Ford has developed a special service sedan powered by its 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine for US police as it aims to improve the fuel efficiency of the fleet.
Ford says the new Taurus-based non-pursuit-rated vehicle has been developed at the request of law enforcement agencies to help reduce fuel costs.
It's the first time Ford has offered US law enforcement a non-pursuit-rated vehicle, according to a Ford spokesman.
"Not every police officer needs a pursuit-rated vehicle," saidFord police marketing manager?Jonathan Honeycutt.
"As agencies look to replace older, V8-equipped cruisers with more efficient cars, Ford is ready with the most fuel efficient, yet capable, full-size police vehicle," he said.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost?petrol engine – near identical to the one powering the Australian-made Falcon EcoBoost – delivers 179kW of power and 366Nm of torque and is expected to return combined cycle fuel consumption of around 10.2 litres per 100km in the modified Taurus application.
By comparison, the outgoing 4.6-litre Crown Victoria could only achieve 13.8L/100km, suggesting potential fuel savings with the new car will be significant.
Ford estimates the special service police package would save agencies around US$5000 over three years, based on 48,000km of driving per year.
The addition of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine means agencies will now have four choices of powertrains in the Police Interceptor vehicle.
The sedan is available with a 3.5-litre V6 with front-wheel drive, a 3.7-litre V6 with all-wheel drive and the range-topping 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine with all-wheel drive.
EcoBoost technology is currently available in every region Ford serves worldwide, and will be available on approximately 80 per cent of the company's global nameplates by the end of 2013.
Ford currently produces five EcoBoost engines at four of its facilities around the world, with plans to expand that number in the future.
