Michigan State Police Release Annual Police Vehicle Evaluation Results, Chrysler Introduces Police Package Durango
Every year the Michigan State Police conduct comparison performance tests of police package vehicles offered by the domestic automakers. The results influence millions of dollars worth of purchasing decisions by police agencies around the country and they’re also the source of bragging rights. It’s tempting to compare the way automakers tout the MSP Police Vehicle Evaluation results to the way car makers brag about times on the Nurburgring circuit, but the police car testing is undoubtedly more consistent and reliable than ‘Ring results. This year, Chrysler made a big deal about the 2014 Dodge Charger Pursuit AWD with the 370 horsepower 5.7 liter Hemi V8 posting the fastest lap time, 1:33.85, on the Grattan Raceway road course, along with the best braking performance from 60 to 0 mph, 126.5 feet.
Vehicle Acceleration and Top Speed Results
Vehicle Dynamics (Road Course) Results
Meanwhile, Chrysler has introduced the Special Service Dodge Durango SUV for police and fire departments. It will be competing with police package Tahoes from Chevy and Explorers from Ford. Chrysler is hoping that the Durango’s eight speed automatic transmission will give it an edge with departments looking to save on fuel costs, saying that the new transmission improves fuel economy by 15% over the previous model. Special Service features include a heavy-duty brake package, more powerful battery, larger-output 220-amp alternator, more robust water pump and engine oil cooler and a load leveling suspension.
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I do wish that police departments would be more economical with tax payer dollars. I noticed the Oklahoma HP buying a lot of new Tahoes. I can understand why a Highway Patrol might need faster vehicles, however a Tahoe is not fast, nor does it handle well. It looks damn cool painted black with black wheels though. What you have here is government employees making purchase decisions with other people's money. They WANT to drive the bigger V8 cars therefore they will come up with whatever justification needed to make that happen. Try to convince a city department that they can get by with a Focus hatch and officers will come out of the woodwork to tell you why it won't work, the only true reason is they don't want to drive a small hatchback. There are instances where fast, large cars may be needed, however non-response vehicles and urban departments (even some suburban areas), could get away with more economical vehicles.
With only 37 posts on an article about police cars, I'd say most of the B&B agree. Who cares? How about David Hester, Havent heard from him in a while. If you're still here Dave, any thoughts?