Special Purpose Vehicles
American auto manufacturers also offer various sport-utility vehicles for police duties when a sedan is just not enough. Such special uses may include off-road patrol and pursuit, SWAT transport, undercover work and K-9 units. Some of these vehicles are modified for police duty but many of them are almost similar to the civilian models.
Chevrolet offers the Tahoe for use as a special service vehicle. It is quite a capable vehicle with a very powerful V8 and for a time in the late 90s, Chevy was peddling it as a pursuit vehicle in the vein of the discontinued Caprice 9C1. The current model is offered with either a 275 hp 4.8L or a 285 hp 5.3L V8 in 2WD and 4WD form. Modifications are similar to those offered in the 9C1 sedans. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is a relatively decent 8.7 seconds but top speed is a lowly 98 mph. Stopping distance from 60 mph is about 158 feet. Some agencies, such as the FBI, Secret Service and regional SWAT teams, use the civilian Chevrolet Suburban model as government issue. General Motors is, in a misguided attempt, also offering their slow and expensive Hummer as a pursuit vehicle, with little success.
DaimlerChrysler has put their Dodge Durango SLT in the police fleet market, offering it with a 235 hp 4.7L V6 in 2WD and 4WD form. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is about 9.5 seconds on average and top speed is limited to 112 mph in the 4WD and 114 mph in the 2WD. 60-0 mph braking takes 155 feet.
Earlier, Chrysler used to offer their 190 hp 4.0L Jeep Cherokee for pursuit and special duty in 2WD and 4WD form. It has now been discontinued, and the Intrepid and Durango has taken its place in the police market. Acceleration for 0-60mph is 9.5 seconds and top speed is limited to 111 mph. 60-0 mph braking takes 151 feet. Various agencies, such as park rangers, also use modified Jeep Wranglers for off-road patrol use.
Ford offers nearly stock models of their popular Explorer, Expedition and Excursion sport-utility vehicles. The 4.0L 210 hp 4WD Explorer is doing quite well in this respect, especially with rural agencies, although its 0-60 mph acceleration time is a pathetic 11 seconds, with a limited top speed of 105 mph and 60-0 mph braking distance of 165 feet.
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