Ford knew exactly what it was doing when it decided to offer its Special Service Police sedan (aka Ford Taurus for the boys and girls in blue) with the 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine. That’s because the brand’s latest police offering is now the most fuel-efficient police car sold in the United States, with an EPA-estimated rating of 20 miles per gallon city, 30 MPG highway, and 24 MPG combined.
While not meant for high-speed pursuits like the more powerful Police Interceptor sedan, the Special Service Police Vehicle is great for non-pursuit applications in small rural agencies, universities, and for detective work. It combines the durability of the Interceptor and the fuel efficiency of the small-displacement 2.0 liter EcoBoost motor, and amplifies the potential for fuel savings, especially when compared to the most fuel efficient police vehicles offered by the competition. The same rings even more true for larger fleets that spend tens of thousands of dollars per month on gasoline for police vehicles.
For instance, both Dodge and Chevrolet’s most efficient police sedans achieve an EPA-estimated rating of 21 MPG combined, and neither reach the 30 MPG mark on the highway cycle. The higher fuel efficiency of Ford’s offering can result in some significant savings for the department. According to Ford:
“Based on the EPA-estimated ratings, when driven 30,000 miles per year — common for police-agency work — and with gas prices at $3.21 per gallon (national average based on EPA survey Nov. 18), the Special Service Police package could save agencies approximately $1,720 over three years compared with the most efficient competitors in the market today, which are rated at 21 mpg combined.”
The larger the size of the fleet, the higher the savings: police agencies with fleets as large as 150 vehicles, potential savings over the course of three years could be as much as $257,940. Agencies with smaller fleets of only 50 vehicles could still see their three-year savings add up to about $85,980.
The new Special Service Police sedan expands Ford’s powertrain options (what it calls “Power of Choice”) in the Police sedan to a total of four engines, including Ford’s 3.5 liter V6, 3.7 liter V6 with AWD, as well as the range-topping 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 with AWD. The 2.0 liter EcoBoost vehicle retains all the essential police DNA that goes into pursuit-rated Police Interceptor sedans, including safety and durability features. It’s also “upfit-friendly and purpose-built”, according to Ford. Commonality of parts remains an integral part of the special service police sedan.
No Comments yet