2018 Police Vehicles Tested in Michigan
October 3, 2017
Any new police vehicle entering the market must measure itself against existing models in a crowded field. It must perform up to the task of pursuing subjects on various terrains at higher speeds and in dynamic situations.
For law enforcement agencies that purchase the vehicles, the process must go beyond the marketing claims made by manufacturers.
Each fall, law enforcement agencies in Michigan and California provide such a measuring stick in the form of extensive police vehicle testing that's designed to provide unbiased data to those purchasers. The Michigan State Police's Precision Driving Unit in September, then the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department in October, run these vehicles through a battery of testing for acceleration, top speed, braking, dynamics, and ergonomics. The agencies then produce comprehensive reports.
The process also provides feedback to manufacturers to help them make them make their products more competitive.
"A new vehicle entering the marketplace wants to be compared against all of those, because it’s a pretty big sales tool for all of the manufacturers to say 'Hey we're going after the speed, carrying capacity, that type of thing,'" said Lt. Mike McCarthy, who oversees the Michigan testing as commander of the Precision Driving Unit. "Both of the publications are looked at by hundreds if not thousands of agencies before they make that purchasing decision."
The market for pursuit vehicles has grown since the days of the Ford Crown Vic Police Interceptor that was retired after the 2011 model year.
The 2018 model year will include seven sedans, four SUVs and four motorcycles that have been offered in previous years. Additionally, three new police vehicles hope to gain ground as an option for an officer during the pursuit of a fleeing subject.
Ford Motor Co. is offering its Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and F-150 Police Responder pickup – the first gasoline-electric hybrid and large pickup put through the testing – and Yamaha is introducing its FJR1300 sport touring motorcycle.
These three vehicles have been confirmed for the respective lineups. A fourth vehicle tested in Michigan, a pursuit version of the Dodge Durango, may be offered in 2019, said Dodge law enforcement associates who brought that vehicle to Michigan.
Let's take a closer look at the crop of sedans, SUVs, and a pickup truck offered by various manufacturers as 2018-MY vehicles.
Dodge Considers Pursuit Durango
Fiat Chrysler's Dodge unit brought a Dodge Durango, which could be offered as a 2019-MY pursuit vehicle if all goes according to plan. Dodge representatives attending the Michigan testing declined to provide full details about how the vehicle is different from the 2017 Durango Special Service. Both vehicles are powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that delivers power via an eight-speed transmission to a rear-wheel or available all-wheel drive system. Dodge will release more details later this year.
Photo of pursuit Dodge Durango by Paul Clinton.
"It's a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with an all-wheel drive option," said David Callery, FCA's program manager for police and emergency response vehicles. "To get through the tests, the vehicle has to hold up to the rigors of daily patrol. We believe it's equal or superior to the other vehicles out there."
The Durango V-8 with AWD reached a top speed of 120 mph, zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, and zero to 100 mph in 17 seconds. It was sixth in zero to 60 mph and sixth in zero to 100 mph. In brake testing, the Durango needed 133.94 inches (11.1 feet) to stop, which was fifth.
In the dynamics testing, the Durango averaged 1 minute, 42 seconds (1:42.10) over the four laps, which was 11 out of 14.
For 2018, Dodge will offer several upgrades to the Charger Pursuit, including an enhanced Office Protection Package that alerts an officer about someone approaching the rear of the vehicle as standard equipment. FCA is upgrading the dashboard display to 7 inches (from 5 inches) and adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Street Appearance package. A rear backup camera now becomes standard equipment. The Fleet Safety Group that includes a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and Rear ParkSense will be offered as a no-cost option. In addition, the rear camera can now remain active at up to 8 mph or 10 seconds and can be turned on at higher speeds.
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