When baddies start upgrading their getaway cars, authorities must be able to keep up. Meet the UK’s latest police patrol vehicles, the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ford Focus ST wagon.
The two new cop cars are currently being trialled across the UK, with South Wales Police being among the first to get their hands on the Ranger Raptor. The liveries are striking – both models are the product of Ford’s Special Vehicle Preparation division based in Essex, and the pair gets all-round emergency lights and sirens.
Mechanically, the Ranger Raptor and Focus ST wagon are bone stock. The pick-up truck is powered by the automaker’s new 2.0 litre EcoBlue bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, making 213 PS and 500 Nm of torque. A Getrag 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission provides snappy acceleration and responsiveness, and the Fox Racing Shox dampers, 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres, and high ground clearance make it the ideal chase car in rural locations.
Off-road numbers include an approach angle of 32.5 degrees, ramp over angle of 24 degrees, departure angle of 24 degrees, and water wading depth of 850 mm. Ford’s Terrain Management System is standard with six drive modes to cycle through. Off-road specific ones are Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock and Baja – the last setting primes the pick-up for maximum dirt performance.
Moving over to the city slicker, the Focus ST is powered by an all-aluminium 2.3 litre EcoBoost twin-scroll turbocharged unit offering 276 hp at 5,500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a seven-speed automatic can be specified as well. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 5.8 seconds for the manual.
