Another battle has begun in the Ford / GM war: who's got the better new police car, Ford with its Taurus Police Interceptor or GM with its Chevrolet Caprice PPV? One thing sure to be a hot topic is both companies' shift in platform choices.
GM is ditching the front-wheel-drive Impala option and going back to a big, rear-wheel drive vehicle with the Zeta-based Caprice.
As our Aussie friends know, the Caprice is a re-grilled Holden Caprice / Statesman which in turn is a more luxurious, long wheelbase version of the Holden Commodore / Pontiac G8.
Ford, on the other hand, is doing the exact opposite; they're tossing the big, rear-wheel-drive (and geriatric) Panther platform and offering up front- and all-wheel drive Tauruses.
With the option of an E85 6.0 liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, the RWD Caprice PPV is the old-schooler of the pair. It's pushrod and proud of it. The Caprice is the answer to the question, "What if Chevy kept building the Caprice instead of butchering the Impala nameplate in 2000?"
It'll have a six-speed automatic, four-wheel independent suspension, offer cylinder deactivation, and a V6 will be available underhood for the 2012 model year.
As for Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor, it'll come from the get-go with either A) a 263-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that's E85 compatible, or B) a twin-turbocharged 365-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that makes 350 lb-ft of torque.
It receives a six-speed automatic transmission, too. Ford will be offering SYNC and other features designed to make these cars' duties as police vehicles easier and safer, such as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), Cross Traffic Alert (to ease backing out into traffic), and a rear view camera.
Both vehicles will offer all the standard heavy-duty improvements, such as bigger brakes and better cooling, along with improved safety systems.
Once Dodge comes out with an interceptor version of their 2011 Charger, it'll be an interesting three-way race. Until then, what new police car would cops rather drive: the Caprice or the Taurus?
And is it possible, with the quality selections at hand, for Ford's Taurus Police Interceptor to retain 75% of the market?
Have your say in the comments section below.
-By Phil Alex
FORD TAURUS INTERCEPTOR
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CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV
