DaimlerChrysler to Ford: It's time to pull over.
The German automaker's Chrysler Group hopes to become a serious contender in the police-car market with a police version of the Hemi-powered Dodge Magnum, which will go on sale next year.
The automaker said Thursday that the Magnum will offer the ultimate in police-car performance, packing up to 340 horsepower for its Hemi V8 models. The automaker also will offer a police model with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that will get up to 250 horsepower, the company said. Both models will be rear-wheel drive.
A Hemi is a powerful engine named for the shape of its combustion chamber.
The civilian version of the Magnum hit showrooms in May. The police version will include such features as heavier-duty breaks and suspension.
This fall, Chrysler will make available to police a Magnum designed for non-pursuit duties. The V6-powered special service Magnum will be called the SXT.
Experts say the Magnum could be the first major competitor to Ford's Crown Victoria Police Interceptor in a long time. The Crown Victoria owns about 80 percent of the market and has been the overwhelming choice of law enforcement officials since the late 1990s.
The Crown Victoria has come under scrutiny in the past few years due to fuel-tank fires following high-speed, rear-end collisions that have killed 18 officers. The fires have worried police departments, and some have opted to add their own safety features to the vehicles, such as fuel-tank bladders, which are protective tank liners.
Ford insists that its police vehicles are safe, a contention supported by a federal government investigation.
Police departments throughout the nation stand by the Crown Vic because it is the only full-frame, rear-wheel-drive car option.
There's a perception among the police community that rear-wheel-drive vehicles have better handling and durability than front-wheel-drive cars because of the way they are structured.
Chrysler had offered the Dodge Intrepid as a police car, but it never gained much popularity because it had front-wheel drive.
The Magnum's fuel tank is in front of the rear axle, which experts say provides an added level of safety for the gas tank. The Crown Victoria's gas tank is behind the rear axle. Critics have said the Crown Victoria's design leaves the fuel tank unprotected.
James Manning, public information officer with the Auburn Hills Police Department, said the department is considering ordering Magnums to replace its Dodge Intrepids. He said officers are most impressed with the vehicle's space.
"I think they'll welcome them," he said. "The officers got to drive the Magnum. They were impressed with the amount of room."
But just because the Magnum is a rear-wheel-drive car doesn't mean it will necessarily drive the Crown Victoria off the road.
Art Spinella, who studies the industry for CNW Marketing/Research, said police officers like the Crown Vics despite all the controversy. Part of that stems from the fact that the car is easy to repair and maintain. Parts for the vehicles are also plentiful because the car has been on the road for some time.
"When we do surveys of police departments -- which is about every 18 months -- the Crown Victoria is the vehicle of choice at least 70 percent" of the time, Spinella said.
"There will be some departments that try the Magnum, but it will be a hard sell."
Ford officials say they expect their company to hold its ground.
"Police officers really love the Crown Victoria," said Carolyn Brown, a Ford spokeswoman. "It gives them the power, performance and the package they need."
Gerry Appie, manager of fleet and engineering for the Chrysler Group, said there are no sales or market share targets for the Magnum police car.
Chrysler to enter cop car market.
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