Anyone expecting a "purpose-built" 2011 Ford Police Interceptor to be a new-from-the-ground-up will be disappointed to see that it's a modified-to-purpose Ford Taurus. So purpose-built takes on the meaning of "it's not just a Taurus with a light bar."
The changes to the standard Taurus read in part like the Jake and Elwood Blues police special. It's got cop brakes: brakes have been increased in size and performance. It's got a cop (bigger) radiator and more open grille. A larger alternator accommodates the extra drain on the electrical system from all of the communication, computing and extra lighting equipment of a cop car. It's got cop wheels: the 18-inch steel wheels are vented to keep the cop brakes from overheating on the job. No word on cop shocks yet. However, with all the equipment needed to do the cop job lately, we'd expect heavy-duty cop springs as well.
Ford will offer a choice of engines in the Police Interceptor, either the 3.5-liter V-6 engine standard in the 2010 Ford Taurus or the 365-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ V-6 used in the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.
About 90 percent of the interior is designed specifically for the Ford Police Interceptor, making room for all the cop equipment--the Police Interceptor gets a column shifter, for example--plus removing the lower bolstering for the driver's seat to make room for the cop belt with all its policeman toys. The front seatbacks are also stab proof, something that's usually not required for a civilian Ford Taurus.
The Ford Police Interceptor also gets a special perp bench. Explains Ford: " The vinyl seats are specially sculpted and set back to improve second-row space and maximize legroom. The back door hinges are modified to open up another 10 degrees versus traditional rear doors."
The crucial test of a cop car, however, is approval by the Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, whose blessing is the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for police cars.
Traditionalists will still be able to get the Ford Crown Victoria-base Police Interceptor until late 2011 when Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant takes over making the new "purpose-built" Police Interceptor.
Meanwhile Chevrolet is going into production with its own new cop car, the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Patrol Vehicle. And of course, Lamborghini has a police vehicle of its own as well.
Ford promises more information closer to the changeover date and says an SUV-based police vehicle will be offered as well, countering the Chevy Tahoe-based police truck. Meanwhile, pictures of the new Ford Police Interceptor have been provided for your examination. If you flip the picture horizontally, you can see what it will look like in your rearview mirror.
Illustrations: 2011 Ford Police Interceptor. Photo credit: Ford Motor Company.
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