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Ford Police Responder Hybrid and F-150 Achieve Pursuit Rating

Ford's Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and F-150 Police Responder have both been certified for pursuit duty after passing official testing, expanding the company's law enforcement line-up.

By Editorial Desk Updated
Two black and white police vehicles with red and blue lights activated parked outside a modern concrete building
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Ford has secured pursuit ratings for two of its latest police vehicles: the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and the F-150 Police Responder. Both models passed the required law enforcement testing in the United States, confirming their capability for sustained high-speed pursuits and demanding police work.

Hybrid sedan expands Ford's police range

The Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, based on the Ford Fusion Hybrid, had its pursuit rating confirmed following a 32-lap simulation at Grattan Raceway. The test covered powertrain durability, suspension, braking and tyre performance under sustained pursuit conditions. Ford claims the hybrid sedan outpaces the retired Crown Victoria Police Interceptor to 100 mph, with a time of 23.1 seconds compared to the V8 Crown Vic’s 24.4 seconds. Fuel economy is a major improvement, with EPA estimates of 40 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined, more than double the combined figure of the old Crown Victoria.

The Police Responder Hybrid is part of Ford’s strategy to offer a broad selection of vehicles to US police fleets, joining the Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan and the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility. The hybrid’s efficiency and acceleration are positioned as advantages for urban and highway patrol duties.

F-150 Police Responder adds off-road pursuit capability

The F-150 Police Responder is the first pursuit-rated pickup in Ford’s police line-up. It is intended for agencies needing both high-speed road performance and off-road capability. The F-150 Responder underwent the same pursuit testing as the hybrid sedan, with particular focus on durability and handling under repeated high-speed manoeuvres. Ford offers a range of engines for its police vehicles, including the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6, to meet different operational requirements.

Implications for police fleets

With both the hybrid sedan and the F-150 now pursuit-rated, Ford’s police vehicle line-up addresses a wider range of operational needs. The hybrid’s fuel savings and acceleration appeal to departments facing rising fuel costs and environmental scrutiny, while the F-150 Responder provides versatility for rural or mixed-terrain patrols. These developments follow Ford’s ongoing efforts to maintain its position in the US police market after the Crown Victoria’s retirement. Competing manufacturers, including Dodge with its Charger Pursuit, continue to offer alternatives for agencies prioritising performance and durability.

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