- A new series of six YouTube webisodes featuring the 2011 Ford Police Interceptor show real police officers test-driving the Ford vehicle and its competitors and then bad-mouthing the Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicles.
- The uniformed officers who appear in the webisodes were "not paid for their participation," said Ford in a disclaimer.
- The riveting webisodes show cops getting stuck in the Chevrolet Tahoe as they attempt to navigate a gravel-filled course and griping that the Charger is "somewhat lethargic."
DEARBORN, Michigan — Taking a page from reality TV, Ford has released six YouTube webisodes that show real cops bad-mouthing the Chevrolet Tahoe and Dodge Charger police vehicles and raving about the 2011 Ford Police Interceptor. The Dearborn automaker says the police were "not paid for their participation" in the riveting webisodes.
In one webisode entitled "Dog Bone," the cops get stuck in the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV as they attempt to navigate a gravel-filled course. Another cop gripes that the Dodge Charger is "somewhat lethargic" after test-driving it. The Tahoe is also castigated by the men in blue for being "top heavy," while the Charger is knocked because "she seems kind of heavy."
"It was pretty sick, man," says Don Spence, a Dundee, Michigan police officer and Iraq war veteran, after test-driving the Ford Police Interceptor.
"I'm a believer," says Chris Whaley, a member of the Ontario Provincial Police, after his turn in the Ford.
Perhaps the most critical part of the exercise is Ford's disclaimer at the beginning of the webisodes. "The following demonstrations feature real police officers," it said. "They were not paid for their participation. Their comments and opinions are their own."
In a statement, Ford said it turned its new Police Interceptor — which is based on the 2011 Ford Explorer and Ford Taurus — over to "authorities for a series of competitive driving exercises against the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and Dodge Charger Pursuit, proving that Ford's Police Interceptors are up for any challenge."
The two-day test-drives were conducted at Ford's Arizona Proving Ground in Wittman.
The webisodes are compelling viewing for consumers because they provide insight into how police think when they are behind the wheel and what they look for in a vehicle.
The Ford Police Interceptor is due to hit the streets late this year. It is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Ballistic door panels are optional.
Inside Line says: Expect retaliatory webisodes from GM and Chrysler. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
capnbuknutz says:
08:56 AM, 03/11/2011
@copmotor
My minimal understanding of what's accepted as "pursuit-rated" is simple whether the vehicle has performed at, and passed either the Michigan State Police or LA County Sheriff's Dept evaluations.
capnbuknutz says:
08:53 AM, 03/11/2011
@m1tank
The cockpit of the Ford sedan is adequate. It was great for me but I'm only 5'10". What I liked was that the seats were very comfortable. They've used a different kind of foam in the seat back to accomodate a duty belt and equipment we carry on it. The car was packed with everything you'd use on the streets: two long gun mounts, mobile workstation, radar, in-car camera, etc. It gave you a feel of what it would be like on patrol and it was designed well. The best feature, in my mind, was leaving a number of steering wheel mounted controls available for programming. That means you can activate emergency lights, siren, even police radio with both hands on the wheel. The utility was equipped the same way and had ample space. I actually prefer the utility over the sedan. I like a higher seating position and its more versatile. Still performs like a sports car though. I didn't experience any brake fade during the test drive and believe me, we were hard on them.
m1tankr says:
08:01 AM, 03/11/2011
@copmotor
There is no standard for pursuit rating standard that I've ever heard of or could find. It's up to the manufacturers to rate them as such. What it means is that the manufacturers will warranty them for pursuits & that they are cerifying them as being pursuit capable/competent. All the manufacturers know the Michigan State Police tests are the general standard that all of the departments pay attention to. If they fail in those tests they've shot themselves for any police sales. So they can game the system, but they don't do it much. Most of the time it means the tires/suspension/cooling system/brakes can put up w/the abuse of high speed pursuits. It's not the fastest car that wins the pursuit. It's the one that is still in 1 piece at the end. :)
turbocop says:
06:29 AM, 03/11/2011
Reply to "dgmail":
What is the nature of your research into Carbon Motors pricing? The company has been crystal clear that they will not announce pricing until they get closer to production. This is perfectly logical - when was the last time you saw official pricing announced more than a few months before a new vehicle comes out? The company has also said that pricing will be competitive with a fully-outfitted law enforcement vehicle that is available today. This, too, seems logical - how would the company expect to be successful if their product is priced too high?
You quote $73,000 - please state the source of the information you "looked into". Also, what makes you think that a FULLY-OUTFITTED, as the Carbon E7 will be, Charger will be half the price of a Carbon E7? Do you know all of the costs that go into a law enforcement vehicle to make it completely patrol ready?
I think this company has done their homework - let's all wait for the straight scoop before jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information.
dgmail says:
03:53 AM, 03/11/2011
labaht,
Did you do any research on pricing of Carbon Motors?
I saw Autoline Detroit about a year a go and the CEO was very vague about the price when he was questioned.
I looked into it more and they start at $73,000.
For that kind of money you can almost get two Charger pursuits.
Add to that reloading all of your replacement parts and training your service personal for diesels and it dosn't make sense.
An inquiry is not a sold order.
You sound like you are pretty anti Domestic.
Your last name isn't Leinert, is it?
dgmail says:
03:46 AM, 03/11/2011
Gee wizz.
A test held at Ford proving grounds, by Ford engineers, in Ford vehicles.
And the "posted" results are all negetive to anything that is not Ford.
What a surprise.
Nothing wrong here.
Yeah right, and I think Acura is doing a good job (sic)
copmotor440cid says:
01:17 AM, 03/11/2011
@ capnbuknutz
Thanks for the clarification. What exactly is needed for a vehicle to gain a pursuit rating?
m1tankr says:
08:46 PM, 03/10/2011
@ labaht
So far the Carbon is vaporware for almost 4 years & the estimated price keeps jumping. Last we heard was it was close to 100k, but Carbon isn't saying. Cost will be the deciding factor. Maintenance, replacement parts, purchase, & mechanic training costs.
@ Capn
What was the your opinion on the cabin? Room for gunbelt, prisoners, cage, shields, etc? What was it comparable to? Were they stripped out ones or was the interior loaded up w/cage/divider, etc? Brakes? I always hate that the CVPI's brakes would fade so bad after a few hard hits. What do you think about the stability control, intrusive on the road course? Any feedback in street durability? Although that'll probably just take normal street abuse. Thanks for any answers.
subytrojan says:
06:11 PM, 03/10/2011
The Chevrolet Caprice/Pontiac G8 would destroy the Taurus.
capnbuknutz says:
05:04 PM, 03/10/2011
Sorry, the Tahoe and Charger dont come in an AWD version that is police pursuit approved.