Photo: North Carolina State Highway Patrol | Instagram
The police forces in North Carolina will now have one more ace up their sleeves in their attempt to catch perpetrators. They will be driving Ford Mustang GTs. However, they need drivers!
Ford has been rolling out several vehicles specifically designed for police over the years. They have recently opened the order banks for the Police Interceptor Utility. However, the Ford Mustang has never been one of the specifically designed models.
Back in the 1980s, Ford used to offer the Special Service Package for the Mustang, which included components specific to law enforcement duty. It currently offers the SSV trims for the F-150 and Expedition. But not for the pony car. However, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol believes it can do the job.
Therefore, Ford Mustang GTs wearing police liveries will be deployed across the state in the upcoming months. There will be 25 such examples, all of them powered by the 5.0-liter V8 engine, which pumps out 440 horsepower (446 metric horsepower) and 398 pound-feet (540 Newton meters) of torque.
The active-valve performance exhaust takes the output all the way to 486 horsepower (493 metric horsepower) and 418 pound-feet (566 Newton-meters). Those should be enough for the police officers to chase and catch perpetrators.
Photo: North Carolina State Highway Patrol | Instagram
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol made the announcement on its Instagram account. That is also where it shared several photos of the Ford Mustangs wearing the police livery in silver and black, with the "State trooper" lettering and logo on the doors.
The cars ride on the 19-inch Carbonised Gray-Painted Aluminum Wheels with Brembo brake calipers, which are included in the GT Performance Package. This package is a $4,995 option and also includes an electrically operated hand brake, front tow hook, a radiator grille in Ebony Black, and a Performance Raised Rear Wing, painted in the body color. A Torsen differential, a unique chassis tuning, and unique Stability Control, EPAS, and ABS tuning are also on the menu.
There is no information referring to the transmission chosen by the police officers, but the ten-speed automatic would probably make things easier while chasing criminals instead of the six-speed manual.
With this equipment and no other option boxes checked, the Mustangs would start at $50,790. The cost of these new vehicles is comparable to other vehicles currently deployed as part of the Patrol's fleet, the police claim. The announcement also informs social media users that the NC State Highway Patrol needs drivers.
Ford discontinued the Crown Victoria, and Dodge retired the previous generation Charger. Both of them were the stars of the American Police fleet. So, until further notice, the Mustang is stepping in to do the job. Back in March, Dodge CEO Tom Kuniskis stated that a Dodge police car is "definitely on our radar."
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