Smackdown: Ford's Taurus Police Interceptor vs. GM's Chevy Caprice PPV

Another battle has begun in the Ford / GM war: who's got the better new police car, Ford with its Taurus Police Interceptor or GM with its Chevrolet Caprice PPV? One thing sure to be a hot topic is both companies' shift in platform choices.

GM is ditching the front-wheel-drive Impala option and going back to a big, rear-wheel drive vehicle with the Zeta-based Caprice.

As our Aussie friends know, the Caprice is a re-grilled Holden Caprice / Statesman which in turn is a more luxurious, long wheelbase version of the Holden Commodore / Pontiac G8.

Ford, on the other hand, is doing the exact opposite; they're tossing the big, rear-wheel-drive (and geriatric) Panther platform and offering up front- and all-wheel drive Tauruses.

With the option of an E85 6.0 liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, the RWD Caprice PPV is the old-schooler of the pair. It's pushrod and proud of it. The Caprice is the answer to the question, "What if Chevy kept building the Caprice instead of butchering the Impala nameplate in 2000?"

It'll have a six-speed automatic, four-wheel independent suspension, offer cylinder deactivation, and a V6 will be available underhood for the 2012 model year.

As for Ford's Taurus-based Police Interceptor, it'll come from the get-go with either A) a 263-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that's E85 compatible, or B) a twin-turbocharged 365-horsepower 3.5 liter V6 that makes 350 lb-ft of torque.

It receives a six-speed automatic transmission, too. Ford will be offering SYNC and other features designed to make these cars' duties as police vehicles easier and safer, such as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), Cross Traffic Alert (to ease backing out into traffic), and a rear view camera.

Both vehicles will offer all the standard heavy-duty improvements, such as bigger brakes and better cooling, along with improved safety systems.

Once Dodge comes out with an interceptor version of their 2011 Charger, it'll be an interesting three-way race. Until then, what new police car would cops rather drive: the Caprice or the Taurus?

And is it possible, with the quality selections at hand, for Ford's Taurus Police Interceptor to retain 75% of the market?

Have your say in the comments section below.

-By Phil Alex

FORD TAURUS INTERCEPTOR

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CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV

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First Official Photos of Ford's Taurus Police Interceptor, will Replace Crown Victoria

The end of the line is coming soon for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor as Ford today released the first official images of its replacement based on the latest generation Taurus sedan.

We don't have all the details yet but it is assumed that the company will most likely offer the Taurus Interceptor in two guises, a front-wheel drive model with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and top-spec model based on the SHO with all-wheel drive and the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost.

Ford, which currently controls approximately 75 percent of the police pursuit vehicle business in the U.S selling approximately 45,000 vehicles to the boys in blue, said that the Taurus-based Police Interceptor will be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria ends in late 2011.

We remind you that last year General Motors revealed its Police Car proposal based on the Australian Holden Statesman, a more luxurious, long-wheelbase version of the Pontiac G8 / Holden Commodore.

Called the 2011 Chevy Caprice (click here for photos and details), GM's rear-wheel drive police car will be offered with with a 355HP 6.0-liter V8.

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Ford

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