Ford Police Interceptor Utility is first pursuit-rated hybrid
Ford has launched their Ford Police Interceptor Utility in the States. It is the first pursuit-rated hybrid SUV to ever make it onto the force. It is said to offer officers more speed and higher powers as well as some special police features.
So far, electrified vehicles serving in the police force are mostly patrol vehicles or for community outreach. The Ford Police Interceptor Utility is different though as it is made for the chase. Ford say they want to offer hybrid of PHEV versions of all utilities in future.
“We’re committed to electrifying vehicles for all customers, including law enforcement who need the high performance and low operating costs that Ford’s next-generation hybrids will excel at providing,” said Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president of Product Development and Purchasing.
In this case, Ford has added police-specific features and says that the hybrid powertrain has been calibrated specifically for law enforcement’s duty cycle. On top, it can automatically switch to maximum performance when needed.
They also added a new Police Perimeter Alert system, that can monitor approximately 270-degrees of movement outside the vehicle and analyse motion to determine potentially threatening behaviour. When indeed detecting such behaviour, the vehicle sounds a chime, rolls up the windows and locks the doors.
Sales of Ford Police Interceptor Utility rose 5 percent in 2018, capturing 65 percent of the total U.S. police vehicle market.
The all-new Ford Police Interceptor Utility hybrid is projected to accelerate faster, achieve a higher top speed and have at least 40 percent better fuel economy than the previous V6-powered model, helping catch suspected lawbreakers and reduce costs.
It also reduces engine idling time to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary. The hybrid can power lights, computers, radios and other equipment using its lithium-ion battery, allowing the gasoline engine to shut off and intermittently run to charge the hybrid’s battery.
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