### The Evolution of Police Cars From Plymouth and Dodge to Ford and Chevy, American police cars have undergone significant transformations since their inception. While they share many similarities with their civilian counterparts, they are built with durability and high-performance capabilities in mind. ### Engine Power and Torque One of the most notable differences between police and civilian models is the engine. While many modern pursuit vehicles share the same power and torque specs as regular models, there are exceptions. For instance, the 2026 Chevy Tahoe PPV features the same 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 as the regular Tahoe. Similarly, Stellantis' law enforcement lineup includes the 2026 Dodge Pursuit and Ram Special Service Vehicles (SSVs) with similar flavors of the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 as their civilian versions. ### Hybrid Powertrains However, there are also hybrid powertrains available in police vehicles. The Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility, for example, features an ...
### The Evolution of Police Cars
From Plymouth and Dodge to Ford and Chevy, American police cars have undergone significant transformations since their inception. While they share many similarities with their civilian counterparts, they are built with durability and high-performance capabilities in mind.
### Engine Power and Torque
One of the most notable differences between police and civilian models is the engine. While many modern pursuit vehicles share the same power and torque specs as regular models, there are exceptions. For instance, the 2026 Chevy Tahoe PPV features the same 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8 as the regular Tahoe. Similarly, Stellantis’ law enforcement lineup includes the 2026 Dodge Pursuit and Ram Special Service Vehicles (SSVs) with similar flavors of the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter Hemi V8 as their civilian versions.
### Hybrid Powertrains
However, there are also hybrid powertrains available in police vehicles. The Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility, for example, features an exclusive 318-horsepower hybrid powertrain that’s unavailable on a brand-new 2026 Explorer. This powertrain is also available in earlier 2020-2023 Explorer model years.
### Police-Calibrated Engine and Transmission Tune
While the pursuit vehicle’s powertrain may be similar to the civilian version, it’s not identical. The police-calibrated engine and transmission tune provide a significant boost in performance, making it ideal for high-speed pursuits.
### Conclusion
American police cars are built for high-speed pursuits, with a focus on durability, high-performance capabilities, and specialized features. From engine power to hybrid powertrains, these vehicles are designed to keep up with the demands of law enforcement.
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