How to spot an under-cover police car

[Shay]

Found this out on the net............

What to watch for on the interstate



The Ford Crown Victoria is the most popular police car currently in production. Renowned for its durability, many speeders have seen this unfortunate sight in their rear view mirror. But there are other patrol vehicles that road warriors should recognize, and many of them are faster than the popular Crown Vicky.

Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor: The standard

Officers value the Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor for its durability, size, and overall performance. These cruisers feature reinforced frames, a special 4.6-liter V-8, and other heavy-duty components that enable them to handle high-speed chases. According to The Michigan State Police, the fastest Crown Victoria Interceptor will hit 128 mph.

Chevrolet Impala: Under the radar

The Chevy Impala is one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. This makes it the perfect choice for police departments who want a car that blends in with traffic. The Impala's familiar shape doesn't stand out or call attention to itself. Fitted with the special Police Package (code 9C1), this mid-size sedan with a 3.9-liter V-6 engine hits an impressive 140 mph.

Chevrolet Tahoe: Probably not taking kids to soccer camp

Some police departments need the strength and power that only a full-size SUV can deliver. Fitted with the special PPV option, the big Chevy Tahoe SUV can hit 133 mph thanks to its high-performance 5.3-liter V-8 with 320 horsepower.

Look for the black wheels with tiny center hubcaps as a tip-off should you see one unmarked or without a light bar.

Dodge Magnum: The wagon that knows how to haul

Dodge produced their last Magnum police car in 2008, but many police departments still have these station wagons in service. Fitted with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the wagon can hit 131 mph and charge up to that speed with muscle-car type performance. The wagon sprints from 0-60 mph in under six seconds.

HUMMER H3: Special duty

The H3 may be the smallest model in the HUMMER family, but it remains a very capable off-road vehicle. The police-version of the H3 is fortified for running off-road and carries other equipment necessary for police duty. The H3 can be equipped with a 5.3-liter V-8, but high-speed pursuit is not this vehicle's forte, except when the chase is across a desert, through fields, or over the Rubicon.

Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: King of the road

Police departments also utilize an assortment of motorcycles in their quest to keep motorists safe. The Michigan State Police test two-wheelers on an annual basis and the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide is a perennial favorite. While the Harley offers other performance benefits, with a top speed of just 104 mph, they are not the best for high-speed pursuits.

Dodge Charger: That cop car's got a HEMI!

The sight of a Dodge Charger police car should be enough to make you think twice about attempting to out run an officer behind the wheel of one of these. Equipped with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the Charger can hit a staggering 146 mph. This makes the Dodge the fastest mainstream police car available. But what about vehicles that aren't mainstream?

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Harper Woods, Michigan borders Detroit: It's a relatively quiet bedroom community that packs a big surprise for anyone speeding on the section of Interstate 94 running across its borders: a 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Acquired to boost "community relations" and to intimidate speeders, the Shelby's supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 puts out 500 horsepower and will easily exceed 150 mph.

Police ID: What to look for in unmarked vehicles

Departments often use unmarked vehicles, many of which will be identical to their fully outfitted cruisers. Unmarked cars and trucks enable more stealthy operations. Tips for identifying unmarked police cars include looking for; light bars mounted in the rear window, municipal license plates, painted black wheels, and dividers between the front and rear seats.

Future cop car: Coming to a highway near you

Carbon Motors, a new company located in Georgia, is developing the E7, a purpose-built police interceptor. With a wheelbase of 122-inches and an overall length of 200-inches, the E7 is bigger than current Crown Victoria or Charger cop cars. Power for the E7 will be a 300-horsepower clean-diesel that should give the car a top-speed of 155 mph.

[Markass]

Unmarked vehicles, not undercover.

The tell-tale signs are missing a few things that are usually pretty good giveaways.

Cute article, but it's info that every 16 year old should have already figured out.

PS: My favorite, and most utilitarian, is the Tahoe.

[RED ROUSH WA]

We have a few Ford F-150's here as well as the Expidition's both unmarked.
The most hardest to spot is the is the chevy Cobalt which is a car used to catch street racers.
It looks just like a kids street racer wing and all.
I've seen it once pulling someone over.
We have a car show called "Cop's For Kids's" and I should be able to get some photo's of some of these "Street Keepers."
Take it to the Track!!!!

[mkeane]

like to see a pic of that Shelby cop car

[Shay]

Originally Posted by mkeane

like to see a pic of that Shelby cop car

The is the best I could find, Harper Woods Mustang GT.

The article could very well be wrong on exactly what model the department has as it is from AOL. So many of these big media outlets have some squinty glasses, Birkenstock wearing, college interns with the intellect of that 16-year old that Markass referred to writing their stories. And whos only automotive qualifications to writing an article like this is that they have a driver's license - but normally ride the subway. To them, all Mustangs are a GT-500 if they have stripes.

Sidebar Example:

One of the funny stories in the Mustang media circles is about a writer the New York Times send to the 2007 Shelby GT-500 test drive event. Ford flew in media from all over the country to test the new Shelby on a race track, all the big newspapers, magazines and websites were invited. The New York Times sent a guy down with a small camera crew. He knew absolutely NOTHING about Mustangs admittedly so when he arrived. So most of his questions were like, "what is a supercharger and why is it good?" "How much gas mileage does it get and will there be a hybrid option?". So later in the event he is handed the keys to the car and after a few short minutes of uncomfortableness, he said that he did not know how to drive a stick shift and "did they have an automatic?".

Most of the Mustang and car media there were snickering...........hard. They guy was good about it, later admitted that the reason he was sent was because he was the only reporter on staff who was available to go to the event and also had a driver's license.

[Saint]

That last part about carbon motors new pd car was posted up with pics after I went to the SF Auto show:
San Francisco International Auto Show PICS!

[Seattle06Roush]

Seattle has a ton new unmarked chargers they use for speed traps. WSP has a Volvo wagon, and a gt stang local also.

[Star Driver]

Doraville, GA PD has everything from the list except the H-3, but they do have a few Marauders and Impala SSs running around. They also had an 05 Mustang as soon as they came out.

With the advent of LEDs, they are small and easy to conceal, however, if you look closely you can usually see them.

I did see a Maroon H-2 in Alabama recently.