For years, Police forces across the U.S. drove specially built Ford Interceptors based on the humble Ford Crown Victoria. Fitted with a powerful V-8 engine, they formed the backbone of many police fleets.
In the past year however, Ford’s Interceptor has undergone a change, replacing the aged Crown Vic for a Ford Taurus-based platform, and the gas-guzzling V-8 for a more fuel-efficient twin-turbo V-6.
But green most certainly won’t mean slow, according to the Michigan State Police.
As reported by the Automotive News (subscription required), the MSP pitted the 3.5-liter front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Interceptors -- as well as the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter all-wheel-drive Interceptor -- against cop cars from other automakers, including the 6.0 liter Chevrolet Caprice and 5.7-liter Dodge Charger.
EcoBoost V-6, 2011 Ford F-150
And while both the Charger and Caprice might won hands down on acceleration against the non-turbocharged Ford Interceptors, the twin turbocharged 3.5 liter all-wheel drive Interceptor put up a fight.
In fact, in a 0-60 mph dash, the greener cop car was just 0.09 seconds slower than the fastest cop car Detroit has to offer -- the Dodge Charger.
Admittedly, the MSP hasn’t detailed fuel economy for any of the cop cars it tested under pursuit circumstances, but given Ford’s EcoBoost engines are designed to give V-8 performance with V-6 fuel economy, we’re betting the Ford Interceptors represent huge potential for cutting a police force’s annual fuel bills.
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