Ford has introduced the 2018 F-150 Police Responder.
Set to go on sale this fall, the truck is being billed as the “industry’s first pursuit-rated pickup” as it features a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that produces 375 hp (279 kW) and 470 lb-ft (636 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system which enables the truck to hit speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h).
The Police Responder is based on the F-150 FX4 and comes with a SuperCrew body that gives the model the largest passenger volume, payload, and towing capacity of any pursuit-rated police vehicle.
Since the truck was specifically designed for police duty, it has been equipped with a beefier front stabilizer bar, an upgraded braking system, and 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires. The truck also has a 240-amp alternator, a police-specific speedometer, underbody skid plates, and a class IV hitch which enables it to tow up to 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg).
Moving onto the interior, police officers will find a column-mounted shifter and heavy-duty cloth front seats with anti-stabbing plates. The truck also has a heavy-duty vinyl floor for easy cleanup.
According to Ford’s police brand marketing manager Stephen Tyler, “Aside from its industry-first on-road pursuit capability, this purpose-built pickup can comfortably seat five, while providing capability in off-road patrol situations for officers in rural environments patrolled by sheriff’s departments, border patrol operations and the Department of Natural Resources.”