Ford strike back with police cars

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Am I the only one who would love to have those 18inch steelies if I owned a V8 Commodore/Statesman?

The sleeper factor would be there, but surely they'd weigh a fair bit as well.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by superroo

So let me see if i read this right. A car that the public can't buy is ment to be the undercover car so that it blends into cars the public can buy

Cheers

exactly...either americans are REALLY stupid or GM has been smoking something... i could not imagine ANY police force in the world ever buying for undercover/plain clothes work an unmarked car that is not available to the general public... defeats the whole purpose of trying to blend in, most crooks (even the stupid ones) can spot an undercover car now let alone if it's a police only special..

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by au2000

exactly...either americans are REALLY stupid or GM has been smoking something... i could not imagine ANY police force in the world ever buying for undercover/plain clothes work an unmarked car that is not available to the general public... defeats the whole purpose of trying to blend in, most crooks (even the stupid ones) can spot an undercover car now let alone if it's a police only special..

It's no different to the current situation in the US with undercover cops using the Crown Victoria - which hasn't been available to the public for a number of years.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

It's no different to the current situation in the US with undercover cops using the Crown Victoria - which hasn't been available to the public for a number of years.

thought the crown vic was available as a mercury variant Grand Marquis

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by au2000

exactly...either americans are REALLY stupid or GM has been smoking something... i could not imagine ANY police force in the world ever buying for undercover/plain clothes work an unmarked car that is not available to the general public... defeats the whole purpose of trying to blend in, most crooks (even the stupid ones) can spot an undercover car now let alone if it's a police only special..

For detectives?
I don't see it being an unmarked traffic vehicle, though someone from the US could clarify the requirements for an unmarked traffic vehicle (i.e. push bars, etc).

[chevypower]

If I see a Charger, i automatically think it's a cop. If I see a Crown Vic, it's either a cop or a Mexican - then I check to make sure it's not really a Grand Marquis (a car that has it's demographic in its name).

[au2000]

Originally Posted by Wretched

For detectives?
I don't see it being an unmarked traffic vehicle, though someone from the US could clarify the requirements for an unmarked traffic vehicle (i.e. push bars, etc).

generally detectives would use a vehicle which blends in & does not stand out like you know what, the same cars would be used for all general plain clothes duties..it would be bad enough to sit in a car overnight watching someone that can be pretty obvious as it is, but doing the same thing in a car not available to anyone else...?? i just dont think that many police forces over there will pick them up, the cab companies on the other hand.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by au2000

exactly...either americans are REALLY stupid or GM has been smoking something... i could not imagine ANY police force in the world ever buying for undercover/plain clothes work an unmarked car that is not available to the general public... defeats the whole purpose of trying to blend in, most crooks (even the stupid ones) can spot an undercover car now let alone if it's a police only special..

I doubt these cars will be used for true 'undercover' work, they have impounded cars for work like that. No way at the moment an undercover cop wearing a wire for a drug bust would pull up in a 2010 Crown Vic with radio aerials, police computer, push bar, spotlights etc - hed be spotted a mile off!

For unmarked duties a police specific vehicle is ideal. They want a vehicle which dosnt stand out as a marked car but still want a vehicle which has the presence of a police car, it gives them more legitimacy in pulling cars over - a real problem when there have been a lot of cases of people impersonating an officer.

I also think that a police-specific vehicle gives the police an intimidation factor that some police departments want. Imagine seeing a big dark grey Caprice slowly rolling some downtown street late at night - you will know its a cop, which I think is a presence some people want to see.

Anyway, most current unmarked police vehicles stand out anyway, with their 18 inch black steel rims, push bar and A-pillar mounted spotlights.

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577620017BF95

Holden’s US police car program in full swing

Holden export orders to start soon for US detective and heavy-duty patrol cars

16 July 2010

By TERRY MARTIN

HOLDEN’S development program of police vehicles for export to the United States is nearing completion, with the first orders of the Statesman-based patrol cars and specialist unmarked detective vehicles coming soon and production due to start in the final quarter.

Marketing of the 2011 Chevrolet Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) is now in full swing in the US, with the Australian-built sedan on the approved order list for North American law enforcement agencies and full details now available through GM’s commercial and fleet department.

