Don't Try to Outrun the Ford Police Interceptor Utility
Ford’s produced exceptional law enforcement vehicles for over 70 years. How does the safety, power, and performance of their 2022 hybrid police car measure up?
explains that the “on-board electrical equipment can be powered using the lithium-ion hybrid battery, allowing the gasoline engine to shut off—running only intermittently to charge the battery.” Suited for all driving conditions, the Intelligent AWD drivetrain provides excellent traction and handling stability.
, “many departments require their vehicles to meet what’s called a "purchasing spec." Vehicles must meet certain requirements to be eligible for patrol but still have enough performance to be effective when responding to more dangerous situations.”
The Police Interceptor Utility has an all-wheel-drive, 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, and can accelerate to 60 mph in under 5.5 seconds. In 13.5 seconds, the vehicle can reach 100 mph!
Comparatively, it’s not as fast as the Wrangler 392, but the EcoBoost Police Interceptor beat out the Dodge Charger Pursuit, which boasts 380 hp and a V8 engine.
The Ford Police Interceptor Utility pulled out all the stops
The laptop display has been replaced with a streamlined system that doesn’t require any special software to operate. The 12.1-inch Integrated Computer Screen frees up a lot of space in the cabin, which allows laptops to be relocated to the rear cargo. It’s also a touchscreen, so a keyboard may no longer be necessary.
As we’d expect, it offers hands-free Bluetooth to allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. Other available features include a rear camera (Rear Camera on Demand) that can be activated with the touch of a button and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. According to Ford, “for unique law enforcement demands, a switch allows the feature to be temporarily disabled.”
The Police Perimeter Alert is an improved version of Surveillance Mode. According to Ford, “It uses BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) sensors for approximately 270-degree monitoring outside of the vehicle and analyzes the motion to determine if a behavior is a potential threat.”
The display shows motion trails, moving objects, and what their potential threat level may be. If a potential threat is detected, the system sounds a chime, rolls up the windows, locks the doors, and activates the Rear View Camera.
Ford offers a complimentary two-year Ford Telematics subscription with every new Police Interceptor Utility. This tool supports fleet professionals by providing essential data on vehicle health, CO2 emissions, and potential fuel savings
The exterior is available in a variety of paint colors, much more than we expected for a squad car. The 17 shades include a bright Vermilion Red, Light Blue, Royal Blue, and Arizona Beige.
The all-wheel-drive Ford Mach-E police prototype vehicle cranks out 480 hp. If you've heard of the Ford Mach-E GT, it's pretty much the same thing, sans blue and red lights. In four seconds it can reach 60 mph and reach 100 mph in 11.9 seconds. The specs are calculated with equipment inside the vehicle in mind.
After around 18 miles, officers can expect the battery to drop about 30 percent. Not too bad, “but today's infrastructure still needs a boost in chargers and charging time for EVs to act as a complete replacement for patrol duty,” Car and Driver Reports.
Close behind is the Ford F-150 Police Responder pickup. It takes 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph and 14.3 seconds to hit 100 mph. It’s slower than other pickups on the market, but the other trucks aren’t sporting push bars on the front. Car and Driver notes, “Unlike the Explorer FPIU, the F-150 Responder has a 400-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 with 500 pound-feet of torque.”
The 2022 model is seen as a significant improvement over last year’s F-150 Police Responder. It can reach up to 120 mph, instead of 105 mph. And it also ramped up to 60 mph quicker than the previous 6.6 seconds.
You can expect to see more fully electric police vehicles patrolling the streets in the near future. With a focus on
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