Even cops can benefit from good gas mileage.

Ford is adding its 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine to a "special service police" sedan that, the company says, will achieve best-in-class fuel economy.

That is, as long as the police don't need to chase down potential perps: the 2.0-liter EcoBoost version of the Ford Police Interceptor (known the Taurus to civilians) will not be pursuit-rated.

EPA ratings for the new engine won't be available until December, but Ford expects a rating of 23 mpg combined (20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway).

A non-police Taurus equipped with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost and standard six-speed automatic transmission is rated at 26 mpg combined (22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway).

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost produces 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque in both police and civilian specification.

2014 Ford Special Service Police sedan

2014 Ford Special Service Police sedan

The Police Interceptor is also offered with the Taurus' naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 (288 hp, 254 lb-ft), and the Taurus SHO's 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 (365 hp, 350 lb-ft).

The V-6 police cars are offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; Ford did not specify whether all-wheel drive will be available on the 2.0-liter EcoBoost sedan.

Ford says the smaller engine will save police departments $5,040 in fuel costs over three years, assuming 30,000 miles driven each year (often common for police fleet cars) and gas prices of $3.65 a gallon.

However, Ford's four-cylinder cruiser won't have to work all that hard to win the title of most fuel-efficient police car on sale.

The Ford's main competitors, the Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle and Dodge Charger Pursuit, use large-displacement naturally-aspirated V-6 and V-8 engines.

In its press materials, Ford compares the 2.0-liter EcoBoost sedan to the Crown Victoria, long a favorite of police and the car the Taurus-based Police Interceptor replaced.

With a 4.6-liter V-8 under the hood, the Crown Vic was rated at a dismal 17 mpg combined (14 mpg city, 21 mpg highway).

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