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2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility is Here to Serve and Protect

Mirroring what we presumed based on a teaser pic released at the beginning of the month, the FoMoCo people’s Chicago Auto Show unveiling came in the guise of the all-new for 2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility. Ready to hit the streets this summer, the crime-fighting SUV is a seriously wicked piece of four-wheeled law enforcement.
2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility 10 photos
Photo: Ford
2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility
Officially dubbed 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, this Explorer has been developed with input from the Ford Police Advisory Board to take extreme enforcer action without breaking a sweat. It’s redundant to wonder why the police force was asked to help developing the SUV if you consider that the Utility still is the best-selling police vehicle in the United States.

Are you interested in the entry-level variant and its 3.7-liter V6 with 304 horsepower and 279 lb-ft (378 Nm) of torque? Neither are we. What is worth talking about is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 lump, which is rated 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of twist. Vector in the standard all-wheel drive system that was developed to deliver lots of low-speed traction and you have yourself a fast-accelerating machine.

Arie Groeneveld, the 2016 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility’s chief engineer, declared that various things, “from the heavy-duty suspension and powertrain offerings, to the unique steering and transmission calibrations, Ford Police Interceptor Utility is built to provide any law enforcement agency a vehicle ready to meet extremely demanding needs.” Howbeit, there’s a lot more substance to this Chicago-built SUV.

The six-speed automatic gearbox has an operating mode labeled Pursuit Mode

Sounds menacing already, doesn’t it? To put it simply, Pursuit Mode is engaged automatically when sensors detect aggressive modifications to the brake line pressure, lateral acceleration and deceleration rates.

Besides more dramatic upshifts and downshifts, Pursuit Mode also enhances the driver's attempt of making a reverse J-turn (the scenario when a reversing automobile is spun 180 degrees and continues, face forward, without changing direction of travel). Do you feel lucky, punk?

Dirty Harry quote aside, the 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility also boasts with a beefed up braking system, large-diameter springs, as well as ballistic shields built to Level III specification installed in the driver and passenger doors for protection against gunfire. On an ending note, no, that dog isn’t standard kit.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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