2013 Police Interceptor becomes newest police vehicle
The next generation of Ford police vehicles will soon hit the streets.
Drivers, be aware. You’ll no longer be able to spot the well-known Crown Victoria when you’re cruising the roads. Instead, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Ford’s newest police vehicle line, the Police Interceptor.
Ford finished production of the first 2013 Police Interceptor Sedan, which replaces the Crown Victoria, in January.
During development of the new vehicles, Ford engineers worked closely with Ford’s Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals, which provided input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality. To ensure durability, the vehicles underwent certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Ford has made several changes to the police vehicles in order to improve performance of the Police Interceptor. The brakes have been increased in size and the radiator is now larger. Ford has removed the lower bolster in the front seats to accommodate officers’ utility belts, and seatbacks include anti-stab plates to protect front-seat occupants. For additional safety measures, Ford engineered the vehicles to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing.
The interior of the Police Interceptor includes a column shifter, customized seats to accommodate officer’s utility belts and a media center to accommodate electronic accessories.
Back seat occupants now have more leg room since Ford has set back the second row seats. Additionally, the back doors open 10 more degrees on the Police Interceptor than on the Crown Victoria.
Police can choose from two powertrain options for the Police Interceptor. The 3.5-liter V6 engine offers at least 263 horsepower and E85 compatibility, while the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine delivers at least 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range.
Other features in the Police Interceptor include Ford’s Safety Canopy side-curtain airbag rollover protection system with multiple side-curtain airbags, a high-capacity six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission, a heavy-duty alternator, a honeycomb grille, 18-inch vented steel wheels, column shift to provide more space for aftermarket police equipment, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Cross-traffic alert, a rear view camera, Reverse Sensing System, Standard AdvanceTrac electronic stability control and Ford SYNC.
The Police Interceptor line also includes an SUV, the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.
For more information, visit ford.com.
