New York City’s finest are trolling the aisles for a new set of wheels and they’ve decided to take the Dodge Charger for a test drive. The NYPD has agreed to buy 15 Chargers for a pilot program this summer, five models with V6 engines and 10 featuring Chrysler’s HEMI V8.
We reported awhile back that the Michigan State Police had tested many potential police cruisers and the results put the V8 Charger at the top in acceleration and fastest lap times. Apparently the NYPD were impressed and if the pilot program goes well, it could replace the city’s entire fleet of 3,000 Crown Vics and Impalas with Chargers.
[Source: Associated Press via DetroitWonk]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ross @ Feb 11th 2006 11:04AM
The Charger RT is great. I got mine back in september and I just LOVE IT. And yea its got a hemi.
Sully @ Feb 11th 2006 11:46AM
Huh.. The guard up front does a nice job of hiding the hideous face of the charger...
source1 @ Feb 11th 2006 12:17PM
hope it is a better experience than I had with my rented Charger in Miami. Horrible outward visibility, moronic ergonomics and controls use(stereo and cruise had to be a complicated German design) and 18 mpg for a V6?!!! And by the way, the interior and exterior design teams look like they had one meeting one day prior to production. Horrible and I am not kidding.
Scott @ Feb 11th 2006 12:53PM
Doubt they would replace the entire fleet with Chargers. NYPD has specifically stated they like to own vehicles from various makes at all times to keep their vehicle diversity. They wouldn't replace anything with only one model.
Harry @ Feb 11th 2006 1:06PM
Dodge should offer a civilian version of the police option package to put a high performance suspension package under the 5.7 litre Hemi
steve @ Feb 11th 2006 1:06PM
I work in nyc. as far as the Crown Vic headline, they pretty much use all Impalas at this point. Very few straggler CVs left. For what it's worth, the Impalas look weathered pretty quickly.
If the cabbies turned from CVs, now that would be news. At this point, I'd estimate NYC cabs about about 85% CVs, 10% new model Siennas, most of the remainder split among explorers, old honda/isuzu vans, and run down Town Cars.
j-dawg @ Feb 11th 2006 1:16PM
As autoblog's perennial Crown Vic defender, I have to say that I doubt that NYC is goingt o replace its fleets with Chargers. Plus, two bad experiences with Chrysler products have taught me that Chryslers don't last more than about twenty-five minutes on the road without breaking, and judging by what I've heard it isn't getting any better.
Steve B. @ Feb 11th 2006 1:36PM
I haven't driven a charger to comment. However, I don't see how anything could be much worse than a Crown Vic. I've driven a Grand Marquis on several occasions, and it is truly an anachronism. Whereas other makes and models make the driving experience less crude and intrusive by improving overall refinement, the fox platform takes outdated technology and adds layer upon layer of insulation.
On perfectly smooth, straight surfaces it is quite enjoyable. Drive over one expansion joint or pothole and the 70's era solid rear axle shows itself very quickly. Take it around a corner at more than walking speed and you'll feel a chassis that is almost as rigid as a slice of bacon.
Even worse is the interior. I don't think I've ever been in a car that was more difficult to be configured into a comfortable driving position. There are no seat bolsters to speak of, the cushions are stuffed to the point of offering no support, and the controls are illogical compared to the relative standardization you see across Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan and even newer domestic models.
Nick @ Feb 11th 2006 2:25PM
j-dawg, I can count 18 bad experiences with Ford products, but it doesn't mean they're all shite. I've had a long line of Chrysler products being nothing but dependable. Do some research, and not in Consumer Reports.
MacroEQ @ Feb 11th 2006 2:28PM
It's amazing that at a time when American cars (compared to those of other countries) are perceived as being ugly, of a poor build quality and gas guzzling, (and now George Bush admits that America has an unhealthy appetite for oil) that a car like the Dodge Charger is being considered as a suitable future police car.
Why don’t they choose a far more fuel economical car and set an example to the rest of the country instead of perpetuating a market for inefficient cars. Why not throw in a couple of hybrids aswell.
I'm sure the NYPD would rather be driving 5 Series BMWs like their London Metropolitan Police cousins, but with America's car industry as it is, I don't think that’s going to be on the cards any time soon.
Mick @ Feb 11th 2006 3:06PM
I would like to see LOWER-POWERED police cruisers in the city, mostly to deter the police from engaging in high-speed pursuits that endanger their own lives and those of citizens. The need to "Head 'em off at the pass" is best accomplished by radio or computer. The police shouldn't be in slow cars, of course, just not in super fast high-speed cars.
