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Detroit, 10:52 PM
Sat Dec 5
8 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/15/09
We spent some serious time over the weekend trying to kill one and let me tell you, it wasn't easy. It just kept going.
It finally took lots of fire and several rifle rounds to make it officially dead. This was after many hours of Davidsfarm levels of hooning.
Long live the Vic. #policecars
11/13/09
BROADMEADOWS, AUSTRALIA
Ford Australia celebrates latest opportunity for Dearborn to ignore Falcon.
A Ford Australia spokesperson confirmed that the recently-announced Police Interceptor project would not be based on the FG Falcon platform.
"Ford in the US has a long and rich heritage of ignoring the Falcon, and that tradition is set to continue with the recently-announced Police Interceptor project"
"While the FG Falcon platform has been engineered with Left-Hand Drive markets in mind, has a cost-effective yet sophisticated fully-independent suspension, rear-wheel drive, and an extensive history of service as a police vehicle in Australia and New Zealand, this well-regarded platform will not be required for US police duty"
"Although Ford is a global company, and moving to a single global product line, it is our understanding that Ford HQ has decided to develop a brand-new platform locally for the Police Interceptor."
"We tried asking why they wouldn't consider a Falcon, or even using the wagon/ute platform with its leaf-sprung live rear axle to cater to America's heritage suspension demographic. However, nobody at Ford Headquarters in Dearborn would return our calls or emails."
"In the past we have been told that the Falcon was unsuitable because American sedan buyers preferred front-wheel drive; because there was always someone in the enthusiast community who would raise the poor image of the original US Falcon; because even the long-wheelbase LTD and Fairlane models were not the right size for American needs; because American Ford buyers demanded independent rear suspension (EA-EL Falcon); that American Ford buyers now demanded the heritage and continuity of a live rear suspension with coil springs (BA-FG Falcon); because Falcon's exterior and interior styling was 'too european' and 'boring' and did not meet American tastes; because the Taurus was all the sedan anyone needed in that segment of the market; and we can't use it anymore because Bob Lutz is using Holdens and we don't want to be seen to be copying Bob Lutz."
"Like many Ford enthusiasts in Australasia, we look forward to hearing what the latest reason is from a motoring magazine or website, or secondhand through employee gossip. In the meantime, we will continue our work to install new V8 and EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines in the Falcon and..."
"...and...(tears form in eyes)..."
"...oh to hell with it! Who wants a beer?"
Latest reports indicate Ford Australia is fine, but nursing a mean hangover.
11/13/09
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11/13/09
I can say that the cvpi is by and large the most comfortable of all and probably the best all purpose cruiser. That said, the Charger is an amazing cop car with its power and handling. The Impala, well, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
But the biggest reason the CVPI has had such staying power is because of the fact that lightbars, cop electronics, and such that were bought in the early-mid 90's are still useable. Most agencies just don't have the money to spend on everything new all at one shot. This is actually one of the reasons why the PA State Police stuck with the CVPI even with the advent of the Magnum and Charger.
The other big variable that has helped the CVPI stay so popular is that they are dirt cheap compared to the other cop cars out there - a cop spec ecoboost taurus (yes, this was the initial proposed CVPI replacement) was going to cost close to $40k - enough outrage from law enforcement - and a new Interceptor wasn't just inevitable, but a good decision from Ford.
Local muni's can buy CVPI's for around $16-17k - a hemi charger is in the mid $20k's, with a v6 charger around $18k. Factor in repair costs like wheels - $100 for a CVPI, $250 for a Charger. It's no surprise that the CVPI has become the staple that it is.
Heck, some of the cop spec car prep companies have been trying to sell Ford Edge's as cop cars - but the take rate has been low.
Unfortunately, the best analogy I can come up with is a computer one - you use Windows, and in order to keep going with a new computer, you have to buy a whole new set of software - do you buy another pc and all the software, or do you go mac? #policecars
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I can see drive axles being snapped aplenty in certain po-leece departments.
Plus, it's less-expensive to produce when you're using old-tech. Well, usually less-expensive. #policecars
11/13/09
11/13/09
I would refer you to last Saturday's episode of COPS (as aired on Fox).
During a chase we see the Crown Vic's hopping medians as they swerve around traffic and sparks flying off the diffs as they scrape the medians.
The perp in his front drive Mistu tried this and ended the chase by wrecking his tires/steering.
Pursuit vehicles have a robustness requirement beyond simply driving a lot on roads.
The packaging of rwd relative to fwd allows for "beefier" components with fewer moving parts/stress points.
"Thought so"
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11/13/09
well, speaking from experience as someone who once had to ride in a cop car in the middle of a snowstorm, you may have a point there. #policecars
11/16/09
So we really need cops cars that can hop medians, hit pedestrians, and hit other cars and keep on running. Got it. Amazing how they live without them in the rest of the world. #policecars
11/16/09
Much of the rest of the world use Falcons/Commodores/trucks/CVPIs.
Plus look to the designed urban sprawl of America and how police forces have been designed around it. It would be different if there were 400 year cobblestoned city centres with carriage sized streets.
Part of the police business model is having cheap cars that can handle the terrain, engage in high speed pursuits, and carry a pile of gear . 1.6 Diesel Astras wouldn't work here, unfortunately.
Not saying the CVPI is the best application - could be much improved - but, at a base level, it does meet some needs. #policecars
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11/13/09
In Atlanta, at least, the cops did things besides watch the road right up until revenue became a concern. #policecars
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Our local finest have mostly been getting Chargers, but there are a LOT of Tahoes lately too. I have seen some really sneaky ones with Camrys on occasion, especially on the windy backroads at night, and increased enforcement on Highway 9... #policecars
11/13/09
11/13/09
Or just driving like a normal law-abiding citizen when I'm too tired to care. #policecars
11/13/09
@Scandinavian Flick: I've seen one or two Chargers but they were Sheriff's cars, they never seem to care anyway. Used to have Intrepids, those looked god-awful. #policecars
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