Gripenfelter

The Carbon Motors E7


.....Unlike conventional police cruisers, which are retrofitted consumer vehicles such as the Ford Crown Victoria, the E7 is the first car designed and built specifically for law enforcement......

..... Li said the car's 300 bhp forced-induction 3.0-diesel engine will deliver 420 lb-ft of torque and propel the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, with a governed top speed of 155 mph......

...... The company is currently in negotiations with several states on where to locate its assembly plant. According to Li, production of the E7 will create 10,000 direct and indirect American jobs. .......

MORE: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465329,00.html

z28 justin

I think I remember reading about these somewhere. Pretty neat stuff

HuJass

I didn't read the article, but where is this company getting the money to design, engineer, test, and build a whole new car.
Wouldn't this endeavor cost, like, billions of dollars?

But it would be nice if all the law enforcement agencies bought these cars.
They are unique and you could spot a cop car a long ways off.

guionM

They had it in a corner at the San Francisco Auto Show.

I wasn't allowed behind the ropes (unlike the LA show, I went in as part of the general public), but it's a pretty aggressive looking vehicle in person, but except for the dash, the car also seems pretty cheaply made.

The car is notably tall, has what looks like a humungous wheelbase, and very little overhang.

I remember I dismissed this vehicle some time ago as a pipedream of a group of former Ford managers. I will now say that at least they are serious. But the 2 big questions remains:

1. How are they going to certify the thing?
2. How are they going to sell the thing for less money than the current Crown Vic.

IMO, the 1st is doable, but the 2nd isn't.

Zigroid

this would be great. I can spot a crown vic police cruiser a mile away but when they start using impalas, durangos, chargers, and other cars it starts to get hard. give me something that is easy to spot

Big Als Z

Cost is gunna be a big issue.
Its wheel base is long, real long. It looks like a tall 300 with the new Saab 9-3's front end.
Cost is gunna be huge. Everything but the powertrain will be developed and built by E7, including the chassis. Thats big money!
Certifying it shouldnt be hard. It would be like a Firetruck. I would even say the Goverment woudl be interested in this for Military use? Decently armored police vehicle to patrol durring peace keeping?
Cost is just really really high...