{I thought this also might make interesting reading. Also from Police Fleet Manager's most recent issue. I deleted the information about the trucks, which you can find at www.pfmmag.com.}

For 2005, Chevrolet introduced their pursuit-capable Tahoe, and DaimlerChrysler introduced their special service package Dodge Magnum. Ford's Crown Victoria Police Interceptor received only subtle improvements.

Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI)

Ford offers four vehicles to the police market: the pursuit-rated Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI); and the special service package, non-pursuit rated Explorer, Expedition, and Excursion. None of the Ford SUVs are designed or intended to be used as pursuit vehicles.

The Ford CVPI is powered by a 250 hp, 4.6L SOnHC V-8. The rear-wheel drive sedan has a 114.7-inch wheelbase. Continued from 2004, the CVPI comes with a choice of either 3.27:1 or 3.55:1 rear axle ratios. As such, Ford essentially has made two classes of CVPI, a city or urban-oriented patrol car with faster acceleration but a lower top speed, and a county, rural, highway, and state police patrol car with slightly slower acceleration but a higher top speed.

The 3.55 gear allows faster acceleration, from ¼ to ½ second faster to 60 mph than the 3.27 geared CVPI. The CVPIs with 3.55 gears will be top speed-limited to 119 mph, while the 3.27 geared CVPIs are limited to 129 mph.

Also continued from 2004 is the 200-amp generator for the CVPI, which produces a robust, 132 amps at idle. The 200-amp generator is in response to the increased electrical loads from the huge amount of electronic police gear installed in nearly every patrol car.

A new wheel with more vent openings for better brake cooling was a running change for mid-2004 and is now on all 2005 models. The 2005 CVPI has a new steering wheel and column, including a new column-mounted gear selector.

In response to concerns over the slight possibility of a fire due to a fuel leak following very high-speed rear collisions, Ford has progressed from: 1) a TSB on various rear suspension bolts and brackets; to 2) factory installed and retrofitable suspension shields; to 3) an optional Kevlar-lined Trunk Pack; and 4) new-for-2005, the optional onboard fire suppression system. With a $2500 MSRP price tag, this option will be available on CVPIs produced in April 2005.

The CVPI with shields and Trunk Pack have been crash tested with ½ offset rear impacts (the worst case) with a Taurus-size vehicle at 75 mph without fuel leaks. The CVPI with the on-board fire suppression system is also rated for the same 75 mph impact. At higher impact speeds or larger impact vehicles, the force is so great that the components in the fire suppression system itself may be damaged.

Also new for the Ford CVPI are the Base Visibility Package (65N) and the Ready for the Road Package (65U). That makes a total of five different from-the-factory upfitting options. Ford Fleet calls the Ready for the Road Package their "police car in a box" package.

The Panther platform (Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis) is in the production planning for a significant remodeling for 2006 for the Grand Marquis and 2009 for the Crown Victoria.

Chevrolet Impala

The 2005 Chevrolet Impala is essentially a carryover from the 2004. The rugged-ized FWD Impala is powered by a 200 hp, 3.8L OHV V-6, front wheel drive, and has a 110.5-inch wheelbase. Completing the only available powertrain is a 4-speed automatic and a 3.29-geared transaxle. Like the Ford CVPI, the Impala is available as "police package" and as an "undercover police" package. Both packages are pursuit capable.

The 9C1 police car uses bucket seats and bolt-on wheel centers, while the 9C3 undercover car uses a front 60/40 split bench seat and full-size, bolt-on plastic wheel covers. The drivetrain and chassis are otherwise identical. The Impala comes with a 125-amp alternator.

Nearly 50,000 police package Impalas have been placed in service since the 2000 model year introduction. The shorter gear selection lever is now standard, which makes it easier to install MDTs and other communication gear.

In the mid-2004 model year, the Impala came with an additional wire in the body harness. At the request of the New York Police Department, this allows selected emergency equipment to automatically shut off when the gear selector is placed in "park" or "neutral."

The Impala is available in 30 different solid colors and six different dual color schemes. The Impala is also available with laminated Enhanced Protective Glass on all four side-windows. This shatter-resistant glass protects against intrusion from vandalism and flying glass in the event of a collision. The Impala will be redesigned for the 2006 model year. The vehicle will use "similar technology," which means it will remain front wheel drive.

DaimlerChrysler's Dodge Magnum

DaimlerChrysler has a number of 2005 vehicles marketed for law enforcement use. While they do not offer any pursuit-rated, police package vehicles, they do offer one non-pursuit, special service package vehicle-the Dodge Magnum-and one "heavy-duty" package vehicle-the Dodge Durango. The Durango SUV is available in 2WD and 4x4, and is powered by a 4.7L SOHC V-8.

The 2005 Dodge Magnum is a special service package vehicle. The pursuit-rated, police package Magnum was shown at the Police Fleet Expo, but this will not be available until 2006. The special service Package Magnum is powered by a 3.5L V-6, the same powerplant from the police Intrepid. The Magnum, however, is rear wheel drive.

The Magnum has bucket seats and a console-mounted, floor-shifter. A column-mounted gear selector will be introduced on the police package versions for 2006. The Magnum has 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, all-speed traction control and DaimlerChrysler's version of reactive suspension called Electronic Stability Control. It also has side curtain airbags and a 160 amp alternator.