GM has expanded the specific website it has developed for the Chevy PPV, now providing comprehensive details including the approved technical manual for the vehicle showing two versions that have been initially developed: the regular PPV and an unmarked detective version.

Presented in the technical manual with all-black paintwork and bodywork, save for a chrome grille surround and Chevrolet badge, the emergence of the detective car has heightened speculation that a proposed civilian version will be produced for sale to the general public.

While Holden is now looking forward to a substantial boost in production once the tendering process gets underway in the US and PPV orders start rolling in, the Australian manufacturer is downplaying the prospect of a civilian program running alongside.

Senior product communications manager Jonathan Rose has told GoAuto that dealers in the US commonly manage large fleet orders, and that this role, combined with Holden developing an unmarked version of the PPV, does not indicate that a civilian car is also in the works.

“GM has released vehicle specifications to provide their dealers with the necessary technical information about the vehicle ahead of the tendering period in the US,” he said.

“Each law enforcement department has its own tendering process which will determine if they want to take the vehicle. We won’t be (starting production) until GM receives orders for the first vehicles later in the year.

“There are no plans to introduce the Caprice to the US as a civilian vehicle. As it stands, it is scheduled to be a police car only.

“GM has identified that two variants as necessary for police – one that can be used for unmarked purposes and one which is used for daily heavy-duty patrol work – and Holden will manufacture both of those.”

Mr Rose confirmed that the PPV marketing campaign was well underway in the US and that Holden had directed a significant amount of resources and input from design, engineering and manufacturing staff into developing the vehicles.

“The program has been a significant priority for the business at Holden,” he said.

“We haven’t confirmed volumes at this stage, but we know that the North American law enforcement market equates to about 70,000 new vehicles per year, so capturing even a fraction of that market will be significant for Holden.

“Production and shipping dates are to be confirmed. The first step in the process is to showcase the car to the North American market, and at that point we hope to start receiving orders.

“Subject to orders, early production for the police car program is expected to take place towards the end of the year.”

Both PPV versions use the same basic mechanical package, including the familiar Gen IV 6.0-litre V8 petrol engine with Active Fuel Management cylinder-deactivation technology and E85 ethanol compatibility, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The engine has a ‘wide open throttle’ feature which automatically cuts off the air-conditioning in high-speed situations, although the technical manual makes the point that overall performance may be reduced when overhead lamps, spotlamps, radio antennas, sirens and other emergency equipment are installed.

Holden has also engineered a higher-grade electrical system to cope with the unique police application.

Both models are fitted standard with a ‘police performance mode’ that deactivates systems such as traction control. Other features include heavy-duty disc brakes, ABS with ‘police calibration’, heavy-duty 18-inch steel wheels, a ‘trap-speed’ feature which records and stores the vehicle’s speed (via steering wheel controls) when following another vehicle, and a ‘stealth mode’ which suppresses audible sounds and lights when the remote central locking keypad is used.

Options include a remote-start feature, heavy-duty vinyl floor coverings and seats, and a flasher system for the headlamps and tail-lights.

GM is offering the PPVs with a three-year/ 36,000-mile ‘bumper-to-bumper limited warranty’ and a limited five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The American auto giant is competing with a number of rival manufacturers in the lucrative police car market, including Ford’s with its forthcoming Taurus-based Police Interceptor – a replacement for the current top-selling Crown Victoria, due late next year – and Carbon Motors’ with its dedicated E7 law enforcement vehicle, which enters production in 2012 and will be powered by a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by vztrt

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577620017BF95

Holden’s US police car program in full swing

Must be that time of the year, when Holden are about to hit up the Federal Government for more money. First comes the spin, then comes the federal government money, then comes the 5 year export deal that goes for a year, then comes the blame on some obscure outside force, then comes the loss announcement.

Whats the point of a 36000 mile warranty, that equates to 60000 kilometres, or only 164 kilomotres per day for a year.

[Ohio XB]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Must be that time of the year, when Holden are about to hit up the Federal Government for more money. First comes the spin, then comes the federal government money, then comes the 5 year export deal that goes for a year, then comes the blame on some obscure outside force, then comes the loss announcement.

Yeah, I'd say that's about right.

Remember, they made a big deal out of paying off their government loan with another government loan, ahead of schedule even!



Steve

[Brazen]

Further news on the back of Caprice exports to the US...

