Ford strike back with police cars - Page 15

SteveJH · 24-09-2011, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

Heh, heh, we'll soon see.......September's sales figures for the PPV should be out in just over a weeek's time.
They will be lucky to be over 500, the competition is that fierce and everything comes down to price...

The only thing Holden can count on is small "Mayberry" Sheriffs indulging themselves....

I wish them luck. At the end of the day, as long as they arent losing money, volume is volume.

vztrt · 26-09-2011, 07:22 PM

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/25/d...gan-state-pol/

Quote:

Dodge Charger Pursuit claims its victories in Michigan State Police tests
By Aaron Richardson RSS feed
Sep 25th 2011 12:02PM

The Big Three are finally done one-upping each other in this year's Michigan State Police vehicle evaluations, with the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V8 laying down some heady numbers on the test track. The Charger emerged with the fastest lap time ever recorded in the Michigan State Police test's history, at 1:33.7.

That, boys and girls, is something else. The Chevrolet Caprice PPV may have the best top speed and braking, but the Charger has shown it has the chops to slice up the twisties as well. The Hemi-powered Charger also gets to 60 in under six seconds with the optional 3.07 gears.

The only strike against the Charger is that needed a V8 to post those numbers, while both the Chevrolet Caprice and Ford Interceptor employ less thirsty V6s. Full presser after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Sets New Performance Benchmarks In Police Vehicle Segment

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 records fastest lap time ever in Michigan State Police's Vehicle Evaluation Test history (1:33.70)
Fastest-ever lap time at Grattan Raceway highlights Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 as the police sedan with the best combination of acceleration, braking, handling and dynamics
Dodge Charger Pursuit V-6 delivers the fastest naturally aspirated or E-85 capable six-cylinder lap time
Charger Pursuit V-8 delivers the best-in-class acceleration needed for police-fleet duty, including 0-to 60 mph in under 6 seconds:
0-to-60 mph (5.83 sec)
0-to-80 mph (9.18 sec)
0-to-100 mph (13.65 sec)

*MSP's 2012 model year preliminary data
September 23, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Designed and engineered to be America's high-performance police vehicle, the new 2012 Dodge Charger V-6 and V-8 models set new levels of performance - including the fastest lap time ever recordered (1:33.70) - at Michigan State Police's (MSP) annual Police Vehicle Evaluation tests earlier this week at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich.

"Achieving the fastest-ever lap time at the Michigan State Police's annual Police Vehicle Evaluation test reflects the mission of the Dodge Charger Pursuit Team to equip our law enforcement officials with the absolute best combination of vehicle performance and tactical equipment," said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet, Chrysler Group LLC. "Even more impressive is that all four Michigan State Police Vehicle Test Team drivers averaged their fastest times in the Charger Pursuit – reinforcing the driver confidence provided when world-class acceleration, braking, handling and dynamics are combined."

In addition to the 370 horsepower and world-class performance and precision of the Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 model, the 292 horsepower Charger Pursuit V-6 models held their own around Grattan Raceway, averaging the fastest times for naturally aspirated (1:37.71) and E-85 capable(1:37.57) six-cylinder police cars.

Rapid acceleration is also critical to quickly catching up to target vehicles, and the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit V-8 leads the police sedan segment with the fastest 0-to-60 to 0-to-100 mph times.

0-to-60 mph (5.83 sec)
0-to-70 mph (7.38 sec)
0-to-80 mph (9.18 sec)
0-to-90 mph (11.43 sec)
0-to-100 mph (13.65 sec)

Continuing to build on the Charger's high-performance heritage and the 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit debuting at last year's MSP tests, the 2012 model features new performance improvements, including:

Optional 3.07 rear-axle ratio for increased acceleration with Pentastar® V-6 (2.65 standard)
Optional 3.06 rear-axle ratio for increased acceleration with HEMI® V-8 (2.65 standard)
Recalibrated engine controller (including a 151 mph max-speed rating) with HEMI V-8
New heavy-duty and higher performance brake pads with new silicone brake caliper boot to reduce brake fade and deliver improved performance and durability (late availability)
All-new police-specific designed front seats provide additional comfort, accommodate the equipment on the officer's duty belt, and provide the lateral support for performance driving
Full-color Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with an engine-hour and engine-idle hour meter
5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 100,000 mile spark plugs
New wheel hub for minimized deflection and less vibration when braking

About the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit
America's high-performance police vehicle - the 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit -provides law-enforcement with the best combination of tactical technology, safety, power, efficiency and an iconic design.

