Actually they mentioned AWD and twin turbos. I am wondering about the reliability of those items. I agree with Mike, I think Chevrolet is going to be right back into the police car business. I dont believe the Impala is being discontinued, so they will have both flavors (FWD & RWD) to choose from. Dodge is also working on a updated Charger. I did find it interesting on the site, the mention of the CV being the car of choice after 1998. Considering GM had gotten out, I think they became the most popular be default. Michigan's annual vehicle tests should be interesting next year, especially if Carbon Motors enters the arena.



Jerry
91 X-CHP
#8990 (For Sale)

Not sure if this was a typo or not but I just read "18 inch vented disc brakes". 18 inch brakes???? not sure the steel wheels on this thing are even that big.

I had the pleasure of riding in one of our 500s yesterday. It has 80K miles on it, and the agent assigned to it is retiring this summer (he's past mandatory, and he didn't want to accept a new car) . The car hasn't been abused or used for regular LE work. He had it floored on the way up the freeway ramp and we were literally at 40mph. Apparently, the warning light for the "drivetrain", including AWD, has been coming on and off for awhile, and I'm not sure if it was in a "limp home" mode or what.

I know they lost the CVT and changed the engine line-up, but I can't see these cars lasting like the CV's do.

Mike, it'll be interesting to see how the new Taurus chassis and drivetrain stands up to police use. From what I've read, the new Police Interceptor is a totally different car than the 500 that it replaced. Only time will tell if the new PI will be as durable as the outgoing CVPI.

Bill,

It's the same platform (D3) as the 500, and the rebadged "Taurus" 500 as well.

Here's an article from Popular Mechanics that discusses it.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/4322503

The police car is Taurus-based.

Thanks for the link Mike. I was told the new Taurus and the Lincoln MKS were a different chassis than the previous 500/Taurus. Thanks for clarifying that.

Still, the new Taurus sounds like it is a very different animal than the 500/Taurus (even in that article). I have yet to drive the new Taurus (which the PI will be based upon), but I'm hopeful that the new PI will be a suitable replacement for the CVPI.

The prospect of switching to a front wheel drive cruiser is not one ANYBODY that I know is looking forward to. I am pushing for the Chargers or 2 wheel drive Tahoes for my agency. I think Ford is going to lose a huge chunk of the market with this bone headed move away from rear wheel drive.

It looks like I will be attending the MSP police car testing later this year to see how this car stands up against the competiton.

No prob.

I was hopeful before the announcement was made....

Top speed and braking are great, but I think the durability factor is a big one. I think that they should add a curb-jumping event. :)

I got a mini brochure in the mail from Ford on the new PI

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ever/Page1.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ever/Page2.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ever/Page3.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...ever/Page4.jpg