Bad Ass Police Car Set For Production -

[jitzy]

Originally Posted by Silound

You have some excellent points, however there are a few things that add to the problem for departments. Police cars MUST have several extra features you don't usually think of, because of the nature of the beast. It doesn't help that Chevy stopped producing the only vehicle made by the Big3 that was a competitive model until 2004 (year?) when the Impala was redesigned.

Speaking of, the Impala was actually a serviceable DOWNGRADE due to the unibody construction and smaller engine (not that it really matters since the car has a 130 MPH governor). The Crown Vic has a separate body that is attached to the frame (the frame individually supports and carries the weight of the engine, drive train, and all other features not associated with the body and passenger compartment) called body-on-frame (or something similar), similar to what commercial trucks and SUV's use, which makes it far more durable and easier to repair. This is important for the occasional use of ramming other cars, blocking things in, or other heavy physical activities. The only downside is there are no crumple zones, which is why the entire frame is double reinforced to apply more force to the impacted rather than the police car.

Police cars also have to withstand having over 100,000 miles per year put on them. I know that seems too high or too low, but consider that's 275 miles per day, and most shift officers are driving around for an 8 hour shift. Highway troopers put well over 500 a day according to a friend of mine (retired sheriff's deputy in Louisiana). So not only does the car have a LOT of miles put on it, but it will need more reliable heavier parts that require less repairs.

Extras including tac cage, gun mounts, Kevlar paneling and steel panel seat design, external oil-to-coolant exchanges, heavy duty transmission, double reinforced frame and body mounts, heavier shocks and struts, and lastly, an internal fire suppression system are present. All of this adds nearly 800 pounds to the P71 over the civilian model, and all of it is the direct result of necessity and preventative measures.

Is there a better vehicle out there for the job? Possibly, however there isn't a production vehicle tested yet that can withstand the modifications and torture that a Crown Vic can, and Ford has no competition to produce something better. And no department cares about creature comforts, the cars are about functionality.

I feel that, even though I hate Ford with a passion, if the Police Interceptor Crown Vic has been the car used by law enforcement for the past 25+ years with no real competition stepping in, they must be doing something right in the long run.


Edit to add that anything new has to be cheap, because Ford is tooled up for and can make Crown Vics all day for a pittance. Some new flashy car may be a great thing, but having one of them vs. multiple new CV's is a no-brainer to budget-bound police departments.

I really don't think any dept car is doing 500 miles a day but I could be wrong