If you ever wondered what a modern police car is
like on the road, or wanted to find out what are the differences compared to
their regular production counterparts, The Straight Pipes are here to inform
you. The test car here is fitted with the entry-level 3.6-liter Pentastar
V6 engine that’s bolted to a heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission;
despite offering a respectable 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear
wheels, straight-line performance isn’t what you would expect from a police
car.
Apparently not every police unit can go into
high-speed pursuit but for those who can, the V8 engine options are a much
better fit for the purpose of this vehicle. Dodge has also fitted the police
car version of the Charger with its own performance-tuned suspension that
includes load-leveling Nivomat shock absorbers, a pursuit-rated braking system
and the characteristic 18-inch steel wheels shod in special tires.
The interior has been converted with things like a
vinyl carpet, modified seats and ballistic door panels while the cockpit
features a special center console that integrates the necessary law enforcement
systems. This includes the keyboard for the onboard computer, which can be
connected to the huge 12.1-inch touchscreen display of FCA’s UConnect system.
Other differences include that massive protective
panel between the front seats and the rear bench, as well as a special
surveillance system that uses rear-facing cameras to protect the officers from
any potential dangers.
Dodge is apparently the only car maker currently
offering a police sedan to law enforcement units in North America, as Ford has
stopped selling their Interceptor sedans.
