The new Dodge Charger really has revolutionized the modern day police car.

 

Ford has been very lazy. Maybe when Chevrolet dropped out (for the most part) of the police car business back in 1996, Ford just laid back, put it's feet up, put its hands on top of its head, and smiled. Why wouldn't they?

Chevy stopped making the Caprice to focus on the SUV's whose sales were beginning to skyrocket. They transitioned the plant into one that built trucks. Made sense at the time; make the trucks that will make more money for GM and its stockholders. Well, with gas prices at almost $3.00 per gallon and SUV sales dropping, maybe it wasn't a great idea. Hindsight is 20/20 though.

Now, who was everyone going to turn to to get their taxi's, their police cars and their retirement rides? Ford. That's who. It seemed as though Ford could (and did) say: "Why improve a vehicle that has little or no competition in the marketplace?" 

Well, because of cars like the new Dodge Charger, that's why! I predict the Charger sales will eventually surpass those of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI.)

I think Ford was blindsided by the Charger and now they are caught with their pants down, and their doors blown off!

The Hemi Charger has everything a police car should have: speed, comfort, plenty of room, four doors and a handling based rear wheel drive train. The current Crown Vic has had no major changes in quite some time. It still has a modest 4.6 liter engine, producing 200-something horsepower. Just like it did 10 years ago. It still runs 0-60 in the mid 8 second range. Just like it did 10 years ago.  Yes, Officer's driving current day CVPI will find themselves trailing behind 4 cylinder Miatas and XRS Corollas in the 0-60 runs. I know I sure wish the CVPI had more get up and go off the line. Of course, vehicle performance will vary vehicle to vehicle depending on different factors, including the gear ratio selected (3.27 vs. 3.55), manufacturing variations and driver inputs. But overall the CVPI is slower than it could be and slower than it needs to be.

I for one, was hoping the all aluminum 4.6 liter 302 horsepower V8 that was used in the short-lived Marauder found its way into the Police Package Crown Vic. The V6 Impalas and V6 Intrepids are (very) few and far between up here in Massachusetts, despite the benefits front wheel drive provides in a climate like New England's that has snowfall 4-6 months a year. Complaints about these vehicle's that I have experienced or heard of include: lack of room, lack of power and pick up, electrical issues with a (seemingly) overtaxed battery/alternator system (Impala) and handling that falls short of, really, any rear wheel drive car.  I have spoken with Troopers from both the Massachusetts and New Hampshire State Police and it seems like Hemi Chargers are being slowly integrated into their respective fleets. As indicated, I think Hemi Charger Police Package sales will soon pass Crown Vic sales as fast as it will pass the actual cars. All but the die-hard Ford fans will quickly move to the Charger if they have anything to say about what cars their cops drive.
 

But Ford offers Kevlar lined door panels! Well, not that I'd like to test this theory...... (I do work with some guys who I'll volunteer though) but my SWAT guys tell me that they have fired all day at standard car doors with all kinds of (conventional) rounds and none seem to find their way through. Again, if I could have Kevlar-lined titanium doors (a'la Robocop) I would. But is it worth the extra cost? Maybe. Probably. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a MOPAR maniac and I'm the first to endorse and support officer safety. I do like the Ford CVPI. But decisions on what kind of police car to purchase shouldn't be based on a gimmicky option like that. 

I like the Charger much better. It's a 21st Century police car with 21st Century looks, (much) faster 0-60 times, a higher top speed and, despite having an engine that's bigger by more than a liter, better fuel mileage. 20/25 vs. 18/23 mpg, city/highway. This is due, in part to Dodge's MDS which, like Chevy's DOD (Multi Displacement System and Displacement On Demand respectively) shuts down 4 of the 8 cylinders in the engine under light throttle input. I think it's a better vehicle overall.
 

My advice to the folks over at Ford's Police Advisory Board?

Sit up, put your feet down, wipe that smile off your face and start brainstorming.