Ford’s Cop Car Market Dominance
Ever since the venerable Crown Victoria became the de facto king of cop cars, Ford’s grip on that market has been tighter than ever. Even after it was discontinued in 2011, the Taurus and Explorer-based Police Interceptors continued to carry over that success. Admit it, unless you have a keen eye for detail, the sight of an Explorer makes you ease off the gas a little.
While Chevrolet and Dodge have a greater presence in motor pools these days, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a good number of Fords ready to hit the streets. One can say that it’s all thanks to the good ol’ Crown Vic.
Interceptors and Responders
The current Ford police fleet has more variety compared to the days of the Vic. That said, it’s still the Police Interceptor Utility that takes a lion’s share of the sales. However, there are also the F-150 Police Responder and Expedition Special Service Vehicle.
Ford also offers the Transit as a prisoner transport van, and let’s not forget about the F-150 Lightning and Mach-E. Those electric police package vehicles are suited for departments that want to crack down on crime and emissions simultaneously.
However, Ford also offers a couple of police packages outside of the US, and we think it’s worth a look.
Ford Motor Company
Meet the Ranger Police Truck
As the F-150 Police Responder already exists, the Ranger Police Truck isn’t offered in the US and Canada. Its spec is also different from the one in American and Canadian showrooms, as it’s the global version of the midsize pickup. It has a couple of minor differences from the ones sitting in showrooms right now, but it’s largely identical save for the engine. More on that later.
The Ranger Police Truck is engineered by Ford Global Fleet Sales and primarily caters to, well, the rest of the world. Ford says it’s highly configurable for both police and military use to meet specific demands from various agencies across the globe.
So, What is It Packing?
According to the company, this police pickup features upgraded suspension and brakes compared to the standard civilian versions. They didn’t go into specifics, but it’s a safe bet that it has been strengthened to withstand prolonged abuse and high mileage. Cop springs, cop shocks, etc.
It does come standard with a lightbar, although specific agencies can get that changed. A siren and PA system are also part of the package, as well as a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and an enhanced fuel filtration system.
There are a couple of interesting options, too. It can be fitted with a steel bumper with a bullbar for good measure, along with a winch and snorkel. Steel mesh window screens are also available, along with mounts for firearms, rock sliders, spotlights, and other accessories. There’s even an option for ‘dynamic suspension’ and a 30-gallon long-range fuel tank.
It’s Not Fast, Though
Granted, a police pickup doesn’t exactly have high-speed pursuits in mind. As such, the police-spec Ranger gets a rather modest 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine. It musters 148 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, so it’s understandable why it isn’t available in the US and Canada. Still, for the rest of the world, it’s adequate.
That engine is then paired with a six-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel drive is standard. A rear differential lock is included in case those patrols get a little bit rougher.