Chevrolet Considering Statesman As Premium Sedan

www.gminsidenews.com
July 19, 2010
By: Nick Saporito


Last week reports surfaced that General Motors is reconsidering selling a civilian version of the upcoming Chevrolet Caprice police vehicle. The report adds to a string of rumors and reports surrounding the fate of Zeta rear-wheel drive vehicles being sold in North America. According to GMI sources, GM North America management is considering the long-wheel base Holden Statesman as a premium Chevrolet sedan for North America. It is a move that would mimic several markets that Chevrolet currently sells the Holden-sourced product in.

As it stands today, Chevrolet will be launching the 2011 Caprice PPV in early 2011 for police-use only. The new Caprice is based on the Holden WM architecture, which is a larger version of the platform that underpinned the Pontiac G8 sedan in North America. To date, no civilian use Caprice has been approved for sale in North America.

According to GMI sources, GM is considering leveraging the long-wheel base WM architecture to house a new premium Chevrolet sedan for North America. Whether or not they would utilize the Caprice nameplate is unclear, but our sources suggested that the car would be very premium in nature.

Allegedly GM management is pondering a premium large sedan for Chevrolet to combat the likes of the upcoming Hyundai Equus. Our sources stated that the car would have amenities similar to that of the WM-based Buick Park Avenue that is currently sold in China.

On numerous occasions GMI sources have stated that GM management has a goal to have Chevrolet compete in every segment Toyota and Hyundai have entries in globally.

Another goal GM management supposedly has is to unify the Chevrolet lineup globally, much like rivals Ford and Toyota are doing. Chevrolet currently sells the Holden Statesman in Middle Eastern markets as the Chevrolet Caprice.

Two Chevrolet Zetas?

Sources both at GMI and other outlets have confirmed that GM is planning to sell the Holden Commodore in North America as a Chevrolet. The short-wheel base sedan will be positioned as a high-performance niche product. At this time GM has not selected a name for the new product, however it has been confirmed that a program code exists internally for the car.

If approved, the Statesman-based long-wheel base sedan will make for two civilian Zeta products for the Chevrolet brand in North America. No timeline of approval or production is known at this time, though Holden will be launching an updated Statesman this fall.

[Road_Warrior]

Holden this, Holden that. That article is full of little else but speculation. Even if Chevy did want the Caprice and Commodore for the domestic market, they would be made in North America, not here.

[Road_Warrior]

Here is some proof that that drivel from GMI was exactly that: drivel

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2010...n-holden-20147

Holden isn't building a Chev-badged Statesman or Caprice for export to the US. That's the word from Emily Perry, Holden's Director External Communications.

Responding to the question posed by the Carsales Network this morning, Perry was unequivocal: "We have no plans to export that vehicle as a civilian car at this stage."

At least two web publishers have reported in recent days that Chevrolet is considering a civilian version of the Caprice PPV (the Holden-built police interceptor for the American market). The speculation appears to have been stirred up following Chevrolet's release of specifications for the Caprice PPV, which is based on the local Statesman/Caprice WM platform.

Overnight, online forum GM Inside News floated the possibility that the Statesman could be sold in the US as a premium-level Chevrolet to compete directly with Hyundai's Equus, but Perry refuted that.

Further speculation also persists that the short-wheelbase Commodore will make a return to the US market -- something Perry didn't definitively deny. Nor is she in a position to do so. The question of the Commodore returning to the American market has been a tennis match played out by GM executives in North America, frequently confusing the issue for enthusiasts.

Former Holden MD Mark Reuss had said prior to vacating the top job at Fishermans Bend that the company was looking at ways of compensating for the loss of export earnings from the defunct Pontiac G8 program -- which folded when the Pontiac brand was closed down by GM in the midst of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy crisis.

While Reuss didn't say that getting the Commodore back into the US was the ultimate aim, it would seem to be the most likely prospect. A report published by the Carsales Network earlier today that John Crennan has been recruited for a special project working with GM in the US just stirs up more water-cooler chat.

Crennan, given his long-standing involvement with HSV, would be ideally placed to assist in the development of a semi-prestige performance brand along the same lines for Chevrolet -- and the short-wheelbase Commodore would make the perfect nucleus for such a brand, although if that were to take place, where would Corvette fit? And what about the locally-designed Camaro, for that matter?