What they really need are cars that are roomy, reliable, comfortable, and safe. Roomy, in order to satisfy the requirement for carrying all that computer and communications gear - as well as the occasional prisoner; reliable, to get the police where they have to get to, and to eliminate unnecessary maintenance costs; comfortable, to account for all the hours the police have to spend in their cars; and as safe as we can make them for a job that can be pretty dangerous. Speed must be last on the list, and if there is a special need for it the police can employ a small number of really fast cars for special tasks, such as for patrols on highways. Crown Vics and Impalas served pretty well in the past, though questions about the Crown Vics safety have recently gotten a lot of publicity.
With these requirements in mind perhaps it's time for car makers to design a car especially for the police, rather than adapt a civilian model. After all, it's not like the style will need to change from year to year.
TriShield @ Feb 11th 2006 3:38PM
You said roomy, reliable, comfortable, and safe. You just described the Dodge Charger. Good job.
Jeff @ Feb 11th 2006 3:52PM
I think there's tons to talk about on this issue. Obviously the charger is a quicker car than the crown vic, and you could spend a lot of time debating how quick cop cars need to be in general. And you could also talk about the whole body on ladder-frame construction that the crown vic has, its durable and great for the push bars out front. And also i've heard that the cops like that wide flat open dash that the Vic has for mounting stuff like computers and so forth.
But I'm gonna go and be real superficial and say that I feel the style is the worst thing about the Charger. Now I REALLY like the looks of the charger, a lot of people think they're ugly, but I think it looks cool and badass and all. Not so into the tail though, but the hips and that face... nice and aggressive. But we're talking about a police car here! The cops aren't out to make a fashion statement! I think the assertive and tough yet simple and plain looks of the crown vic are more appropriate for such a serious role.
Those modified 300Cs in that movie Island were really cool though.
On another note, the latest motor trend says they're hearing whispers of a plan at ford to build a RWD V8 sedan on a platform that shares elements with the mustang platform.
LM dealer @ Feb 11th 2006 3:55PM
It is doubtful that Chrysler can sell Chargers to municipalities as cheaply as Ford can sell Crown Victorias. The Crown Vics platform has been around a long time ... meaning development costs were satisfied years ago ... meaning Ford can sell their CV much cheaper and still turn a profit. The bean counters in NYC and every other police/fleet agency will probably win whether or not the Charger is newer and better.
tbyron @ Feb 11th 2006 4:07PM
About a month ago, I followed a Chrysler 300C up the 5 in San Diego (during the rush hour crawl). It was black, had V8 exhausts, big tires and wheels, 2-3 small antennas, _AND_ a very discreet "Police Interceptor" badge on the lower left corner of the rear end.
Chris @ Feb 11th 2006 5:50PM
In Auburn Hills MI the police use Dodge Magnums with the HEMI. With that said the I have seen a Mustang GT with the two foglamps in the grill with red lenses and that familiar "Trooper Blue" paint scheme without any markings just a couple of antennas.
philmcneal @ Feb 11th 2006 5:54PM
they better bought the versions that have cylinder deactviation so when the police people are just patrolling they can save gas and do less harm for the enviroment!
John Cressy @ Feb 11th 2006 6:28PM
I've had a RAM1500 for the last 26 months (bought new) with no problems. I also have a card for oil and filter changes for the life of the vehicle (one owner).
$7.77 each visit. If you buy one now it's $10. They need big cars for the police not tiny econo-boxes. Where would you put the big officers and the fat gang bangers if you didn't have a big car?
Tom @ Feb 11th 2006 6:56PM
"Speed must be last on the list and if there is a special need for it the police can employ a small number of really fast cars for special tasks, such as for patrols on highways."
When your house is being burglarized-I hope the police with the slow cars respond to prevent you from getting bludgeoned. When your cousing the police officer gets shot twice breaking up a family dispute-I hope the police race to back him up in the slow car. When your aunt has a heart attack and there isn't an ambulance in sight, I hope it's the slow police car the cops choose to take her to the ER.
Police cars need to be big to accomadate barriers for prisoner transport.
Steve B. @ Feb 11th 2006 8:31PM
Roomy, reliable, comfortable, and safe.
Sounds like a Ford 500 with a more up-to-date engine would do the trick. It has a large enough back seat for any arrestee's transport, a comfortable ride for multi-hour patrols, and a Volvo chassis for optimum safety. The 2.8L, twin-turbo I6 from the Volvo S80 is used in the same platform, and with 272 hp on tap would outperform the 250 HP Crown Vic. Add AWD for colder climates, and you have a winner of a police car.
WHy not just put that 272 hp I6 in the 500 in general for that matter, as an upgrade option!?!