The Chicago Police Department has ordered 200 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid patrol vehicles. The pursuit-rated hybrid SUVs are made in Chicago.
“The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor is made in Chicago, by Chicagoans and for Chicago police officers,” said Jonathan Lewin, chief of technical services, Chicago Police Department. “This is just another example of Chicago living up to its reputation as the ‘city that works.’”
“The big benefits Chicago Police Department will see from the new hybrid system is that it shuts off the gas engine for extended periods of time, allowing the lithium-ion battery to power lights, radios, computers and other on-board equipment, helping to achieve potentially significant reductions in fuel usage and CO2 emissions versus the previous-generation Police Interceptor Utility,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager.
The 2020 Ford PI Utility Hybrid has the potential to save police departments across the country millions of dollars in fuel costs, according to Ford. While actual mileage will vary, the all-new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined rating – a 41% improvement over the previous-generation Police Interceptor Utility equipped with a conventional 3.7-liter gas engine. Projections indicate the powerful hybrid could potentially help police departments save between $3,500 and $5,700 per vehicle annually in fuel costs versus the current Police Interceptor Utility.
Ford says it has orders nationwide for 3,700 2020 PI Utility SUVs equipped with the standard 3.3-liter hybrid engine. The hybrid orders represent 19% of the 19,000-plus orders Ford has taken for the all-new 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility. Conventional gas engine options include a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 3.3-liter V6 with flex fuel capability.
In testing by the Michigan State Police in September, preliminary results show the all-new Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid had the fastest 0-60 and 0-100-mph acceleration, the fastest lap, fastest average lap and highest top speed of 138 mph versus competitive police utility vehicles, including V8-powered entries. The only faster entry was the Ford Police Interceptor Utility powered by a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine.
With 63% of law enforcement vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2018, Ford continues to lead the segment, with its Police Interceptor Utility alone accounting for half of all police vehicles sold in America.
Purpose-built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant with domestic and foreign parts, the Police Interceptor Utility includes heavy-duty cloth front seats with reduced bolsters for comfort and easy entry and exit for officers. Vinyl rear seats and vinyl flooring enable easy cleaning, while anti-stab plates in the rear of the front seatbacks help protect officers from potential threats.
