Thanks to the extensive tests done by the Michigan State Police, the forthcoming Taurus-based Ford Police Interceptors have won a "pursuit rating," meaning they're ready for law enforcers across America to trade in their Crown Vics. Tick tick tick...

Ford says the Explorer utility "outperformed" the Chevy Tahoe police vehicle, but it didn't say much about whether the Taurus SHO-based models were able to maintain their advantages over the Dodge Charger and still-new Chevy Caprice. Those all-wheel-drive turbocharged sedans should be hitting the road in great numbers soon, because if law enforcement agencies love one thing, it's change.