2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit dominates police cruiser scene

Last week, Dodge took advantage of the Michigan State Police’s famous Vehicle Evaluation Test to stick it to GM and Ford and set new benchmarks in the process.

The 2012 Charger Pursuit, motivated by a 292-hp, 260-lb-ft Pentastar engine, set a record lap time for a six-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine (1:37.71) or E-85 compatible (1:37.57).

The 5.7-litre V8 HEMI model, with its 370 ponies and 390 lb-ft of torque, dominated the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and Chevrolet Caprice PPV in the 0-100 km/h (5.83 seconds) and 0-160 km/h (13.65 seconds) tests.

With these results, the automaker has a convincing argument to put to law enforcement departments across North America.

Ford recently retired the Crown Victoria, the undisputed leader of the police cruiser scene for years now, and GM and Chrysler will do everything they can to snap up this profitable market, while Ford fights tooth and nail to hang on to its throne.

Let the games begin.

2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV at a glance

    Based on an extended platform of the Pontiac G8
    Engines: 3.6-litre V6 (301 hp, 265 lb-ft) or 6.0-litre V8 (355 hp, 384 lb-ft)

Ford Police Interceptor (sedan) at a glance

    Based on the Ford Taurus
    Engines: 3.5-litre V6 (265 hp), EcoBoost V6 (365 hp)

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