The Police Interceptor is a very different animal from the Crown Vic though. Instead of V8 power and body-on-frame construction, users of the Taurus-based Interceptor will get a choice of two 3.5 litre V6 engines: either 263 horsepower with front wheel drive, or 365 horsepower with all-wheel drive. The latter comes with Ford’s EcoBoost twin-turbocharger technology, which manages to increase power while equalling the fuel economy of the normally aspirated version.
Despite the changes, Ford is claiming the Police Interceptor will outperform its predecessor in the areas of durability, safety and performance.
“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.
The reference to being ‘engineered and built in America’ is obviously a swipe at Chevrolet, whose Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) will be available from the beginning of 2011. Although the Caprice will be available with a 6.0 litre V8 and have rear wheel drive, it has been engineered in Australia by GM’s Holden subsidiary and will be built there too.
However, that should be of little comfort to those working at the Ford facility in St Thomas, Ontario, Canada. With the demise of the Crown Victoria their factory, which produces it, is to close. Manufacture of the Police Interceptor will take place over the border at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.
