Ford has revealed America’s first pursuit-rated hybrid Police Interceptor.
Its hybrid batteries are specially placed inside the vehicle so they do not compromise passenger or cargo space.
The all-new Ford Police Interceptor Utility hybrid responds to calls from law enforcement agencies for improved performance, but with lower operating costs.
It also reflects Ford’s plan to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid or both versions for every new utility in North America.
“We’re committed to electrifying vehicles for all customers, including law enforcement who need the high performance and low operating costs that Ford’s next-generation hybrids will excel at providing,” executive vice president of Product Development and Purchasing, Hau Thai-Tang, said.
“Standard all-wheel drive is important because crooks don’t stop when it rains.”
The Police Interceptor Utility is yet to receive an official fuel economy figure, but the new hybrid is expected to deliver a projected 24 mpg or 9.8L/100km in our money.
That’s a 40 percent improvement over the current 3.7-litre V6 used by police..
Anticipated fuel economy gains, combined with expected fuel savings from reduced engine idling time, are expected to help save law-enforcement customers an estimated $3200 per vehicle in yearly fuel bills.
Ford says if you applied these savings to every Police Interceptor Utility sold in 2017, it would equate to more than $126 million.
Sales of the Ford Police Interceptor Utility have increased five per cent, building on five straight years of sales growth and capturing 65 percent of the total US police vehicle market.
With no perceivable downside, the all-new Ford Police Interceptor Utility hybrid is projected to accelerate faster, achieve a higher top speed and have at least 40 percent better fuel economy than the previous V6-powered model, helping catch lawbreakers and reduce costs.
The new hybrid utility also reduces engine idling time to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary.
They hybrid can power demanding electrical loads from lights, computers, radios and other equipment using its lithium-ion hybrid battery, allowing the petrol engine to shut off and intermittently run to charge the battery.
The Police Interceptor Utility hybrid is calibrated for law enforcement’s unique duty cycle.
It automatically switches to maximum performance, with the engine and battery working at peak acceleration levels when needed.
In addition to improved performance and no trade-offs in utility, cargo and passenger space, the Police Interceptor Utility features exclusive 120km/h rear impact protection for safety.
Other cool gadgets include:
- Police Perimeter Alert – enhances previous Surveillance Mode by using the vehicle’s Blind Spot Information System that can monitor approximately 270-degrees of movement outside the vehicle, and analyze motion to determine potentially threatening behavior. It features a visual display in the instrument cluster that shows moving objects, the motion trail, and threat level. When suspicious behavior is detected, the vehicle automatically sounds a chime, rolls up the windows and locks the doors
- Rear Camera on Demand that allows officers to see what’s happening behind the vehicle
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