If Holden and Chevrolet do make a move to reintroduce the Commodore to the US market, it may need to happen soon. According to Perry, the Series II VE update is due "within the coming weeks and months, basically," and she further confirmed that Series II is a mid-life update.

But asked when the all-new replacement for the VE platform was scheduled for introduction, Perry wouldn't be drawn.

"You could speculate as much as you like, but we're not talking about next generation cars yet."

Since the VE Commodore was introduced in 2006 -- and the VE Series II is due shortly -- there's a strong likelihood that a new generation Commodore will be pencilled in for around 2014.

If, as some pundits in the US are suggesting, the Commodore is introduced there as a 2013 model (which would mean an on-sale date sometime in 2012), that timeframe doesn't make a lot of sense for a car that may be due for replacement within a couple of years. On that point, Perry steered clear of fanning the flames of speculation any higher.

"We're not even talking domestically about what we're doing in terms of next-generation vehicles; we're solely focused on launching Series II -- so we certainly wouldn't have any comments about export potential for those future vehicles when we haven't even launched the car yet."

The vehicles that have been exported by Holden in the past have always followed the domestic release of the locally-built car, they have never preceded the domestic introduction, so a hypothetical release date in 2012/2013 seems very unlikely for the VE replacement, assuming that falls due around 2014.

It's also unlikely for the last of the VE Series II cars, since it would only give GM in the US a window of perhaps eighteen months to sell the cars -- that's hardly worth the cost of 'federalising' for what may very well be a low-volume production run anyway. Perry confirmed that the domestic car always receives precedence ahead of export production.

"We're very clear in saying that, for Holden, our number one priority is having a strong domestic business. Any export volume will most likely be niche export opportunity and will be the icing on the cake for us -- but our core business will be built on the strength of our domestic sales and the imports for the Australian market..."

In any event, it is highly unlikely that Holden's plant would have the capacity to fulfill domestic Commodore and Cruze production AND current export contracts AND the demand for this make-believe civvy Caprice variant. Not to mention it is highly unlikely that Americans would accept a foreign made Chevy.

[EgoFG]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

But asked when the all-new replacement for the VE platform was scheduled for introduction, Perry wouldn't be drawn.

"You could speculate as much as you like, but we're not talking about next generation cars yet."

If this was a Ford article it would be about three minutes before this line was transmogrified into a headline like "The last of the Aussie Commodire"

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Not to mention it is highly unlikely that Americans would accept a foreign made Chevy.

i doubt the average american would care less. police cars are bought for police work, they don't need to be made available to average consumers.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

i doubt the average american would care less. police cars are bought for police work, they don't need to be made available to average consumers.

The article referred to a supposed civilian-market Caprice.

[vztrt]

Holden’s US police car ready for orders

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25776D0018A63C

GM announces order and delivery dates for Holden’s Australian-made Caprice PPV

27 July 2010

By MARTON PETTENDY

CHEVROLET is just three months away from taking orders for the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) designed and manufactured by GM Holden in Australia.

General Motors has announced full specifications and detailed order and delivery dates for both the 9C1-codenamed police version and (9C3) detective variant of its Holden Statesman-based Caprice PPV.

The unmarked 9C3 detective package will open for orders first in October, before hitting North American streets in April 2011, while the fully marked 9C1 police version opens for orders in January before hitting the beat in the US next June.

Chevrolet says the release of the large, rear-wheel drive Caprice PPV alongside the front-drive Impala and AWD Tahoe PPVs will make it the only brand to offer a full line of specialised police vehicles.

As we’ve reported, the Adelaide-built Caprice PPV will vie with Ford’s new Taurus-based Police Interceptor, Dodge’s Charger and a purpose-built police vehicle from US start-up company Carbon Motors for business in the lucrative North American law enforcement vehicle market, which some estimates put at up to 80,000 vehicles a year.

Holden is now gearing up for production of the vital new model at its Elizabeth assembly plant in South Australia, where a second shift will be reinstated in November primarily to produce the Series II VE Commodore and Cruze small-car.

The Caprice PPV represents a return of exports to the US after the abolition of GM’s Pontiac brand – and with it the Holden-made G8 sedan – as part of GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.

