CHP Chooses Ford Interceptor Utility

[Sgt1411]

For those in California you better start learning the Explorer headlight pattern and what it looks like in your rear view mirror.

CHP is going all Interceptor Utility's.

This is a big deal because many other big agencies across North America will follow this.

http://m.motortrend.com/features/aut...ser/index.html

[Tbars4]

..I've already seen them in service as marked and unmarked vehicles already on our local freeways..

[bilzy7]

Lol they'll be sweating when their ac and fans go. Lol recalls!!

[Sgt1411]

Originally Posted by Tbars4

..I've already seen them in service as marked and unmarked vehicles already on our local freeways..

Most of those are the retail Explorers like ours. Some Agencies couldn't wait to try the new Explorer so they bought retail, and they have the 3.5L V6.

Interceptor Utility Explorer has 3.7L V6 and the tell tale sign its a real Interceptor is the steering column shifter

[jrmexplorer]

Originally Posted by Sgt1411

Most of those are the retail Explorers like ours. Some Agencies couldn't wait to try the new Explorer so they bought retail, and they have the 3.5L V6.

Interceptor Utility Explorer has 3.7L V6 and the tell tale sign its a real Interceptor is the steering column shifter

That's good news! Now you can talk yourself out of a ticket by helping the officer reboot his MFT system.

[Sgt1411]

Originally Posted by jrmexplorer

That's good news! Now you can talk yourself out of a ticket by helping the officer reboot his MFT system.

Police Utility has no MFT, Thank god.

[boltsfan17]

I haven't seen any in service yet in my area. I have noticed the CHP around here have been replacing the crown victoria's with the Dodge Charger. I live outside of two National Parks and the SUV's I've seen the CHP use are the Chevy Tahoe. The Explorer Interceptor looks really cool from the video I saw on Youtube. I did read the CHP will be purchasing around 1,800 Explorers within the next few years to phase out the crown vic.

[LeFurg]

From what I understand, they're supposed to start being phased in over the next 2 years beginning in October 2012.

[Sgt1411]

Originally Posted by boltsfan17

I haven't seen any in service yet in my area. I have noticed the CHP around here have been replacing the crown victoria's with the Dodge Charger. I live outside of two National Parks and the SUV's I've seen the CHP use are the Chevy Tahoe. The Explorer Interceptor looks really cool from the video I saw on Youtube. I did read the CHP will be purchasing around 1,800 Explorers within the next few years to phase out the crown vic.

What you saw was the test vehicles being rotated around the various stations across the State. CHP is well known for a very extensive testing process that, besides the 2 FORD'S, involved the new Dodge Charger and the "Pursuit" 2WD Tahoe.

Its a very big deal to get that CHP contract because many smaller agencies dont have the budget to test vehicles as well as the CHP do. So those smaller agencies simply replicate what the CHP purchases.

This might be the turning point whereby many agencies move from an older 4 dr sedan rear wheel drive platform to the newer AWD Explorer.

I have driven the Intercepter version of our Explorers and you guys would be amazed at how well its programmed to be a true AWD compared to our retail FWD versions.

Now if we could just get the Police Interceptor engine/transmission programming for ours that would be outstanding!

[Spengracin]

For our county Sheriffs dept. the testing finished last month. We had a " down under impala" very fast car. ( similar to the v8 series racers), the interceptor utility ex, but no Taurus? Also had dodge charger. Sgt right, it was a retail version of the ex, but the rep. Stated they would have another demo of the actual, ready by August?

[Sgt1411]

Yes your right its hard for the Ford Government Account Reps to get demo's because demand is taking up all production.

Interceptor Utility is selling more then the sedan because of the storage, cargo capacity, combined with sedan like handling.

[rjcooperss396]

My brother is a CHP officer and he told me that they had to go with an SUV platform because once they added all the necessary equipment the cars they tested were all over the DOT weight limit for their class. Then in testing of the SUVs the Explorer was the only one that they weren't able to roll over.

[kustomiser]

i am in the process of outfitting two utility's and 15 sedans for the local police dept. the only major problem i have had is with the headlights and the corner led lights. not much room in the headlights to put extra lights in there. 2 of the sedans are the eco boost interceptors and i will tell you those cars will sprout wings. the extra cross braces in the utility's make a great deal of difference in the handling as compared with a regular explorer.much stiffer when cornering

[Sgt1411]

Originally Posted by kustomiser

i am in the process of outfitting two utility's and 15 sedans for the local police dept. the only major problem i have had is with the headlights and the corner led lights. not much room in the headlights to put extra lights in there. 2 of the sedans are the eco boost interceptors and i will tell you those cars will sprout wings. the extra cross braces in the utility's make a great deal of difference in the handling as compared with a regular explorer.much stiffer when cornering

Have you downloaded the latest Police Modifiers Guide from Ford Fleet Website?

[kustomiser]

yes but there are problems with the manual and the units as built. i had the ford engineer at the shop for two days and seems that the units that were built before may 2012 may not have all the wiring harness for the police packages. also the head light assembles require a 2000.00 lighting package for the utility.there are three headlights available for the utility the standard projector, the police projector and the hid lighting system. the police headlights come in two versions. predrilled and "ford solution headlight" the ford solution headlight does not have turn signals or parking lights, they require a two color led light amber and white the amber provides the turn signal and the white provides the wig wag. this option was not available until may on the police order forum

if you want a copy of the drawings that the ford engineer left me pm me and i can get them to you

[LeFurg]

Originally Posted by rjcooperss396

...Then in testing of the SUVs the Explorer was the only one that they weren't able to roll over.

...A rather large step forward from 10-15 years ago..

[Sgt1411]

Yes, very true.

Its a credit to the engineering team who have actually made a SUV (Utility) handle like a Sedan

No one gets that until they get to actually drive it.

It will be interesting to see but many predict the Utility will surpass sedans in the police market over the next few years.