March 12, 2010
Ford Unveils Police Interceptor to Law Enforcement Officials in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS - Ford revealed its all-new Police Interceptor sedan to law enforcement officials in Las Vegas today, and confirmed production of a Police Interceptor utility vehicle, according to a statement from the automaker.
The automaker said more details on the Police Interceptor utility vehicle will be released in the third quarter of this year.
"Police nationwide asked for a new kind of weapon in the battle for public safety, and Ford is answering the call with a purpose-built vehicle - engineered and built in America - that's as dynamic as it is durable," said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas.
To develop the all-new Police Interceptor, Ford engineers worked together with Ford's Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals, which provided input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality.
A Focus on Safety
Ford's Police Interceptor passes the 75-mph rear-end crash testing. Currently, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the only pursuit sedan to meet this test.
The new Police Interceptor also features Ford's exclusive Safety Canopy side-curtain air bag rollover protection system to help protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollover and side-impact crashes. The multiple side-curtain air bags use Ford's unique Roll Fold technology to help them slip between the occupant and the side window.
Increased Power, Enhanced Sophistication
Ford's Police Interceptor comes with two powertrain options. The highly efficient 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivers at least 263 horsepower, and E85 compatibility is 25 percent more efficient than the 4.6-liter Single Overhead CamV-8 offered in the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. In addition, the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine will deliver at least 365 horsepower and 350 ft.-lb. of torque across a broad rpm range.
The sedan also features a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system.
Rigidly Tested, Police-Tuned
The Police Interceptor has undergone rigorous testing designed by the Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. These certification tests evaluate the durability and capability of the vehicle through a variety of tests where the car's 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 features a heavy-duty alternator and larger radiator. Its honeycomb grille is designed to work in harmony with the interior components, offering more air flow throughout the vehicle. Plus, the standard 18-inch steel wheels are vented, designed to work in concert with the enhanced brake system.
Functional, Inside and Out
The 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 specifically 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 located in the rear quarter panels to detect vehicles in the surrounding lanes. If a vehicle enters the driver's blind-spot zones, the system alerts the driver with a warning light in the side-view 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 System: When the vehicle is in rear camera mode, a color image with guidance markers on the rear view 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.
Ford's new Police Interceptor sedan will be manufactured at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant and will be offered without interruption when production of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends in late 2011.