2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Is The Fastest Cop Car Around – A Good Sign for the Upcoming Explorer [News]

You don't want to try and outrun this police SUV, and its performance may speak to a pretty quick next-gen Explorer

2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility
The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility is fast enough to make most perps think twice about running. [Photo: Ford]

The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility took top speed honors in Michigan state police tests.

Currently, the Ford Police Interceptor Utility houses one of two engine options. A 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6 with 305 horsepower comes standard. Or, if that’s not enough, police have the option of the 365 horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine as well. According to Ford, the upcoming 2020 Ford Police Intercepter Utility will pack an even greater punch.

Preliminary test data from Michigan State Police points to a pretty potent next-generation Explorer. The police version of the 2020 Ford Explorer will get standard all-wheel drive as well as an optional 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine. There’s also a hybrid version coming, and both models beat out their V8-powered rivals in police testing.

The EcoBoost-equipped 2020 Ford Police Interceptor utility beat out V8-powered sedans in 0-60 and 0-100 times. It also scored the fastest lap and fastest average speed in 32 laps of vehicle dynamics testing. The hybrid bested its V8-equipped SUV rivals like the Dodge Durango Pursuit and Chevy Tahoe PPV in the 0-100 sprint, as well as the fastest lap time.

So just how fast is it?

Michigan State Police also conducted top speed runs in each 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility model. The current 3.7-liter SUV hits 132 mph. However, the 2020 3.0-liter EcoBoost topped out at 150 mph, while the hybrid was governed at 137 mph.

It isn’t just performance where the new Interceptor Utility wins either. Ford promises the hybrid version will score a 40 percent improvement in fuel economy over the 3.7-liter V6 model. That will return “at least 24 mpg”, saving law enforcement units up to $3,500 per car per year on fuel bills.

Unfortunately, neither of these vehicles will be available for public consumption, as you’d expect. Since the powertrains will likely work their way under the civilian Explorer, though, it does lend perspective to the new car’s performance capability. Underneath, the bones of the 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility should match the standard Explorer. So, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost should offer some more punch. The hybrid will offer better performance and improved fuel economy over the old, naturally-aspirated model.