When you are out on the highway, possibly cruising a little over the speed limit, you suddenly notice something in your rear view mirror. You see a set of red and blue flashing lights coming up behind you. If you can calm down, you’ll probably notice the distinctive Ford blue oval logo set into a rugged grille on a midsize SUV. This is the Police Interceptor model of the Ford Explorer. The Explorer has become the vehicle of choice for many police precincts, so the company has come up with a special edition of the Explorer designed to better serve and protect the courageous men and women of the Thin Blue Line who are dedicated to serving and protecting us civilians.
The Ford Explorer is rugged, dependable, and full of safety features. That is one of many reasons why you find so many police officers patrolling our highways and byways in an Explorer. It is also why you should look for a Ford Explorer for sale and enjoy the same safety and protection for yourself.
Three Powerful Engines
Like the passenger version of the 2023 Ford Explorer, Ford offers the Police Interceptor with a choice of three different engines, each featuring a responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford has taken steps with each powertrain to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while boosting fuel economy. This will help save towns and cities quite a bit of money, since law enforcement won’t have to spend as much money on gas as they used to on the powerful V8 engines of previous cruisers.
The Police Interceptor version of the Explorer offers two of the same engines as the civilian version. The standard engine is not the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, which is not available in the Police Interceptor, but the 3.3L Hybrid V6. This provides 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque, combining the outputs of the V6 gas engine and the electric motor powered by a lithium-ion hybrid battery. The gas engine also works to keep the battery charged, reducing fuel consumption. Best of all, this engine will help save gas providing 25 miles per gallon in combined fuel economy.
The optional 3.0L EcoBoost V6, which is also an option in the civilian model, delivers up to 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This has the power to propel the Explorer from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds. This is the kind of acceleration the police need in high-speed chases.
The Police Interceptor offers a third engine option which is not available in the civilian version, a 3.3L direct injection V6 flexible fuel engine. This means that it is capable of running on E85 fuel, a gasoline-ethanol blend of 85% ethanol. This delivers an impressive 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. This gives departments the option to run their fleet on E85 rather than regular gasoline.
The 2023 Explorer Police Interceptor also has the kind of ground clearance that will come in handy when dealing with off-road conditions and snowy weather. This ranges from 7.2 inches on models with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 up to 7.6 inches on the models with the 3.3-liter direct injection V6.
Another difference between the civilian and police Explorers is that all-wheel drive is standard equipment for the Police Interceptor. This provides superior traction, allowing law enforcement to patrol during even the worst weather. It also allows police to reach hard to get places that require traversing dirt paths and other off-road conditions. The key is to provide the police with the power, acceleration, and performance needed to do their crucial job no matter the weather, road condition, or traffic.
Fewer Seats and More Space
The 2023 Ford Explorer offered to civilians is a three-row midsize SUV. This is why it is so popular with family drivers. That extra row of seats comes in handy when you need to take your kids and their friends to an activity.
However, a police force doesn’t need three rows of seats, so Ford removes the third row of seats from the Explorer Police Interceptor. This frees up additional trunk space so the police can carry more equipment. In fact, this model of the 2023 Explorer has 52 cubic feet of cargo space between the second row of seats, providing space for rescue gear and other items. According to Ford, this can hold up to 880 pounds of equipment the police may need.
The interior of the Explorer Police Interceptor is extremely roomy, with 118 cubic feet of space apportioned between the two rows. The front row has 40.9 inches of legroom, while the back row has 40.7 inches. In addition, the Police Interceptor can be customized to provide barriers between the front and back rows, as well as the trunk and back row.
Technology for Improved Safety
One of the biggest selling points for the Ford Explorer is its use of advanced technology for safety and connectivity. This is why so many Ford vehicles are so popularity in their class. This is certainly the case with the 2023 Explorer Police Interceptor.
Ford designed the Explorer to be one of the safest vehicles on the road, especially in the unfortunate event of a collision. For example, the Explorer Police Interceptor has been rated to withstand up to a 75 mph rear-impact crash. This will help keep the law enforcement officers from sustaining a major injury in the event of an accident, particularly during highway traffic stops.
In addition, the Police Interceptor model features Ford’s SPACE architecture. This does not mean that the Explorer Police Interceptor can be sent to the Moon. SPACE stands for “Side Protection and Cabin Enhancement,” which means that the Explorer has been designed to maximum passenger safety.
Ford also offers many safety features on the 2023 Explorer Police Interceptor model as part of its Ford Co-Pilot360 platform of driver assistance technologies. For example, this model can be equipped with a rear camera on-demand feature, allowing the law enforcement officer to turn on the standard rearview camera to be used for surveillance without having to put the Explorer in reverse. In addition, the police department can order the Explorer with available pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection. This will alert the officer of an imminent frontend collision, allowing for evasive action. In addition, it will increase brake sensitivity, making it easier for the officer to bring the Explorer to safe stop. There is even a feature designed to detect pedestrians, so if one steps off the curb in front of the Explorer Police Interceptor, the system can engage the brakes automatically to avoid striking the pedestrian.
Just like on the civilian model of the Explorer, the Police Interceptor has advanced connectivity features. It has standard hands-free Bluetooth, so the police officer can use the phone without having to take his or her eyes off the road and hands from the steering wheel. Ford also offers a 12.1-inch integrated computer screen on the Police Interceptor with the SYNC connectivity system. This frees up the need for the officer to have a separate laptop or tablet computer. It also provides a number of different display views, increasing passenger safety.
One of the most interesting features is an available Police Perimeter Alert system, based on the blind spot information system. It utilizes 270 degrees of sensors to alert the officer to driver behavior around the Explorer to help determine potential threats. It shows the area around the Explorer Police Interceptor and lets the officer see if there is a threat. If one is detected, the system will automatically lock the doors, roll up the windows, and engage the rear view camera. This will better help the officer assess and respond to the threat.
An Explorer Good Enough for Police Should Be Perfect for You
Most law enforcement agencies have adopted the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor model for its officers. The police appreciate its exceptional performance, acceleration, fuel economy, spacious interior, utility, dependability, and safety. This is all the result of such things as Ford’s technology in its Ford Co-Pilot360 and SYNC platforms. You can see why the police prefer the Explorer by buying your own passenger version of this exceptional midsize SUV.