GM’s fleet and commercial operations general manager Brian Small said: “When we began designing our latest police vehicle, we went directly to our customers and found that they were looking for a rear-wheel, large sedan with a V8 engine. “By announcing the available specs and ordering information now, we’re following through with our promise to provide them with the advanced technologies that best serve their needs for comfort, performance and safety.

“Chevrolet’s history with law enforcement spans across almost as many years as the brand itself and we’re ready to see the Caprice PPV report for active duty.”

While extensive details of the Caprice PPV were revealed when GM unveiled the car at a police chiefs’ convention in Denver last year, Chevrolet now says that, at 3172 litres, the Australian-engineered PPV offers class-leading interior space, front seats designed to accommodate gun belts, and eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with high-wear material and a seat-back security panel.

A V6 version of the Caprice PPV will follow the 6.0-litre V8 model (with E85 capability and Active Fuel Management cylinder shutdown technology) on sale for the 2012 model year.

Chev says it expects the PPV V8 to deliver best-in-class 0-100km/h acceleration in less than six seconds, thanks to a six-speed automatic transmission with sport-shift calibration and a 2.92 axle ratio with limited-slip differential.

The Caprice PPV also features a full-width prisoner partition, front-only side and head curtain airbags, electronic stability control, 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on centre caps and wheel covers, a certified 180mph analogue speedo and a ‘ Driver Information Center’ with a “Trap Speed” feature to capture speed when tracking other vehicles.

Optional extras will include an auxiliary battery to power police equipment, a full-size spare tyre under a flat rear cargo floor and vinyl rear seat and floor coverings.

[Road_Warrior]

Why GoAuto keeps regurgitating this topic is beyond me. There is nothing new in that article.

[vztrt]

I'd say Holden marketing machine showing how great the VE is.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Why GoAuto keeps regurgitating this topic is beyond me. There is nothing new in that article.

Exactly. There is nothing new AND nothing confirmed.

CHEVROLET is just three months away from taking orders for the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) designed and manufactured by GM Holden in Australia.

The unmarked 9C3 detective package will open for orders first in October, before hitting North American streets in April 2011, while the fully marked 9C1 police version opens for orders in January before hitting the beat in the US next June.

They aren't doing anything. They OPEN for orders. That is ALL. Does not mean ANY orders have been placed. There are NO ORDERS.

This is not news.

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Exactly. There is nothing new AND nothing confirmed.
They aren't doing anything. They OPEN for orders. That is ALL. Does not mean ANY orders have been placed. There are NO ORDERS.

This is not news.

Awwww come on philly, they are hitting the streets in April 2011. Its simply not possible to have the design approved (as of now, its just a show pony), by various law enforcement agencies, testing done, orders made, cars manufactured and cars shipped to the US in 8 months. You know, with all those excess empty car carriers currently travellling between Adelaide and the US, putting all these finer details into place wont take but a few weeks.

Surely this cant be just another "potential" sales hype beat up by Holden. It would come as a complete shock if it was.

[g220ba]

Originally Posted by phillyc

This is not news.

It wasn't news the first time they wrote about it, why they feel it necessary to rehash the same article every month is beyond me. I suppose that's the calibre of motoring journalist in ths country at the moment.

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/75983/ch...ty-april-2011/

Chevrolet Caprice PPV on duty April 2011
By George Skentzos | July 28th, 2010 6 Comments

General Motors has announced the order and delivery dates as well as the final package specifications for the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).

With rear-wheel-drive V8-powered large sedans favoured among law enforcement agencies across North America, it comes as no surprise that GM tasked Holden with producing the next generation of police pursuit vehicles.

Holden has not released production volume forecasts for the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, although according to Emily Perry, director external communications at Holden, even a fraction of the market would be worthwhile.

“In total the North American law enforcement market is around 70,000 vehicles a year, so to capture even a fraction of this market would be a great opportunity for Holden.”

Holden will build the completed police pursuit vehicles here in Australia for export, with specific equipment required by each law enforcement agency then fitted in the US.

Chevrolet will begin taking orders for the more discrete Caprice PPV detective package from October 2010 with the first patrol cars due to hit the streets in April 2011.

Orders of the Caprice PPV police package version with full lights and sirens will begin in January 2011 and will be on the beat around North America by next June.

The police-spec Caprice features the same 6.0-litre V8 engine you would find in the regular Holden line-up, including the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability.

