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AUTOS: Ford Reveals Police Explorer
Police Interceptor SUV joins new Taurus police sedan to replace aging Crown Victoria in 2011.
Bob Golfen  |  Posted September 01, 2010   Chicago, IL
The Explorer Police Interceptor is Ford's first utility vehicle specially designed for the rigors of police work. (Photo: Ford)
Ford introduced its latest Police Interceptor vehicle today, a specially designed Explorer SUV that the automaker hopes will help it retain its domination of police vehicles after production of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends in 2011.

The “pursuit-rated” Explorer is the first utility vehicle designed by Ford for police use, and it comes as the SUV is changed over to unibody crossover construction from its previous full-frame truck design.

Earlier this year, Ford revealed its Police Interceptor sedan based on the Ford Taurus, designed to replace the ubiquitous Crown Vics in the nation’s police fleets. The longstanding full-size sedans are valued by police agencies for their sturdy construction, V8 power and roomy interiors.

Both new police vehicles will debut simultaneously in late 2011, and Ford says they will be offered without interruption when production of the Crown Victoria police car ends.

The Ford Taurus Police Interceptor, revealed in March, will come in front- or all-wheel drive. (Photo: Ford)
“The combination of both the sedan and utility versions of the Police Interceptor allows Ford to deliver a complete, diverse and efficient solution to all of law enforcements’ pursuit needs,” said Ken Czubay, vice president of Marketing, Sales and Service. “These vehicles were developed step-by-step with our valuable Police Advisory Board, so we have had customer feedback throughout the development process, and provided an efficient solution for fleet managers.”

The Police Interceptor utility vehicle is powered by a 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V6 with 280 horsepower and linked with a six-speed automatic transmission with lower-ratio initial gears for quicker off-the-line acceleration. The engine is rated at 20 percent greater fuel efficiency than the 4.6-liter engine in the current Crown Vic.

Both Police Interceptors pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing, as does the current Police Interceptor; several years ago, Ford was embroiled in a controversy over Crown Vic fuel-tank safety after several police officers were killed or badly injured in fiery post-crash blazes.

To cope with the rigors of police use, the police vehicles comes with heavy-duty suspensions, brakes and cooling systems as well as high-performance electrical systems. The interiors and cargo areas are designed to accommodate the equipment needed for police work.

The interiors also are designed to maximize officer safety and comfort, Ford said, with a Safety Canopy of air bags and specially designed seats with lower bolsters that make room for utility belts.

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