In just two years, Ford has revolutionized the police-vehicle market by equipping much of its Police Interceptor lineup with standard all-wheel drive, which works full-time for greater mobility and security; adding more fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines; and introducing two new body styles — including a popular utility vehicle.
Ford police vehicle sales grew 48 percent in 2013 – 9 points of market share — while industry police sales rose 22 percent, according to Polk registration data. Ford Police Interceptor utility was the bestselling police vehicle in the United States in 2013, outpacing overall industry sales.
“We revolutionized our police vehicle lineup with three key changes that differentiate us from the competition,” said Jonathan Honeycutt, police marketing manager at Ford. “The new utility vehicle body style meets officers’ growing storage needs; standard all-wheel drive for most models is an industry-first that provides greater mobility and security; plus, expanding the range of EcoBoost engines gives law enforcement agencies more options to suit their needs.”
After decades of success with its reliable Crown Victoria — a, large, V8-powered, body-on-frame sedan — Ford made a strategic decision to modernize its Police Interceptor with not one, but two distinct body styles: a traditional, pursuit-rated large sedan and a new, pursuit-rated utility vehicle.
In 2013, Ford’s police utility vehicle represented 60 percent of all Ford Police Interceptor sales, and was the bestselling police vehicle in the country.
The New Norm: Standard All-Wheel Drive
Another decision also has paid dividends — both for Ford as well as the safety of its agency partners. In an industry-first, the company now offers standard all-wheel drive for Police Interceptor utility and sedan models, on vehicles equipped with a 3.7-liter or 3.5-liter EcoBoost. Police agencies have taken notice, and approximately 90 percent of all Police Interceptors sold come equipped with standard all-wheel drive.
The final piece of the company’s reinvention of the police vehicle market is its introduction of fuel-efficient, yet powerful EcoBoost engines. In recent Los Angeles County Sheriff Department testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicle were fastest in both 0-100 mph acceleration runs and average lap times for a third consecutive year.
In addition, the 3.5-liter and 3.7-liter nonturbo offerings provide increased fuel economy ratings over outgoing models, helping municipalities with potential savings on fleet fuel costs.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost Special Service Police Sedan offers an impressive EPA-estimated rating of 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. This Special Service vehicle combines the durability of Police Interceptor sedan with the efficiency of a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which can help save fuel even while delivering 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2.0-liter special service vehicle comes with many of the same features and technologies as the Police Interceptor sedan, such as a 75-mph rear crash test rating, two times durability testing, police-tuned suspension, police brakes, steel wheels, police interior and upfit options.
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