Ford's new Taurus-based Police Interceptor revealed

[Mazda 3s]

Get used to this headlight pattern folks!

Quote »

Later today, Ford will officially unveil its new Police Interceptor at a private fleet sales event in Las Vegas, but the first images of the new vehicle were posted this morning on the company's website. As has been rumored for some time, Ford will be adapting the Taurus to take over from the aged Crown Victoria which is finally being euthanized in September 2011. At this point, we don't have any mechanical details on the new cop car. We wouldn't be surprised if Ford offers the Interceptor in two forms. A naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 version with front-wheel drive could serve for all those local applications like liaison officers, supervisors, etc. where extra performance is not needed. The true Interceptors for highway patrol applications will probably use the SHO powertrain with the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 and all-wheel drive. This twin-turbo cop car would provide the first real performance challenge to the increasingly popular Dodge Charger while likely getting much better fuel economy, and we presume that the Blue Oval will field the new units with the obligatory upgrades, including a more robust suspension, cooling system, electrical, and hopefully, brakes. We should have all the answers for you around lunch time.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/0...mages/

[Swallow Doretti]

I suspect cops will prefer the new Caprice.

[ToucheTurtle]

Quote, originally posted by Swallow Doretti »

I suspect cops will prefer the new Caprice.

x2

[dieselraver]

meh.

[Professor Gascan]

Quote, originally posted by Swallow Doretti »

I suspect cops will prefer the new Caprice.

x3

[uncleho]

1) Isn't this tunnel in Switzerland or Italy (I think I've driven it before.)?

2) Why is the cop in that lane?

[Sir UNBANNED_GERBIL M.B.]

Robocop will be pleased. He's been driving the same old clapped out taurus for over 20 years now

[DenCo]

So, the Crown Vic vs. Impala thing has just been reversed and Ford is now the lame one...

[Knock Sensor]

Should've been rwd imo.

[lolaccountislocked]

I think a lot of saw this coming..

[Live-Wire]

Why do the seats look like something from a crappy rental cube van? I don't get this on any commercial vehicle... driver sits in the thing 8-12 hours a day, and they install the worst seats in the world.

[verdee]

On the plus side, this will result in cheap Ecoboost models in a couple of years.

[Turbio!]

I really dig the mesh grille. That'd be a nice aesthetic upgrade for the SHO.

[BRZ]

I think police may be wary switching from an V8 to a twin turbo V6. Also, I sat in the back of one at the auto show and the G8 defiantly had a larger interior, and the Caprice is even larger than the G8!

Caprice FTW.

[SSLByron]

Quote, originally posted by Live-Wire »

Why do the seats look like something from a crappy rental cube van? I don't get this on any commercial vehicle... driver sits in the thing 8-12 hours a day, and they install the worst seats in the world.

Because they need lots of torso and hip room so they can sit in the car without taking off all their gear.

[Chmeeee]

Quote, originally posted by Mazda 3s »

Get used to this headlight pattern folks!

Blargh, projector headlights = impossible to memorize. Every car with projectors looks the same in my rearview mirror. Until about 2011, that has always meant not a cop. Now it means, maybe a cop.

[snsr]

I think this is meaner looking than the caprice. Too bad Ford is going to tarnish the new SHO with this ****.

[eunos94]

Largest
All wheel drive
Motorized
EcoBoosted
Security
Taxi
Emergancy
Vehicle
EvAr
Revealed

Modified by eunos94 at 9:38 AM 3-12-2010

[abawp]

Quote, originally posted by Live-Wire »

Why do the seats look like something from a crappy rental cube van? I don't get this on any commercial vehicle... driver sits in the thing 8-12 hours a day, and they install the worst seats in the world.

Have you ever tried sitting in a seat that TCL deems "good" with a full-size service pistol attached to your hip? Nevermind the other bulky items strapped to the utility belt of a police officer. These seats look like a godsend compared to seats with big side bolsters.

[Knock Sensor]

Quote, originally posted by PassSedanGLX »

Because they need lots of torso and hip room so they can sit in the car without taking off all their gear.

Also for ease of getting in and out plus not destroying bolsters.

[JCJetta]

Quote, originally posted by Chmeeee »

Blargh, projector headlights = impossible to memorize. Every car with projectors looks the same in my rearview mirror. Until about 2011, that has always meant not a cop. Now it means, maybe a cop.

But if it has those neon/LED tell-tale strips at the bottom, it may help.

[mauwhir]

Photoshop PLZ

[Mazda 3s]

Quote, originally posted by UNBANNED_GERBIL »

Robocop will be pleased. He's been driving the same old clapped out taurus for over 20 years now

[ZoomBoy]

Quote, originally posted by Chmeeee »

Blargh, projector headlights = impossible to memorize. Every car with projectors looks the same in my rearview mirror. Until about 2011, that has always meant not a cop. Now it means, maybe a cop.

This is only an issue if your local agency actually gets these cars.

[ATL_Av8r]

Quote, originally posted by abawp »

Have you ever tried sitting in a seat that TCL deems "good" with a full-size service pistol attached to your hip? Nevermind the other bulky items strapped to the utility belt of a police officer. These seats look like a godsend compared to seats with big side bolsters.

But but but.....even cops need kidney-squeezing seats that look like a goddamn alien just the same as daily-driven grocery-getting FWD German compacts!

[Turbio!]

Quote, originally posted by Live-Wire »

Why do the seats look like something from a crappy rental cube van? I don't get this on any commercial vehicle... driver sits in the thing 8-12 hours a day, and they install the worst seats in the world.

Everybody else has already told you why, but do you actually think Ford didn't design this with the explicit guidance and input of law enforcement agencies?

[eunos94]

Quote, originally posted by Turbiodiesel! »

Everybody else has already told you why, but do you actually think Ford didn't design this with the explicit guidance and input of law enforcement agencies?

Well.... I'm sure they used their input but ignored their one request. A bench seat. For the above mentioned reasons. The center console still looks too high and will most likely interfere with the belts.

[SSLByron]

They did make considerable modifications to the center console, however. Look how high the edge is in this picture:

And the PI package for comparison:

[Chutzler]

While the console looks high, it looks slender, too. It might be skinny enough to stay out of the way.

[Knock Sensor]

Quote, originally posted by eunos94 »

Well.... I'm sure they used their input but ignored their one request. A bench seat. For the above mentioned reasons. The center console still looks too high and will most likely interfere with the belts.

Bench seat?

[SSLByron]

I have a hunch they also jacked up the seats a bit to make them more flush with the edge. Helps that the PI doesn't have to make allowances for headroom with an installed moonroof.

[Egz]

Quote, originally posted by uncleho »

1) Isn't this tunnel in Switzerland or Italy (I think I've driven it before.)? 2) Why is the cop in that lane?

That looks like the tunnel from Gran Turismo 1 for the PS1. Grand East or something like that?

[orly22]

I think it's funny how so many are saying oh it needs high bolsters, yeah right. Have you first as many mentioned seen what a cop wears? and second have you seen the size of most cops! Most of the cops and state troopers are fat as hell around here.

Also that console appears to have a moving armrest that can be flipped out of the way if need be.

[deftonesfan867]

Well...there went Ford's share of THAT market.

AWD and EcoBoost?!?

More things to go wrong..

[Impeccable]

To save $$$ I say delete the bumper leds and shoot maybe even delete the projector beam headlights with some cheaper free form headlights that used the same bulb as the outgoing crown victorias