Ford to unveil new Police Interceptor Friday

Staying true to Ford's earlier promise to release details of a new purpose-built Police Interceptor in the first quarter of 2010, Ford has confirmed to Leftlane that a new Police Interceptor will be unveiled to a special group of fleet customers in Las Vegas this Friday. The unveil is not open to the public or media, and Ford stopped short of disclosing any details on the vehicle aside from its name: Police Interceptor.



Leftlane reported in mid-November last year that Ford was hard at work developing what they referred to as a "purpose-built Police Interceptor." The news followed confirmation that the long-in-the-tooth Crown Victoria - based on the Panther platform - was set to go away in 2011.

When Ford first announced the demise of the Crown Victoria, they tested waters by suggesting their new Taurus would be an ideal replacement for law enforcement and taxi cabs around the nation. Law enforcement agencies voiced concerns over the more complex structure, engine technology and unibody design - forcing Ford back to the drawing board.

Ford has dominated sales in the law enforcement community for decades, largely because it was the only automaker producing a vehicle with the attributes desired by law enforcement. Unlike most modern cars which utilize a unibody platform, the Crown Victoria is based on a body-on-frame platform, allowing for added strength and lower costs for repairs in the event of a collision.

According to a new report by the Detroit News, Ford will in fact unveil a Taurus-based Police Interceptor on Friday, but stopped short of providing any details on the vehicle. Given the lukewarm reception last time Ford suggested a Taurus interceptor, the report may lack crucial details about unique changes to the Taurus to make it a viable replacement - if Ford did in fact decide to base the Police Interceptor on the Taurus.

GM already unveiled their answer to law enforcement's question of what the next police cruiser of choice will be. GM unveiled a Zeta-based Chevrolet Caprice Patrol Vehicle, or PPV, at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. Chevy's answer comes in the form of a Holden-sourced vehicle that can be ordered with either a V6, or a 6.0-liter 355 horsepower V8.

Ford promised to release details to Leftlane on the new Police Interceptor following the reveal at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday.

References
1. 'Ford to reveal new Police...' view