Ford Interceptor Meets Chevrolet Caprice PPV and Dodge Charger Pursuit in Latest WOT Video

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Now that the Taurus-based Ford Interceptor replaced the body-on-frame Crown Victoria for police duty, the automaker faces stiff competition from the Dodge Charger Pursuit and Chevrolet Caprice PPV. Detroit editor Todd Lassa gives an exclusive look at the police cruiser market on this episode ofWide Open Throttle.

How do the three black and whites stack up? Each cruiser can be equipped with a V-6 making around 300 hp. Power from the Interceptor's 3.7-liter V-6 is routed to the front wheels while the Charger Pursuit's 3.6-liter V-6 and the Caprice PPV's 3.6-liter engine sends power out back. Ford doesn't offer a V-8, but its 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 produces a competitive 365 hp—10 more than the Caprice PPV's 6.0-liter V-8 and only 5 less hp than the Charger Pursuit's 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Departments ordering the Ford Interceptor with the EcoBoost engine also get all-wheel drive; a class exclusive.

The three cars are the largest offered from each respective brand, with plenty of room for a couple officers up front and room for a perp in the back. The Ford rides on 112.9-inch wheelbase, the shortest of the trio. The two rear-drive competitors' wheelbases are longer at 120.2 inches for the Dodge and just over 118 inches for the Chevy.

The Chevy Caprice PPV is built in Australia limiting its sales potential since many police department rules require police cruisers be built in North America.

All of the cars look good on paper, but as Lassa asks, "IfMotor Trendhad its own police department, which car would we drive?" Check out theWide Open Throttlevideo below to find out what car we'll use in a car chase with all three cop cars in next week's episode ofThe Downshift.

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