaking out in the post-Crown Vic world.
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-...photo-3315411/
Source:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/29/p...lice-intercep/
05-29-12, 10:58 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
It's hard to imagine a large, loaded down SUV sailing down the highway at 90 mph enroute to a call. Even with all of today's modern saftey nannies, I don't think this is a good idea. If bumped a certain way, these things still leave the ground fast. At least with sedans like the Vic, it had a low center of gavitiy. We shall see how this plays out.
In the meantime, best start memorizing those headlights. After 20 years of the same thing in CA, it's an all new game out there.
In the meantime, best start memorizing those headlights. After 20 years of the same thing in CA, it's an all new game out there.
05-29-12, 11:32 PM
#7
Lexus Connoisseur
It's amazing how times have changed. Explorer was known for this many years ago...
Trending Topics
05-29-12, 11:36 PM
#8
Lexus Connoisseur
Better start familiarizing yourselves with the look and profile of these new police interceptors hehe...
05-29-12, 11:39 PM
#9
Lexus Connoisseur
05-29-12, 11:50 PM
#10
It's hard to imagine a large, loaded down SUV sailing down the highway at 90 mph enroute to a call. Even with all of today's modern saftey nannies, I don't think this is a good idea. If bumped a certain way, these things still leave the ground fast. At least with sedans like the Vic, it had a low center of gavitiy. We shall see how this plays out.
In the meantime, best start memorizing those headlights. After 20 years of the same thing in CA, it's an all new game out there.
In the meantime, best start memorizing those headlights. After 20 years of the same thing in CA, it's an all new game out there.
I guess there's one good thing, it will be harder for CHP to hide behind a bush now
05-30-12, 02:27 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
it will be easier to push people (especially large ones ) they're taking in into an suv than a sedan like a crown vic.
plus they will be able to be more flexible in duty - they can have a dog for example, not as easy in the vic.
) they're taking in into an suv than a sedan like a crown vic.plus they will be able to be more flexible in duty - they can have a dog for example, not as easy in the vic.
05-30-12, 02:29 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
can't say that's all they were known for, that would be like saying early lexus rx are 'known for' engine sludge, which of course is also ridiculous.
there's tons of both still on the road, doing daily duty, reliably.
05-30-12, 03:00 PM
#14
I agree. It's scary enough seeing some of the manuveurs they do in the Crown Vic's, I would hate to see them doing similar things in a big SUV like an Explorer. Can't be good for the amount of gas that is going to be consumed either.
I guess there's one good thing, it will be harder for CHP to hide behind a bush now
I guess there's one good thing, it will be harder for CHP to hide behind a bush now
MPGs are better on the explorer interceptor than the old crown vics.
I wouldnt doubt if they handled better too
"Ford says the Explorer is at least 20 percent more fuel efficient than the outgoing Crown Victoria PI, which used a thirsty 4.6-liter V-8. "
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/for...ceptor-utility
Last edited by Ap1_Alan; 05-30-12 at 03:03 PM.
05-30-12, 04:03 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC/ATL
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Im sure this is only a sign of things to come, California is one of the influential states to do something and we see it slowly get implemented in other states.
Center of gravity is a moot point, I've seen plenty of cops flip and destroy Crown Vics all by themselves because of wet roads and dumb driving
The Explorer is a car, a lifted sport wagon to be precise
Center of gravity is a moot point, I've seen plenty of cops flip and destroy Crown Vics all by themselves because of wet roads and dumb driving
The Explorer is a car, a lifted sport wagon to be precise