New for 2012, Dodge Charger Pursuit offers six all-new quality-tested and factory-installed police-equipment packages backed by the factory. In addition, 24 free-standing options allow for the customer to equip the Charger Pursuit to his or her specification.

The Dodge Charger features two uncompromised, high-performance engines that deliver world-class levels of power, refinement, technology and fuel efficiency.

Engineered to perform, the aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, offers E-85 flex-fuel capability and up to 27 highway mpg. For best-in-class power, the Charger Pursuit's legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology delivers 370 horsepower, 390 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-to-60 mph in under 6 seconds and up to 25 highway mpg.

With superior ride and handling, the Dodge Charger Pursuit features Chrysler Group's second-generation large car rear-wheel-drive architecture with performance-tuned suspension, load-leveling Nivomat shocks, heavy-duty anti-lock vented-disc brakes (ABS), front- and rear-stabilizer bars, 18-inch performance tires on steel wheels and two-mode police-specific Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Developed with the guidance of the brand's Police Advisory Board, the Dodge Charger Pursuit features a mobile-command interior with unique features, including a Vehicle Systems Interface Module for easy equipment integration, heavy-duty police-duty front seats and column-mounted shifter with Auto Stick.

In addition to its Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) "Top Safety Pick," the Dodge Charger Pursuit surrounds the heroic men and women who protect with uncompromising safety and security equipment, including standard advanced multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, seat-mounted side-thorax air bags, supplemental side-curtain air bags for front and rear outboard passengers and driver's knee bag.

News Source: Dodge

vztrt · 02-10-2011, 10:04 PM

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/30/2...-drive-review/

Quote:

2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
Anything But A Trivial Pursuit

By Chris Paukert RSS feed
Sep 30th 2011 11:57AM

There's something inherently satisfying about using a blunt force object for its exact purpose, be it ripping the cover off a baseball with a Louisville Slugger or bonking one of those animatronic pop-up varmints with a rubber mallet at the local arcade. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there's something equally satisfying about using a precise tool designed for an exact purpose, be it a Montblanc pen or a pickle fork. With the introduction of its 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV, General Motors is betting that law enforcement customers are willing to trade-in the former brand of satisfaction for the latter.

For decades now, an overwhelming majority of America's policemen and women have relied on the four-wheeled equivalent of a blunt object, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, as a primary tool in combating crime. Stubbornly resistant to change since its introduction during the Carter administration, the Crown Vic proudly rode its pig iron and scrimshaw frame into retirement earlier this month, a victim of growing legislative hurdles and slowing sales. Yet despite – or perhaps because of – its antiquated technology and crude construction, precincts far and wide have been clawing over each other to secure the last few examples.

GM believes it has a better way: 2012 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle. Company officials say they are so cognizant of the unique needs of law enforcement that they've designed and built this special pursuit vehicle specifically for their use. GM has divulged no plans to park a civilian version in your Bowtie showroom and you won't be seeing them in New York yellow, either. This is a purpose-built piece of kit. Of course, the truth is a bit more complicated than that. The Caprice PPV is actually a lightly modified version of GM's long-wheelbase Zeta sedans that are marketed in Australia as the Holden Caprice and in the Middle East as... well, a Chevy Caprice. GM recently offered ordinary U.S. consumers a shorter Zeta, in the form of the well liked but short-lived Pontiac G8, but it expired when its brand was shuttered.

GM invited us out to its Proving Grounds to play cops and robbers on the very same day that the pilot light was going out at Ford's Crown Vic plant. Coincidence? Rather than mull the question, we hightailed it out to Milford, Michigan to live out our childhood policeman fantasies and file this report.

STATS
Engine:6.0L V8
Power:355 HP / 384 LB-FT
Transmission: 6-Speed Auto
0-60 Time: 5.9 Seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 155 MPH
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Curb Weight: 4,259 LBS
Seating: 2+3
Cargo:17.4 CU-FT
MPG: 15 City / 24 HWY
MSRP: $31,495 base

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RASER · 03-10-2011, 08:46 AM

"Ford is the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold in each year in the U.S."

Those numbers would be enough to save the Falcon, they can use US built powertrain to keep LoCal US militant unions happy.

Ford are so dumb, GM/H saw this years ago and ran with it, Ford are living in lala land and digging its own grave for Aussie built vehicles

RASER · 03-10-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The reason they are ditching the Crown Vic is as of next year, the CV will no longer pass new crash tests, due to its ancient body on frame chassis.

