Following the reveal earlier this year of two all-new police vehicles – the 2019 Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and the 2018 Ford F-150 Police Responder – testing by the Michigan State Police confirms Ford is first to offer law enforcement agencies a pursuit-rated hybrid police car and full-size pickup truck. From local patrolling to on-road pursuit to off-road capability, law enforcement agencies nationwide have said they need a wider variety of pursuit-rated vehicles.
Pursuit ratings are determined by vehicle manufacturers. Ford then uses a third party to validate its claims. So last month, in Michigan State Police testing – which includes a grueling 32-lap pursuit simulation at Grattan Raceway – Ford’s pursuit rating for both vehicles was confirmed. The simulation tests overall vehicle durability, including powertrain, suspension, brake and tire systems. In acceleration testing, preliminary results show the new Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan bested the once-ubiquitous Crown Victoria by more than one second in 0-100 mph performance – 23.1 seconds versus 24.4 seconds.
Other pursuit-rated Ford police vehicles also aced testing by the Michigan State Police. Not only does the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan retain its title for the sixth straight year as overall quickest police vehicle in 0-60 mph testing, preliminary results validate the Ford Police Interceptor SUV as quickest in 0-60 as well – a tie with the new F-150 Police Responder pickup.
All three of these pursuit-rated vehicles are powered by Ford’s now-legendary 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Police Interceptor Sedan did the 0-60 run in 5.6 seconds, while Police Interceptor Utility and the F-150 Police Responder needed only 6.3 seconds to hit 60 mph. Fastest overall lap and fastest average lap honors once again go to the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan.