Dodge Charger Police Interceptor

[Drache]

I must say the "new" Dodge Charger has been growing on me ever since the 4 door hype wore off.

Was watching Alaska State Troopers on TV and there was a call about a high speed chase. Anchorage PD asked the State Troopers for assistance. Now APD were all in Ford Interceptors or SUV's chasing a Cadillac SUV at 95mph+.

The State Trooper in his Charger joined the chase and you hear over the radio one of the APD guys state "I've got the Charger behind us." at which point the State trooper says he can take point. APD says ok and the state trooper simply replies "passing on the left" and blows by the 2 or 3 APD units like they were standing still.

That part made me giggle like a little kid. Not to mention the sound of that car sounds like there is some serious power under those blacked out hoods.

[projectanimal]

That is awesome!! 
There are a few new chargers as local police vehicles here, so we plan to stop and take some photos wih our car next year (if we're road worthy).   

[moparstuart]

saw this one on the way to work the other day

[Cooter]

Yep, those AMG's run pretty good.

[JB400]

See them at the car wash all the time.  There is only one problem with the Charger Interceptor, the more heavyset officers can't fit in it.  Too many donuts Dunno, but those guys end up driving the Tahoes or the old Crown Vic.  I haven't seen the Fords yet or even the Australian Chevy.

[Indygenerallee]

There is only one problem with the Charger Interceptor, the more heavyset officers can't fit in it.  Too many donuts Dunno, but those guys end up driving the Tahoes or the old Crown Vic.

Obviously you have never been in either car! The Charger is much bigger on the inside than a Crown vic, I am 6'8 and I have driven both. Charger is much bigger.

[JB400]

For me personally, I have been in both cars.  The problem lies in all the equipment that the police have to have in thier cars to thier job, not in the overall size of the car itself.  Thier equipment takes up quite a bit of space.

[Indygenerallee]

I should know I have 2 friends that are on our local city P.D. and they just got new Chargers last month I have sat in the driver seat of both, I state again the Charger is bigger.

[Tilar]

I know some of the guys up at the local state patrol post and they say the new Chargers are really faster than the Crown vic, but the Crown Vic is a lot more dependable. The Chargers are always in the shop for one thing or the other. 

[Cooter]

I know some of the guys up at the local state patrol post and they say the new Chargers are really faster than the Crown vic, but the Crown Vic is a lot more dependable. The Chargers are always in the shop for one thing or the other.  

Imagine That. One of my PO buddies said bout the same thing. Said the front ends feel like thye are ready to fall out when hitting rough roads.

[ACUDANUT]

Try putting a 300 pound man/women in the back seat of a Police Charger when the car has a cage in in.

[Ghoste]

So one is more suited to high speed pursuit and the other is a better perp cab.

[Tilar]

The Crown Vic wasn't anything to laugh at. I've had a few and they run pretty good for a full sized car. But it makes me want to drive one of the new Chargers... Provided it's on a good smooth road.

[Drache]

I seriously hoped the Officer walked away from this one 

[F8-4life]

I figure in another 10 years the cops are really gonna be out of luck, no more rwd they will probably have some euro crap as a only choice..
Once they stop using crown vic it will be the end of an era

[Ghoste]

Of course, whatever they are chasing is reaching the end of the era too.

[ACUDANUT]

I figure in another 10 years the cops are really gonna be out of luck, no more rwd they will probably have some euro crap as a only choice..
Once they stop using crown vic it will be the end of an era

Man where have you been. There has always been cities with FWD cop cars. RWD is not always the best.

[fc7_plumcrazy]

I know some of the guys up at the local state patrol post and they say the new Chargers are really faster than the Crown vic, but the Crown Vic is a lot more dependable. The Chargers are always in the shop for one thing or the other. 

at the end of the day they are still Mopars

[ACUDANUT]

Nope, they are  Fiats

[JB400]

I know some of the guys up at the local state patrol post and they say the new Chargers are really faster than the Crown vic, but the Crown Vic is a lot more dependable. The Chargers are always in the shop for one thing or the other.  

at the end of the day they are still Mopars

Nope, they are  Fiats

Your both wrong.  Try Mecedes  Lx platform has been going on sense the 300 and Magnum were introduced.  Having driven it though, I consider it worthy of the Charger nameplate.  Making it a 4 door helps the name continue for a few more years.

[Drache]

Having driven it though, I consider it worthy of the Charger nameplate.

Ive driven the Ford Interceptors a lot and they have some pep to them. If the Charger Interceptor can blow right by them that it would be a blast to drive 

[Chargen69]

I figure in another 10 years the cops are really gonna be out of luck, no more rwd they will probably have some euro crap as a only choice..
Once they stop using crown vic it will be the end of an era

Man where have you been. There has always been cities with FWD cop cars. RWD is not always the best.

for an in town car chase, my buddy at the local PD says the impala is great, you just point the front end of the car where you want it to go and mash the gas.

now interstate, different story, i had a new style charger do a u turn in the median and pass me to go get somebody, HOLY CRAP that thing was hauling the mail

[Drache]

5.7L HEMI: 370 hp/395 lb-ft of torque
Severe-duty engine cooling
215-mm rear axle
3.06 rear axle ratio
P225/60R18
Column-mounted automatic shift lever with 5-speed AutoStick
Unique performance front and rear suspension systems with load-leveling/Nivomat rear shocks

[Tilar]

I know some of the guys up at the local state patrol post and they say the new Chargers are really faster than the Crown vic, but the Crown Vic is a lot more dependable. The Chargers are always in the shop for one thing or the other.  

at the end of the day they are still Mopars

While that may be true, Ma Mopar has made her share of $hitbuckets and passed them off as cars, just like the rest of them.

Ive driven the Ford Interceptors a lot and they have some pep to them. If the Charger Interceptor can blow right by them that it would be a blast to drive  

Same here, I've owned a couple of the Crown Vic Interceptors and would love to drive one of the new Chargers.  

[Back N Black]

I have a question, little off the topic. Which car is faster? Challenger with the 5.7 L or the Charger with the 5.7 L?

[mauve66]

several years ago at the MATS

that light bar is sure short

[Drache]

I have a question, little off the topic. Which car is faster? Challenger with the 5.7 L or the Charger with the 5.7 L?

Challenger has 372hp and 400lb-ft torque, Charger has 370hp and 395lb-ft of torque.

[Tilar]

That's an interesting comparison. 

[Ghoste]

Do they weigh the same?

[Drache]

Do they weigh the same?

according to the dodge dealership the charger weighs something like only 50 or 60 lbs more than the challenger.

[Ghoste]

Less power and more weight for the Charger, I'd put my money on the Challenger.

[RangerDan440]

I like mine   Its an 09 with 80K on it, hopefully they will get me a new one this year but our budget is in the tank so who knows

[Drache]

I like mine   Its an 09 with 80K on it, hopefully they will get me a new one this year but our budget is in the tank so who knows

Interceptor?

[RangerDan440]

I like mine   Its an 09 with 80K on it, hopefully they will get me a new one this year but our budget is in the tank so who knows

Interceptor?

yes

[Chargen69]

i know somebody who bought an 08 from a guy that worked at Penske, it has a high dollar supercharger on it... can you say "Cant touch this"?

[Drache]

I like mine   Its an 09 with 80K on it, hopefully they will get me a new one this year but our budget is in the tank so who knows

Interceptor?

yes

nice!

I had a chance at buying one that was the full interceptor package; push bumper, cage, hidden light package, etc. Didn't have the disposable income at the time.  

[RangerDan440]

I like mine   Its an 09 with 80K on it, hopefully they will get me a new one this year but our budget is in the tank so who knows

Interceptor?

yes

nice!

I had a chance at buying one that was the full interceptor package; push bumper, cage, hidden light package, etc. Didn't have the disposable income at the time.  

I get paid to drive that one 

[resq302]

We had one of the first gen police package chargers (maybe an 06) that was out of service more than in service.  Thing was the biggest piece of junk.  We ended up replacing it with another crown vic.  However, since Ford stopped making the Crown Vic. we got some of the new 2012 chargers.  One of the 3 has been in and out of the dealership NUMEROUS times with traction bar or stabilizer bar problems which according to the dealership, is a common problem as they were on back order for about 2 mos.  The same vehicle also had to have the top part of the engine torn apart due to a ticking noise.

Now as for performance, they will out run a Crown Vic. hands down!  Even pass it like it is standing still as other people have said.  The down fall is that there is NO room in the back of the car for a prisoner.  Special cages have to be installed which sacrifice the front pass. seat or a lot of other modifications need to be made which we did not have to do with the Fords.  We have put in for one new Ford Interceptor sedan and one Ford Interceptor SUV.  Knowing the township, they will only approve one which means it will more than likely be the sedan.

[RangerDan440]

I dont care about the size of the backseat.  I sit in the front and whoever is in the back put themselves there.

I drove Crown Vics for years and Caprices before that and they all certainly had their problems.  We've had Chargers since 2007; the first batch had problems with the brakes and some computer issues here and there but the 5.7/5 speed has been a bulletproof drivetrain.  Theres talk of going of going to the new Taurus since Ford is tryng to undercut GM and Chrysler because they want the police car market back and we're all dreading that if its true. 

[resq302]

Maybe that is the new body style for the Taurus as I have not see one, just the Ford Interceptor police vehicle.  As for the back seat space, well, it will effect you if they have to move the front seat forward because that is as far back as it will go due to the cage being in the back.  Lack of adjustment of proper seat positioning will cause fatigue and other back problems and such.  Hence, why some have special half cages to allow for taller officers to be able to have the driver seat adjusted properly.

Honestly, I could care less how much room a criminal has in the back.  For what its worth, they could be crammed up in the back or shoved into the trunk on the ride to the cell or processing room.  You broke the law, that doesn't mean you get a cush ride to headquarters.

[ACUDANUT]

When I first started, we used Deplomats

[mauve66]

Less power and more weight for the Charger, I'd put my money on the Challenger.

do they have the same rear gears and tranny ratios??

[Ghoste]

Oh, great point.  I don't know the answer.

[DrHemi]

No 6.4s yet?

[JB400]

6.4's are too expensive.  City budgets only allow for cheap, new cars

[Drache]

Less power and more weight for the Charger, I'd put my money on the Challenger.

do they have the same rear gears and tranny ratios??

Ok looking into the SRT specs (yes I know we were talking 5.7 and not the SRT 6.4)

Charger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC (Charger SRT only has automatic?)

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 - limited slip differential

Challenger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 – limited-slip differential

SIX-SPEED MANUAL TREMEC TR-6060

1st 2.97
2nd 2.10
3rd 1.46
4th 1.00
5th 0.74
6th 0.50
Reverse 2.90

Final Drive Ratio 3.91 – limited-slip differential

[Back N Black]

Less power and more weight for the Charger, I'd put my money on the Challenger.

do they have the same rear gears and tranny ratios??

Ok looking into the SRT specs (yes I know we were talking 5.7 and not the SRT 6.4)

Charger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC (Charger SRT only has automatic?)

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 - limited slip differential

Challenger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 – limited-slip differential

SIX-SPEED MANUAL TREMEC TR-6060

1st 2.97
2nd 2.10
3rd 1.46
4th 1.00
5th 0.74
6th 0.50
Reverse 2.90

Final Drive Ratio 3.91 – limited-slip differential

That's cool, i did blow the doors off a 5.7 Challenger, i guess that means i can blow the doors(all 4) off a 5.7 Charger! 

[Kern Dog]

You are aware that the "Police Interceptor" is a FORD title, right?

[Drache]

You are aware that the "Police Interceptor" is a FORD title, right?

Yes but it sounds cooler that simply "police car" 

[moparstuart]

You are aware that the "Police Interceptor" is a FORD title, right?

NOT ANYMORE   

[RangerDan440]

Crown Vics kill cops

http://www.auto-accident-resource.com/gas-tank-explosions.html


Chargers save them (this officer survived with minor injuries)

[resq302]

All depends on the type of impact.  I have seen numerous crown vics which  the officers walked away from and question how they survived.  I also think a lot of it has to do with wearing a seat belt or not.

[Brightyellow69rtse]

we had a australian chevy at work the other day. i didnt get much to check it out but looks like they had to grease up the motor to get her to fit. the guy said the car made something like 330hp at like 3k rpm and that it could go 180mph.

[ACUDANUT]

No head on collison is safe, trust me....My 91 Plymouth Sundance (it was 9 months old at the time) Damn near crippled me for life.

[Lighthorseman]

We have one of the older-style Chargers as an unmarked.  V6, cramped, and not dependable.  I take a Crown Vic every time.

[Chargen69]

we shot news footage of a head on collison between a 2001 camry and a 78 firebird...  the camry was crushed all the way to the windshield, the firebird was not damaged that bad, front end smashed of course, but the driver's section was in pretty good shape.  the two old ladies in the camry opened their doors and walked away,the guy in the firebird died

[resq302]

Too many variables to say why the guy in the antique car died.  Was he wearing his seat belt?  Did he have any medical conditions? Etc.

[Ghoste]

Perhaps, but there is still no denying that modern cars are designed to crumple on impact and our old favorites were not.

[Troy]

To get back on track...

as much as I dislike the "new" Charger the newest ones (2012+) do look menacing as police cars. The State Highway Patrol has been switching over to them and now several local police departments have as well. They do look a lot better (different?) than the model they replaced. I also read that normal people can order a "fleet" version with steel wheels and all the electrical upgrades and such. Sounds cool - but I still doubt I'll buy one.

Troy

[dyslexic teddybear]

Interesting......

May need to explore the "fleet" option......

I've had 4 ex-police Ms....got them cheap at my states "surplus' action.....

Good tough cars.

I might be interested in one NOT hammered before I got it.

[Magnumcharger]

Less power and more weight for the Charger, I'd put my money on the Challenger.

do they have the same rear gears and tranny ratios??

Ok looking into the SRT specs (yes I know we were talking 5.7 and not the SRT 6.4)

Charger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC (Charger SRT only has automatic?)

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 - limited slip differential

Challenger:
W5A580 FIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC

1st 3.59
2nd 2.19
3rd 1.41
4th 1.00
5th 0.83
Reverse 3.16

Final Drive Ratio 3.06 – limited-slip differential

SIX-SPEED MANUAL TREMEC TR-6060

1st 2.97
2nd 2.10
3rd 1.46
4th 1.00
5th 0.74
6th 0.50
Reverse 2.90

Final Drive Ratio 3.91 – limited-slip differential

That's cool, i did blow the doors off a 5.7 Challenger, i guess that means i can blow the doors(all 4) off a 5.7 Charger! 

I wondered how long it would take before you had to toot your horn about our little "match" Eldon. Blowing the doors off? Not quite.
I seem to recall predicting exactly how the outcome of our contest would be: with my car's 3:92 gears and traction control, I'd take you off the line and leap out for a considerable distance. Did.
After your car stopped spinning, your horsepower advantage coupled with about 600 pounds less car weight, and 200 pounds of people weight would get you caught up fairly quick. Did.
Then with your 3:23 gears, eventually your top end would surpass my initial gearset advantage. Did.
I suggest a rematch...with an apples to apples approach. My Charger verses yours.


Oh, and I'm building a 426 Hemi BTW.

[Tilar]

You are aware that the "Police Interceptor" is a FORD title, right?

Ford might have been the first to put the actual words that said "Police Interceptor" on the car, but I had a 71 AMC Ambassador 401 that was a New York state Interceptor, The speedometer had the words "Certified" on it if I remember . That was probably the fastest car I've ever owned.

[mpd659]

We have had the 1st and 2nd generation Dodge Chargers at the Police Department where I work. They will reel in a vehicle that you are trying to stop really fast. The 1st generation had front end problems and the bushings had to be replaced. The second generation had a tick in the engine and the dealer ship replaced the lifters, only to bring it back worse that it was when we took it to them.The dealer finally replaced the engine using some of the original engine parts. The engine is ok now. We are currently having problems with the front end bushings. I drove it one day and stepped on the brakes and it sounded like someone hit the underneath of the car with a hammer. Upon inspection at a low speed when the brake pedal was pushed both front wheels moved about 2 or 3 inches towards the rear of the car. Our service department had to replace some front end bushings. Our Highway Patrol has no problems with the front ends of their Chargers, so I am assuming the stopping and constantly turning in town driving is alot harder on the front end than the cruising speeds on the highway. The Crown Vics we have are gutless, but the front ends hold up. Mopar needs to beef up the front end and then they will have a really good Police car.

[Ram07]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1210_chevrolet_9c3_detective_caprice_vs_dodge_charger_pursuit_vs_ford_police_interceptor

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

I had a 2007 Crown Vic CVPI and in the 6 yrs of ownership, NEVER had a problem, never any issue, never in the shop.

Was quick, comfortable, and spot-on reliable. I have never had a car so good, and kinda wish I had kept it. 

[ACUDANUT]

Why would Crown Vic's say "Police Interceptor".  They don't Intercept the police. 

[JB400]

Why would Crown Vic's say "Police Interceptor".  They don't Intercept the police.  

They intercept the donut delivery guy at the convenience store.  Otherwise, you might as well just call it a police cruiser.

[Lighthorseman]

I guess it's official - we're getting the new Ford Taurus things.  I had hoped we'd get the new Chargers - at least to see if they're better than the older ones.

Oh, well.

[ACUDANUT]

Why would Crown Vic's say "Police Interceptor".  They don't Intercept the police.  

They intercept the donut delivery guy at the convenience store.  Otherwise, you might as well just call it a police cruiser.

Yea, they are the Police. Do they intercept themselves ?    It should say "criminal interceptor"

[JB400]

Why would Crown Vic's say "Police Interceptor".  They don't Intercept the police. 

They intercept the donut delivery guy at the convenience store.  Otherwise, you might as well just call it a police cruiser.

Yea, they are the Police. Do they intercept themselves ?    It should say "criminal interceptor"

They have to do that first before they get the title.

[HeavyFuel]

Maybe not an interceptor, but our local cops have a silver low-pro car.....it looks pretty sharp....as does the female officer normally behind the wheel.