I believe the C/Vic has the world record in rear end strength, it can withstand a 80MPH rear end impact, very impressive

Dont know about front end impact strenght though

Its simply ran out of customers buying them, the police market is to small to bother with

Wretched · 03-10-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

"Ford is the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold in each year in the U.S."

Those numbers would be enough to save the Falcon, they can use US built powertrain to keep LoCal US militant unions happy.

Ford are so dumb, GM/H saw this years ago and ran with it, Ford are living in lala land and digging its own grave for Aussie built vehicles

As has been mentioned time and time again, the Falcon is simply too small to be a police vehicle in the US hence the use of the Caprice/Statesman by Holden instead of the Commodore.

prydey · 03-10-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

"Ford is the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold in each year in the U.S."

Those numbers would be enough to save the Falcon, they can use US built powertrain to keep LoCal US militant unions happy.

Ford are so dumb, GM/H saw this years ago and ran with it, Ford are living in lala land and digging its own grave for Aussie built vehicles

yeah, 'cos gm/h are selling so many cop cars over there!

RASER · 03-10-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

As has been mentioned time and time again, the Falcon is simply too small to be a police vehicle in the US hence the use of the Caprice/Statesman by Holden instead of the Commodore.

But they are going to sell them even smaller Taurus??

Wretched · 03-10-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

But they are going to sell them even smaller Taurus??

Taurus is larger than the Falcon.

RASER · 03-10-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

yeah, 'cos gm/h are selling so many cop cars over there!

Holden are all hush hush with how many they are selling, not sure why, will take time to switch over from old habits

Its the best police car for sale in US and by a wide margin

One option you can tick on the police-pack, is a column-shift, so thats great news, it would now be possible to offer that in a Aussie ute, which means the bench 3 seater could be back in the future, and a 1 tonner body is possible for return?

The King of utes may well be back

prydey · 03-10-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

Holden are all hush hush with how many they are selling,

that in itself should tell you something. if they were selling in any sort of numbers, they would be shouting it from the rooftops. they were pretty vocal when the so called 'contract' was signed a year or so ago.

RASER · 03-10-2011, 09:48 AM

If you use the international formula for vehicle size, ie wheelbase you get:

Falcon......................... 2838mm
Taurus........................ 2868mm +3cm
Fairlane [NOT farm!]..... 2919mm +8cm
Falcon Ute................... 3104mm +27cm!

If they give us a order for 50,000/pc we can give them a real SUPER full size vehicle for police use, wont happen USA would rather buy American Made rubbish, rather than something from o/s thats superior, they live by:
Made In USA, thats a issue for the Caprice cop car no doubt.

Enjoy the Taurus, it will be the default choice in large sedans for Ford customers around the world, the Falcon will most likely be dead by the end of the decade.

Those wanting a Falcon Ute will be told to buy a Ranger [rather walk] take my business to The General, i want the bench seat please.

prydey · 03-10-2011, 10:10 AM

where did you get wheelbase figures from? i always thought fairlane, wagon and ute were all on the same wheelbase, and the current ute is on the falcon wheelbase.

Wretched · 03-10-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

If you use the international formula for vehicle size, ie wheelbase you get:

Falcon......................... 2838mm
Taurus........................ 2868mm +3cm
Fairlane [NOT farm!]..... 2919mm +8cm
Falcon Ute................... 3104mm +27cm!

If they give us a order for 50,000/pc we can give them a real SUPER full size vehicle for police use, wont happen USA would rather buy American Made rubbish, rather than something from o/s thats superior, they live by:
Made In USA, thats a issue for the Caprice cop car no doubt.

Enjoy the Taurus, it will be the default choice in large sedans for Ford customers around the world, the Falcon will most likely be dead by the end of the decade.

Those wanting a Falcon Ute will be told to buy a Ranger [rather walk] take my business to The General, i want the bench seat please.

Your numbers and these don't seem to add up.

Joe5619 · 03-10-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

"Ford is the market leader in the law enforcement vehicle segment, selling 45,000 of the 60,000 police vehicles sold in each year in the U.S."

Those numbers would be enough to save the Falcon, they can use US built powertrain to keep LoCal US militant unions happy.

Ford are so dumb, GM/H saw this years ago and ran with it, Ford are living in lala land and digging its own grave for Aussie built vehicles

Yeah, GM are sssoo smart they went broke!!

