2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder: First Look

© Ford Motor CompanyPolice Pickup
When cruising the highway at speed, drivers will soon need to keep their eyes peeled for a new police vehicle from Ford — not the ubiquitous Police Interceptor Utility (based on the Explorer SUV), but a new F-150 law enforcement pickup. Today Ford introduces the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder, a purpose-built pickup to handle the rigorous requirements of police departments across the country. With an enhanced top speed, off-road prowess and the latest in Ford telematics, this specially configured F-150 should prove popular for law enforcement.

© Ford Motor CompanyAll-Around Performance
“Law enforcement agencies told us they would love to add F-150 Police Responder towing, hauling and off-road performance to their fleets, but they need more confidence in speed and handling,” said Greg Ebel, Ford police vehicle brand manager. “Whether suburban police departments, border patrol agents or rural sheriffs, officers never know where the job might take them, but the all-new F-150 Police Responder provides a pickup truck option engineered to get them there faster and with greater agility than ever before,” Ebel noted.

© Ford Motor CompanyBig Power
The 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder draws power from by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine producing 400 horsepower and 500 lb-feet of torque, teamed with a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. Not only does this potent engine provide the muscle for high-speed pursuit, it also has the ability to tow as much as 11,200 pounds when properly equipped — enough brawn for hauling a horse trailer, mobile command center or police boat.

© Ford Motor CompanyPursuit Rated
Responding to the requests of police agencies, Ford made the new F-150 Police Responder capable of high-speed pursuit — on or off pavement. Key to this pursuit request are the tires — this special F-150 rides on Goodyear LT 265/70R18 LRC BSW Wrangler Enforcer all-terrain tires specially developed for handling quick acceleration, high speeds and aggressive cornering on pavement while still providing needed off-road capability. With 400 horsepower on tap in tandem with the Wrangler Enforcer tires, the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder has a top speed of 120 mph.

© Ford Motor CompanyTorque on Demand
The 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder gets a new torque-on-demand transfer case with 4-Auto mode that uses an electrically actuated clutch to seamlessly adjust torque front and rear as needed. On dry pavement the system will stay in rear-wheel drive for maximum performance, but will engage the front wheels if the surface becomes slick. This torque-on-demand system works with Ford’s standard FX4 Off-Road package that adds skidplates, off-road tuned shocks and an electronic-locking rear axle.

© Ford Motor Company4-Auto Mode
Ford Police Vehicles Integration Manager Allen Magolan noted that the “4-Auto mode bridges the gap between 2-High and 4-High, and you see performance improvements as a result.” Magolan further observed that “On dry pavement is where you see the real payoff, because it allows you to carry more speed when cornering — a rare benefit in a pickup truck.”

© Ford Motor CompanyPolice Engine Idle
Exclusive to the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder is an available Police Engine Idle function. This bit of tech lets an officer remove the key and lock the vehicle with the engine still running, allowing the truck to continue to power the lights and sirens without and worries about vehicle security. Standard keys or keyless-start key fobs are available.

© Ford Motor CompanySpacious Interior
Police officers wear a lot of gear when out on patrol — one reason the roomier Police Interceptor Utility Explorer has become a preferred vehicle over sedans in many law enforcement applications. And now law enforcement agencies have an even more spacious choice — the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder has more interior passenger volume with greater head, hip and shoulder than any other pursuit-rated vehicle. Front seats are designed to make it easier for an officer wearing a duty belt to enter and exit the vehicle, as well as provide better comfort over a long shift.

© Ford Motor CompanyCustom Cabin
One innovative feature that Ford premiered on the latest-gen F-150 is the Interior Work Surface, which creates an adjustable flat space for getting paperwork done. This feature will be available on the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder; however, most trucks will likely be ordered with the console between the front seats deleted so agencies can install their own specially equipped center consoles.

© Ford Motor CompanyFront Seats
Seats in the 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder are trimmed in a police-grade heavy-duty cloth for extended durability. These SuperCrew-configured pickups have standard built-in steel intrusion plates in both front seatbacks to protect officers from any attacks attempted by occupants requiring transport via the rear seats.

© Ford Motor CompanyAdvanced Safety
Ford can equip the 2021 F-150 Police Responder with the latest driver-assist safety features such as pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, reverse sensing, blind-spot alert and rear cross-traffic alert. Unique to the Police Responder is a one-touch disable of the automatic emergency braking system.

© Ford Motor CompanyComing This Fall
The 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder will be built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. Agencies can place orders immediately with deliveries expected in fall 2021.

The post 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder: First Look appeared first on autoNXT.net.

More from Our Auto Expert

OAE TV