- The 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit — and a raft of Mopar police packages — was unveiled on Wednesday.
- The Charger Pursuit targets the 2011 Ford Police Interceptor.
- The 2012 Charger Pursuit can be equipped with either a 292-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 370-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8.
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — The 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit — and a raft of Mopar police packages — was unveiled on Wednesday.
The 2012 Charger Pursuit targets the 2011 Ford Police Interceptor, which is slated to go on sale in early 2012.
The 2012 Charger Pursuit can be equipped with either a 292-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or a 370-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8. In comparison, the Taurus-based Ford Police Interceptor gets either the standard 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 or the optional 365-hp EcoBoost V6.
Dodge and Mopar are offering six new police-equipment packages for the 2012 Charger Pursuit. The packages feature emergency lighting, audible warning, communications and safety equipment. In addition to the packages, Mopar is offering 24 parts for the police vehicle, including a push bumper, trunk cooling fan and grille lights. Pricing has not been released.
"Our partnership with Mopar to produce these six police packages takes the car to the next level by allowing our customers to customize their cruisers to meet their specific needs," said Reid Bigland, Dodge Brand president and CEO in a statement.
The battle between Ford and Chrysler to provide the fleet for law enforcement may come down to fuel economy — not high performance -- in an era of financial cutbacks. Chrysler noted that the base 2012 Charger Pursuit returns 27 mpg on the highway. The EPA has yet to rate the car.
Ford said in a statement earlier this year that its new Interceptor "can save America's law enforcement agencies millions of dollars a year in fuel costs."
While Ford has yet to reveal fuel economy numbers on the Interceptor, it said that it expects a gain of "20 to 25 percent over the (outgoing) Ford Crown Victoria police car." That model, which is equipped with a 250-hp 4.6-liter V8, is rated at 14 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway.
The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge on Wednesday said the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline stood at $3.65 versus $2.68 a year ago.
Inside Line says: You get a better look at what you'll be seeing in the rearview mirror with the unveiling of the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit.
Add A Comment »
illoxyill says:
07:49 PM, 09/12/2011
What the hell ever happened to the caprice?
1919diesel says:
11:29 AM, 09/08/2011
I saw a couple of the new Chargers on the road this summer - Highway Patrol. As BAD-A%$ as the old Charger looked, the new one looks even meaner & nastier, especially in police trim. While I would hate to be pulled over by one of these, but I have to admit, I LIKE IT!!!!!!!
rayzor says:
06:52 AM, 09/08/2011
Nice, hate to see one of these with its lights flashing in my rear view mirror though, LOL!!
jm1212 says:
07:47 PM, 09/07/2011
If i have to pick a V6, i'd rather have the Charger. if i had to pick the uplevel engine, the SHO would win.
threemopars says:
06:38 PM, 09/07/2011
"Trunk cooling fan? To keep perps comfy?"
4th photo should explain it.
mrhuangsta says:
02:29 PM, 09/07/2011
high horsepower police cars... dang it.
jjg4 says:
01:04 PM, 09/07/2011
Take the push bumper and make a new General Lee!
k55 says:
09:24 AM, 09/07/2011
and now for the inevitable Mad Max Interceptor version as a backup ........
blueprint1 says:
09:22 AM, 09/07/2011
Trunk cooling fan? To keep perps comfy?
City mpg is a killer for cruisers. Police inspectors in Montreal are driving Nissan Sentras, 2.0S with CVT. They have the LED police lights inside the car, like all unmarked cruisers. Patrol cars are still Crown Vickies and Impalas. Cheapest price tag wins, hence no Chargers so far.