You need to realise the world is not focused on Australia & the Falcon!!

phillyc · 03-10-2011, 12:37 PM

People can say they should've fitted the F150 version of the Coyote 5.0 and the 6spd corporate auto to the Crown Vic. Sure, the performance and economy gains would be impressive.

But, the real issue with Crown Vic was that the various tooling in the factory was essentially worn out years ago. There is huge bucks tied up if they needed to replace that equipment. Money, better spent on / contributing towards another platform or derivative.

Ford are smart, they have shown their abilities under Alan Mullaly. They wouldn't walk away from the cop market if they didn't think their substitutes that they have lined up wouldn't do the job and make them more money.

**ebxr8240** · 03-10-2011, 01:05 PM

Did the Crown Vics the Police had have Windsor engines in some of them ???

phillyc · 03-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Did the Crown Vics the Police had have Windsor engines in some of them ???

It's predecessor, the LTD Crown Vic did. In 302 and 351 form.
The model produced from 1992 onwards had the 4.6L SOHC modular motor.

vztrt · 03-10-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

Holden are all hush hush with how many they are selling, not sure why, will take time to switch over from old habits

The numbers have come out each month. So far they have sold about 200 odd units. Nothing to justify the money that was put into this.

Bossxr8 · 03-10-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

If you use the international formula for vehicle size, ie wheelbase you get:

Falcon......................... 2838mm
Taurus........................ 2868mm +3cm
Fairlane [NOT farm!]..... 2919mm +8cm
Falcon Ute................... 3104mm +27cm!

If they give us a order for 50,000/pc we can give them a real SUPER full size vehicle for police use, wont happen USA would rather buy American Made rubbish, rather than something from o/s thats superior, they live by:
Made In USA, thats a issue for the Caprice cop car no doubt.

Enjoy the Taurus, it will be the default choice in large sedans for Ford customers around the world, the Falcon will most likely be dead by the end of the decade.

Those wanting a Falcon Ute will be told to buy a Ranger [rather walk] take my business to The General, i want the bench seat please.

The Caprice's biggest problem is its price, it is the most expensive vehicle out of them all and by a considerable margin.

This kills it to police forces which have massive budgetary constraints as it is.

jpd80 · 03-10-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyc

People can say they should've fitted the F150 version of the Coyote 5.0 and the 6spd corporate auto to the Crown Vic. Sure, the performance and economy gains would be impressive.

But, the real issue with Crown Vic was that the various tooling in the factory was essentially worn out years ago. There is huge bucks tied up if they needed to replace that equipment. Money, better spent on / contributing towards another platform or derivative.

Ford are smart, they have shown their abilities under Alan Mullaly. They wouldn't walk away from the cop market if they didn't think their substitutes that they have lined up wouldn't do the job and make them more money.

That's the problem Phil, Ford has been showing people that by reducing sales that they infact make more profit,
in the past two years, they have paid off $22 billion in debt and earned near 14 billion in profit, that $34 billion total.

By closing Saint Thomas and ending panther production Ford:
1) Avoids redesigning and upgrading the Crown Victoria for the 21st century
2) Reduces production capacity and 2,500 Canadian jobs
3) Adds more production to Chicago Assembly plant, a US plant full of UAW members
4) increases scales of economy on Taurus/Explorer platform

Before Ford even sell a new Police interceptor, Ford has saved a bundle on efficiency,
that is far more important to sustainability than continuing their big old RWD car.

It's a shame that some here still swallow the line that Taurus is coming to Australia,
the car is bigger than a Fairlane but that doesn't stop the desperate journos with red herrings.

US sales for September will be released early tomorrow, I'll post PPV Caprice sales then....

jpd80 · 04-10-2011, 07:29 AM

September 2011 US sales of Caprice PPV..........140

LINK to GM sales and deliveries for September

Joe5619 · 04-10-2011, 07:48 AM

I really hope that number picks up, otherwise it is going to be another massive loss for Holden this year..

prydey · 04-10-2011, 09:31 AM

according to that link, thats 498 year to date. i wonder why holden are being 'hush hush' about it??

mik · 04-10-2011, 09:58 AM

10.37 a week cars a week if your figures are correct Prydey, not really a glowing figure, but every bit helps i guess.

Windsor220 · 04-10-2011, 10:24 AM

So when exactly does the old Crown Vic run out and the new Taurus come into play?

jpd80 · 04-10-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

according to that link, thats 498 year to date. i wonder why holden are being 'hush hush' about it??

They hyped up the interest so much that the truth is too painful to admit,
I can think of 200 million reasons why that is the case....

Also for the technology fans,

Volt...723 sales