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2012 Police Interceptor Unveiled by Ford
Ford says this Taurus-based Police Interceptor Concept will exceed the durability, safety and performance of the Ford Crown Victoria, which is being phased out. (Ford photo)
Detroit Free Press via YellowBrix
March 13, 2010
Ford’s new police car can endure a rear-end crash at 75 m.p.h., easily jump curbs and accelerate twice as fast as Ford’s outgoing iconic Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.
“We hope that you will agree that Ford has succeeded in delivering the ultimate new police interceptor,” Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, said as he introduced the new car to a group of law enforcement officials in Las Vegas on Friday.
The new car even comes with “stab plates” to protect the driver and front-seat passenger. Police departments can order optional ballistic door panels.
“So you can see this is not a civilian product by any means,” Fields said.
The new Interceptor will be built on the same structure as the Ford Taurus sedan at the company’s Chicago assembly plant after production of the Crown Victoria ends in late 2011 at Ford’s St. Thomas, Ontario, plant, which is to close.
Ford also said it is developing a new SUV-based police vehicle. Ford said it will provide additional details about that vehicle by the end of September.
Ken Czubay, Ford’s vice president of U.S. sales and marketing, said Ford expects to maintain its market share in the police vehicle business even though competition is increasing.
Introduced in 1983, the Crown Victoria has long dominated police car sales and accounts for about 75% of the police car market with annual sales of 40,000 to 50,000.
Book_Em_Mandie
about 3 years ago
6758 Comments
Oooooh look at the preeetty lights..... Yup, it's preeetty!
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
On the bright side, Taze, it's not the old 1980/1990s Taurus; it's the newer Ford 500 that they got rid of and rebadged as the Taurus. Still...pardon me while I go all Tim Allen and grunt happily for a few moments.
Me likey.
Iprintem
about 3 years ago
230 Comments
After being at an agency where we lost 2 officers to high speed rear end collisions in the Crown Vic, I would withhold my approval until AFTER THEY put their butts in the drivers seat then crashed it at 75 mph and then don't end up dead. I wouldn't care to put anymore officers in any more danger that they are already in.
ill_taze_u_bro
about 3 years ago
2868 Comments
Big draw back for me is that it's on the Taurus frame, but I will give it the wait and see before I pass final judgement. I will tell you this, I'll hold on to my crown vic as long as I can.
Cajun_Cowboy
about 3 years ago
136 Comments
I'm 6"2" 245 lbs, with vest and duty belt I'll have to be like Hudini to get out of this car.
striker123
about 3 years ago
1922 Comments
I nice car, I would hope,we could have such a car here in Germany as a Police car.
usa_24
about 3 years ago
4994 Comments
Wow nice car.
LAWMANTUKES
about 3 years ago
6558 Comments
"Bump" cf6k14
I too have had a lot of problems with my Crown Vic's AM/FM radio system. But..!! Like you, I still love the heck out of my faithful work horse.
Would personally like to see Ford stick with the Crown Vic beyond the year 2011.
diderr
about 3 years ago
66 Comments
Interesting, but I like the Charger and Vic.
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
Awesome, love Fords. Loved my Crown Vic. The only problem I had with them was the AM/FM radio kept going out on them. Can't wait to phase out the Chevy Impala's in our fleet. Looking forward to seeing what the SUV is going to be like. In Montana, it would be a better choice for our department.
FutureLawMan83
about 3 years ago
562 Comments
This thing is sweet, I would drive one.
Beowulf_7
about 3 years ago
618 Comments
On the Taurus Sedan structure. . . .so does that mean that it is front wheel drive? No frame? Yeah, the suspension may be able to handle those 8 inch curbs but what happens to the body without a frame. How many curbs do you get to go over before it goes down the road sideways? Ford has taken GM's playbook and worked it right on through. You take something that is just about correct and then drop it to replace it with an inferior product to have to start the process all over again.
theshieldman2000
about 3 years ago
578 Comments
sorry......Im a chevy man. It looks sharp though!
matsnap
about 3 years ago
482 Comments
It looks expensive, but sounds like it will be worth the money. If it's built on the Taurus structure, it might be uncomfortable for taller officers.
SkoolCop
about 3 years ago
4100 Comments
I am skeptical of anything based on a Ford Taurus. A V-6 and a "turbocharged EcoBoost engine" as powerplant options? They do not say if the latter is a V-6 with the turbo option or a V-8. I have heard that it is only a V-6 on steroids. Sorry, if it aint got a V-8, it won't last with what we do with our cars. A V-6 or a V-6 on steroids is still just a V-6. (BTW, I say the same thing about the Dodge Charger with a V-6) It will work too hard and simply not perform despite what Ford is saying and at a much higher maintenance cost per unit. Keep in mind that they will say anything to sell a car. I like the reported crash results but have yet to see any proof that it will perform as advertised. The same with driving up curbs at 40 mph...... just a bit on the hard to believe side of the fence. The duty belt cutouts is a concept and design thieved from the Carbon Motors. Overall, I don't like or care for the car.