The standard six-speed automatic transmission has been altered with improved sport shift calibrations for performance driving along with a “police performance” ESC mode for enhanced stability during high-speed driving.

A V6 engine option will also be made available for the 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV vehicles

[bobthebilda]

Holden has not released production volume forecasts for the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, although according to Emily Perry, director external communications at Holden, even a fraction of the market would be worthwhile.

“In total the North American law enforcement market is around 70,000 vehicles a year, so to capture even a fraction of this market would be a great opportunity for Holden.”

The US car market is over 10 million cars a year. When they started exporting the G8, the phrase was, even a fraction of that would be good. In the end, they had to write off a few hundred million dollars on the G8 project. Now they are saying even a fraction of the 70,000 a year market would be good. These people just never stop with the crap.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/c...reets-beginni/

Click the link to see the video.

Chevrolet Caprice police car to patrol America's streets beginning April, 2011 [w/video]

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Jul 27th 2010 at 9:58AM

Attention perps: You'll have a new patrol vehicle roaming the streets come next April. That's the month General Motors says its Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle will finally hit the local precinct. Those models will apparently all be of the detective package variety; Chevy's police package will officially go on sale in June of 2011. Ordering for the detective cars will commence in October of this year, while those officers looking forward to the police package will need to wait until next January to place their orders.

For those unaware, the new Caprice will feature a rather traditional layout, with seating for two officers in the cushy front seats and two less lucky individuals in the rear behind a full-width prisoner partition. Motivation comes from a 355-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine sending those ponies to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

We've wrangled up a full gallery of high-res images below and pasted a video along with the press release after the break.

[bobthebilda]

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/a...across-america

It can only happen in America. Due to the economic downturn, jobs are being lost, and in turn there are less taxes to support government agencies. As a result, Police Officers are being laid off, due to cut backs, and the Police Unions are not happy about this.

The Police Departments inturn, are supposedly expressing interest in a foreign made car, which will lead to less local jobs, less tax revenues and possibly the need for more Police cutbacks.

It appears Russia and China are the only super powers left.

[vztrt]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/01/f...e-and-protect/

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility prepares to serve and protect

by Steven J. Ewing (RSS feed) on Sep 1st 2010 at 12:01AM



When Ford took the wraps off of its Taurus-based Police Interceptor sedan earlier this year, we were told that a second, utility-oriented police pursuit vehicle would be coming down the pipeline. Enter the Police Interceptor Utility, based off the 2011 Explorer crossover. A Flex-styled paddy wagon would have been cool, but the Explorer's higher ground clearance makes it more versatile for law enforcement officials who require all-terrain capability.

Unlike the sedan, which will be available with two different powertrains, the Explorer Interceptor only comes with Ford's 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6, delivering "at least 280" horsepower and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations are available, and it appears that the Explorer's terrain management system will not be offered on the Police Interceptor. The latest host of driver aids like curve control and Ford's AdvanceTrac Roll Stability Control are standard on the Interceptor Utility, as are larger brakes, a tougher suspension and 18-inch steel wheels.

Ford Explorer Police Interceptor UtilityInside, new seats have been fitted up front with reductions in side bolstering to accommodate an officer's utility belt, and the gear shifter is now mounted on the column in order to provide space for computer equipment in the center console. Much like the Taurus Interceptor, Ford specifically designed the spacing between the seats to ensure that existing police equipment can be carried over to the new vehicles without issue. Things aren't exactly luxurious in the rear seats (duh), but occupants out back do get their own climate control system (Ford says this is ideal for K9 units) as well as stab plates in the front seat backs to keep the driver and passenger safe.

Ford has also gone the extra step to rework some of the Explorer's interior functions to better suit police needs. The steering wheel buttons, for example, are remappable and can be programmed to operate a host of auxiliary functions (lights, sirens, etc.). What's more, Ford's SYNC system is on hand and can be used to voice-activate the different police communication and audio equipment.

Don't expect to see the Police Interceptor Utility out on the road until 2012 at the earliest. Ford says that production will begin in late 2011 alongside the sedan at the automaker's Chicago assembly plant. For now, check out our high-res galleries of both live and official images, and follow the jump for the presser.

More Pics

[Road_Warrior]

That looks sick.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

That looks sick.

And column shift too, I like it! Do Ford make a Police Pack Territory? That could be a great car.