Ford has been supplying police vehicles for a good number of years now, as you’ve probably seen in numerous movies over time. With more emphasis on improving fuel efficiency and emissions, the Blue Oval has unveiled the new Police Responder Hybrid Sedan to meet such growing needs.
Touted as the first pursuit-rated hybrid police car, the emergency response vehicle is based on the Fusion Hybrid, and powered by a 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle engine assisted by a single electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
This isn’t just a show car that will be paraded at events either, as Ford is pretty serious when it says, “pursuit-rated.” The hybrid police car is capable of handling the standard battery of police department tests to ensure it’s fast and sturdy enough to take on police pursuits.
These tests include one for durability, 48 km/h raiload-crossing, reverse J-turns, 8-inch curb impacts as well as water fording in 18-inch and 10-inch depths at speeds of 24 km/h and 64 km/h, respectively.
The hybrid powertrain is also calibrated to run in battery-only mode at speeds of up to 96 km/h. However, should the situation demand it, the car will automatically switch to maximum performance mode, delivering peak acceleration levels. Oh, it even gets a police-tuned regenerative braking system with 17-inch rotors and twin-piston calipers.
Of course, when the car isn’t engaged in a pursuit, the batteries will allow the engine to shut off for brief periods of time while keeping all the electronics (lights, computers, radios, etc.) running. Ford says this could lead to USD3,877 in potential fuel savings, per vehicle, per year.
The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan also gets an assortment of dedicated equipment in order to carry out it duties, including front deflector plates; police-purposed wheels, tyres and hubcaps; heavy-duty suspension components; rugged upholstery; anti-stab plates in the front seat backs; heavy-duty front door tethers and easy-clean vinyl seating and flooring, among other things.
Ford will debut the cars in New York and Los Angeles, while other departments can get their hands on the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan when it goes on sale this spring, and will be delivered next summer.
The hybrid police car is just one of the carmaker’s efforts to promote electrification in its vehicle line-up. The company has announced a USD4.5 billion investment and plans to introduce 13 new electric vehicles globally in the next five years, including the F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid, Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, a self-driving hybrid, and fully electric small SUV.
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