Ford Introduces EcoBoost Interceptor Utility

[Harley#356]

If you just can't wait, here's a place where you can create your own... enjoy!
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Thanks, but those look nothing like the OEM lettering at all.

 

[Sgt1411]

I recently returned from the Cops West show in Ontario, CA and had the pleasure of attending the Ford Police Interceptor ride & drive event at the Fontana Speedway. All models of the Ford Police vehicles were in attendance which included the new Ecoboost Utility. Power was great as well as handling with phenomenal brakes. The vehicles were run driver after driver on a tight closed course which included serpentines, sweepers, and tight corners. The brakes held up run after run with no fade or loss of feel. I drove the non-Ecoboost models (sedan & utility) first to get a feel for the vehicles. Then I moved over to the Ecoboost track. There was a big difference in power but honestly the base 3.7L would work fine for the majority of depts. out there.

There was one question that I forgot to ask the Ford engineers that maybe SGT1411 can answer. Will a Class III tow package be offered on the Interceptor Utility?

Good question I will submit that to the engineers.

From what I remember there was liability issue with offering a tow hitch on a pursuit rated vehicle. The Ford lawyers told them not to.

They want you to add an after market hitch so it removes their liability.

The extra heavy duty cooling and transmission are all part of the Interceptor package so its just the hitch you would be getting.

I will confirm though.

 

[ibuytoys]

Thanks for checking SGT1411. Also I've been reading here on the forums that it might be prewired for the trailer lights if the reverse sensors are ordered.

 

[Sgt1411]

Confirmed the Interceptor Utility is NOT pre-wired for TOW setup.

For the previously mentioned liability issue.

Second issue is the rear bumper facia does not have the cutout that the retail Explorer has to allow access to the hitch area in the OEM TOW Package.

So you not only have to wire it but also cut out the rear bumper facia.

Bottom line they don't want people towing with an Interceptor model.

Thats why they offer the F150 SSV package with TOW for Law Enforcement.

 

[ibuytoys]

SGT1411, thanks for the info!!

 

[Jon M]

It's actually amazing how well the PI Utility has done for North American Law Enforcement sales. Ford has now almost 70% of the Police market and they gain every month now.

GM is almost non-existent, while Dodge has taken over the Police Sedan market as the Charger is a better sedan than the PI Sedan.

Police market really does have an influence on next-gen Explorer.

I'm still surprised we never saw the 3.7L PI V6 offered as an option for the Explorer Limited or XLT

GM is non-existent? Local PD is 98% Caprice and Tahoe in new vehicles. They bought a few PIUs, for patrol sgts I think, while everyone else, including K-9 is in Caprices. City of North Charleston, and at least two of the three counties are all in Caprices. City of Charleston has mostly PI sedans, but also a few Caprices. I haven't seen a new Charger around here in several years. There are a few 4 - 5 year old ones, and older ones, along with a ton of CVs, of course. I think the state might be buying Chargers, though I've seen some PI sedans. I haven't seen a marked Caprice in state colors.

 

[Sgt1411]

GM is non-existent? Local PD is 98% Caprice and Tahoe in new vehicles. They bought a few PIUs, for patrol sgts I think, while everyone else, including K-9 is in Caprices. City of North Charleston, and at least two of the three counties are all in Caprices. City of Charleston has mostly PI sedans, but also a few Caprices. I haven't seen a new Charger around here in several years. There are a few 4 - 5 year old ones, and older ones, along with a ton of CVs, of course. I think the state might be buying Chargers, though I've seen some PI sedans. I haven't seen a marked Caprice in state colors.

Chevrolet is non-existent in the North American Police market, yes, that's a reference to how diminished their presence is now. The Caprice/Impala is gone shortly and the PPV Tahoe has a very small footprint across US and Canuckistan. It's big in Texas because its built in Arlington and they give deep discounts to Texas residents and Agencies. Chevrolet also couldn't unload the Caprices so they almost gave them away and Municipalities with budget issues bought them

Dodge Charger Pursuit is gaining ground on Fords PI Sedan because they have really done good job on their Charger Pursuit.

That agency you mentioned that's using Caprices for K9......that is brutal, that's not good for the dog or the handler.

 

[1995E]

GM is non-existent? Local PD is 98% Caprice and Tahoe in new vehicles. They bought a few PIUs, for patrol sgts I think, while everyone else, including K-9 is in Caprices. City of North Charleston, and at least two of the three counties are all in Caprices. City of Charleston has mostly PI sedans, but also a few Caprices. I haven't seen a new Charger around here in several years. There are a few 4 - 5 year old ones, and older ones, along with a ton of CVs, of course. I think the state might be buying Chargers, though I've seen some PI sedans. I haven't seen a marked Caprice in state colors.

I agree with Sgt1411. Chevy really has no market compared to Utility and Charger. Their niche is the Tahoe. In Baltimore MD, an officer responding on scene in a winter storm in 2016 distinctly told me that the Impala and the Caprice are the only cars the department could really afford. The Ford PI vehicles have a premium price to them. However, in the better funded departments, you usually see Explorers, Chargers, and Tauruses. I know MD state troopers had a tight budget for a time but now they buy a lot of Explorers. They had Caprices for top speed and affordability for their budgets. Tahoes are somewhat popular for K9 units. MD state troopers and in my county use them mostly for unmarked units. Also, the Tahoe is preferred mostly when a body on frame vehicle is needed. However, due to its higher center of mass and low cornering abilities, it's not a preferred chase vehicle.[/QUOTE]

 

[Jon M]

Chevrolet is non-existent in the North American Police market, yes, that's a reference to how diminished their presence is now. The Caprice/Impala is gone shortly and the PPV Tahoe has a very small footprint across US and Canuckistan. It's big in Texas because its built in Arlington and they give deep discounts to Texas residents and Agencies. Chevrolet also couldn't unload the Caprices so they almost gave them away and Municipalities with budget issues bought them

Dodge Charger Pursuit is gaining ground on Fords PI Sedan because they have really done good job on their Charger Pursuit.

That agency you mentioned that's using Caprices for K9......that is brutal, that's not good for the dog or the handler.

The officers here in Mt Pleasant, where we definitely don't have funding issues, between the income levels of the tax base and tourism, they LOVE the Caprice, especially the 6.0L. They have 3.5L unmarked for the detectives, and the 6.0L marked for patrol and traffic. I can see funding being an issue for N Charleston, but Charleston too, and they're buying Fords.

K-9s lived in CVs for decades. The K-9 systems for the Tahoe and PIU are still back seat only.