The annual Michigan State Police patrol car evaluations took place a couple of months back. I've been aiming to start a thread on this for a while now, but with the holidays there wasn't much time to do so.

For 2005 the major players were pretty much carry over from 2004, Fords Police Interceptor and the Chevrolet Impala.

Here is whats available for 2005:

(Police Package Vehicle: PPV) (Special Service Package: SSP)

PPV Chevrolet Impala 9C1..............3.8L V6....200hp
PPV Chevrolet Tahoe Pursuit...........5.3L V8....285hp
PPV Chevrolet Tahoe Pursuit E85*....5.3L V8....285hp *variable fuel
SSP Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD...............5.3L V8....285hp
SSP Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD.6.6L V8...320hp Diesel

PPV Ford Police Interceptor (3.27).....4.6L V8....250hp
PPV Ford Police Interceptor (3.55).....4.6L V8....250hp
SSP Ford Expedition 2WD.................5.4L V8....260hp
SSP Ford Explorer 2WD....................4.6L V8....239hp

SSP Dodge Magnum........................3.5L V6....250hp

Performance Testing

............................................0 to 60..0 to 100..T. Speed...Road Course
Ford Police Interceptor (3.27).......8.42....23.30........128.......1:42.8 1
Ford Police Interceptor (3.55).......8.15....22.91........119.......1:42.4 3
Chevrolet Impala 9C1..................8.76....25.29........123..... ..1:44.74
Chevrolet Tahoe Pursuit E85........8.19....23.69........125.......1:46.70
Dodge Magnum.........................9.10....24.96...... ..117.........N/A

The Ford Police Interceptor was slightly slower or posted the same times as last year in acceleration tests, but was slightly faster on the road course. The faster 3.55 rear end PI is still limited to 119 mph top speed because of drive shaft harmonics.
The Impala 9C1 was 3 tenths of second faster to 60 and over 1 second faster to 100 mph than last years test, but was 4 tenths of a second slower on the road course this year. Impala 9C1 still has the best braking by nearly 10 feet on a 60 to 0 stop, thanks to its "CAMARO Z28" calipers and rotors.

The Dodge Magnum is being offered as a special service pkg. with only a V6 this year. Next year will see the pursuit pkg. 5.7L Hemi become available, I bet we will also see a Charger Police Pkg. next year too.
I am really hoping to see the 2006 Impala 9C1 available with the 5.3L V8, that would put it way ahead of the Ford PI and slightly ahead of the Magnum Hemi. In fact it would be faster than the ledgendary Caprice 9C1 LT1, if it gets an unlimited top speed. On the subject of speed limiters all cars tested this year for top speed, had top speed limiters.

I am glad to see help is on its way, because todays police cars are sorely underpowered compared to the capabilities of most cars on the market today.

 

good i can still outrun them

 

A 5 year old on a trike could out run half of them.

 

yeah, but you can't outrun a radio.

 

It is funny that the Tahoe is basically as fast or faster than the rest of the Police cars on the market.

 

No Hummer testing this year?

I cant wait till the Charger. It isnt a charger... but hey, it'd make a great police vehicle. So would the magnum actually...

 

Yeah, the Tahoe is rollin pretty good with that group!

 

I knew they were slow, but didn't realize they were THAT slow!

 

I've actually heard a lot of departments aren't too enthused about the Magnum because of its open cargo area. Can't keep equipment locked away out of sight back there and whatever's in the "trunk" is pretty close to the suspect in the back.

 

just wait til one of those has a supercharger strapped to it
i live in what you'd probably call a small-medium size town and all the cars have superchargers
trust me, you do not want to try to outrun one of those
old ford vic BLEW past me the opposite direction and caught up with the runner in seconds
and this was some type of eclipse (like 2nd gen style, not sure of designation- gst whatever)

 

I think its funny that 11 years after Chevy came out with the 9C1 Caprice with the LT1 V8, nobody can touch it from an acceleration standpoint. I'm not sure how well the 9C1 handled, but with the power advantage, you'd think it would fare better on the road course test. Ford has really drug their feet on doing anything to enhance the Crown Vic because they are the only people in the cop car market.

 

That's what I am thinking.

 

It can, and has been done, but you have to be prepared and have a place to hide. It involves an 84' Z28, but don't ask me how I know.

 

It can be done with a 94 also, or so I have heard...

 

open parkways with lots of exits and a 383 stroker also helps a bit