(March 7, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford, the leader in the police vehicle market, is putting the company’s all-new Police Interceptor sedan and utility up against the competition in six action-packed webisodes that debut today.

Cameras rolling, Ford turns its all-new Police Interceptors, which debut later this year, over to the 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.

Officers test Interceptor power and performance on a black lake simulating slick conditions, capability and durability in the Dog Bone gravel pit, and acceleration, handling and braking tests on a tight, aggressive cone course.

“We set out to develop our new Police Interceptors to not only meet the current leader — our own Crown Victoria — but to exceed it and the competition,” said Lisa Teed, Ford Police Interceptor marketing manager. “As we prepare for one of the biggest launches in our history of developing police vehicles, we’re committed to remaining the nation’s largest provider. These videos prove our new vehicles are purpose-built, capable, and deliver the safety, technology and performance officers need to excel at their jobs.”

Proven on and off camera, Ford’s Police Interceptor sedan and utility have been put through their paces, undergoing a battery of torture tests to ensure the vehicles’ individual components can hold up to rigorous driving. Certification testing designed by the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department proved out the durability and capability of the vehicles through a variety of punishing tracks.

With the launch of the all-new sedan and utility Police Interceptor, Ford now provides a complete package of performance and capability designed to meet the diverse and ever-increasing needs of law enforcement agencies across the U.S. Ford’s pursuit-rated utility brings versatility to law enforcement in times where resources are constrained and agencies have to do more with less.

Ford’s portfolio provides departments the ability to select the vehicle that best meets their needs. Agencies can now select from a combination of two bodystyles, all-wheel drive (AWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD), and multiple powertrains delivering at least 20 percent more fuel efficiency than the 4.6-liter single-overhead-cam (SOHC) V8 offered in the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Ford’s new Police Interceptor utility vehicle is equipped with the highly efficient 3.7-liter V6 engine. This Ti-VCT engine, delivering at least 300 horsepower and E85 compatibility, is mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission that combines lowered initial gears for improved off-the-line acceleration and higher gearing for improved efficiency at lower engine rpm when cruising.

For the sedan, officers will have their choice of a highly capable 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering at least 280 horsepower and E85 compatibility, or the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine delivering at least 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a broad rpm range.

Both Ford Police Interceptors will be manufactured at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant and will debut after production of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends at the end of 2011.    

Video links:
Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 1 – Performance & Handling:
http://www.youtube.com/v/Bx8-QZfPwwc
Officers test power and performance on the handling course in Ford Police Interceptor sedans with standard 3.5-liter V6 and optional twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, and the Ford Police Interceptor utility with 3.7-liter V6

Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 2 – Wet Pad:
http://www.youtube.com/v/7Tsbf6gTKG8
On a giant skid pad flooded with water, officers push the limits of handling and control in a Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility, Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and Dodge Charger Pursuit

Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 3 – Dog Bone:
http://www.youtube.com/v/H1wcUi-KIzs
The unmatched capability of the all-wheel-drive, pursuit-rated Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility are demonstrated in the Dog Bone gravel pit

Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 4 – City Pursuit:
http://www.youtube.com/v/QJkvMNF_yvU
Officers test the acceleration, handling and braking of the Ford Police Interceptor sedan and utility, the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and Dodge Charger Pursuit on a tight, aggressive cone course

Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 5 – Officer Protection:
http://www.youtube.com/v/PsL0H_4egCU
The next-generation Ford Police Interceptor is built to protect officers in the event of a crash, and engineered to help them avoid a crash before it happens

Ford Police Interceptor Official Test Drive 6 – Purpose Built:
http://www.youtube.com/v/0sZGOJEAVT4
Two distinct Ford Police Interceptor models, on one common platform, are designed and engineered from the ground up to help officers do their jobs better