Town and city police in hybrids

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Strange how some urban police have always managed to do bike & foot patrols...

Yes there is a huge difference in what you see and hear on foot Vs. driving around with the windows up and A/C on.

[Clev]

Originally Posted by ConnClark

One of the big requirements for a cop car is that it be a four door model and big enough to have a cage in the back seat. Not too many hybrids fit this requirement.

Another requirement is that they be rear wheel drive for performance and handling on pavement. Again most hybrids do not fit the bill.

In big cities cops don't transport the criminals. They call for a van to pick them up and take them to jail.

Unfortunately, the Crown Vic is probably the best suited to that duty. Roomy enough, powerful enough, reasonable aero. The body-on-frame design means that it can still be repaired economically when unibody cars have to be sent to the crusher.

If they had replaced the gas guzzler and 4-speed auto with a smaller Ecoboost engine with auto start/stop and maybe a tiny NiMH pack (just enough for the start/stop and to run the A/C and 12V accessories without running the engine), and put in a more efficient transmission, it would probably get twice the overall mileage for not a lot more money.

[p38fln]

This is the last month that Ford is building the Crown Victoria anyway -
Ford's replacing it with the FWD Taurus, an even larger car.

If the police want more power, they can get the 3.5L Ecoboost Taurus with AWD, and if they need more room the Explorer is also available as the "Police Utility" - note this is the NEW unibody Explorer, not the older body-on-frame model, and shares a lot of components with the Taurus.

Ford is intending the cars to be used like this -
Base FWD 3.7 L V-6 - Routine city patrols
Premium AWD 3.5 L V-6 - Highway Patrol, high speed pursuit

The Explorer based units would be used like the police currently use their SUV's (K-9, drug enforcement, evidence collection, etc) with FWD and AWD versions.

Supposedly, the larger Taurus based PI goes faster (better acceleration, not a better top speed), stops faster, maneuvers better, and uses less fuel than the Crown Victoria it's replacing, and still maintains its 75 MPH rear crash rating. it's also got a larger interior and more trunk space.

Get used to this headlight style in your rearview mirror -

[brucey]

I really wish the police would not only use ford taurus'.. but give them a flat spray paint job.

[pletby]

Isn't that a Tempo?

[Frank Lee]

No- this is a Tempo