AN: MSP to test five Chargers

1645 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by 68RT, Jul 24, 2013

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Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2013

The Michigan State Police will test five different versions of the Dodge Charger Enforcer in their annual comparisons this year, according to Police magazine. New for 2014 will be the long-awaited all-wheel-drive version, which will counter Ford’s suddenly popular all wheel drive squad cars and CUVs. Ford has been selling its all wheel drive Explorers to the police at bargain prices, along with its Taurus-based cars. General Motors sells two sets of police cars, the front wheel drive Impala and rear wheel drive, Australian-design Caprice. The Caprice is mechanically similar to the Pontiac G5, and has, as we predicted, spawned a civilian version, the Chevrolet SS. The Charger police cars are sold only with five-speed automatics, though civilian Chargers with V6 engines are only sold with eight-speeds. The police can, however, choose between 2.65:1 and 3.07:1 axle ratios with either engine in rear wheel drive; the all wheel drive version..

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JRS200x

· #2 · Jul 22, 2013

Error in the post:

"The Caprice is mechanically similar to the Pontiac G5,"

Pretty sure that should be G8.

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Paul J. Reed

· #3 · Jul 22, 2013

G5, LOL!

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willy4110

· #4 · Jul 22, 2013

To me it's just incomprehensible that Chryc wouldn't give them an eight speed for testing.

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Mike V.

· #5 · Jul 22, 2013

willy said:
To me it's just incomprehensible that Chryc wouldn't give them an eight speed for testing.

Because it is not available for service use yet. It makes sense and the 5 speed is adequate for now.

Why would Chrysler let the State Police test a vehicle that they can not purchase???

Mike

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PCRMike

· #6 · Jul 23, 2013

Let the severe duty testing take place then drop it on Ford's head next year.

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willy4110

· #7 · Jul 24, 2013

I was away for a few days...Let me repharase my comment. It's too bad the Charger police service vehicles do not have the eight-speed transmission. I'm sure the eight speed would perform considerably better in some of the speed tests. Is the five-speed adequate? Of course it is, but then so is the 2 speed Power Glide, or manual steeering, manual brakes, manual windows, AM radio etc. etc. It's not being satisfied with just adequate that has given us the many inventions and improvements that we currently enjoy.

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Mike V.

· #8 · Jul 24, 2013

willy said:
I was away for a few days...Let me repharase my comment. It's too bad the Charger police service vehicles do not have the eight-speed transmission. I'm sure the eight speed would perform considerably better in some of the speed tests. Is the five-speed adequate? Of course it is, but then so is the 2 speed Power Glide, or manual steeering, manual brakes, manual windows, AM radio etc. etc. It's not being satisfied with just adequate that has given us the many inventions and improvements that we currently enjoy.

When the 8 speed is more widely available, which it is not, I am sure it will make its way into the police cars. Until then, they have to use the tried and true 5 speed.

Comparing the 5 speed to a 60 year old Power Glide is a ridiculous exaggeration.

Mike

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valiant67

· #9 · Jul 24, 2013

willy said:
I was away for a few days...Let me repharase my comment. It's too bad the Charger police service vehicles do not have the eight-speed transmission. I'm sure the eight speed would perform considerably better in some of the speed tests. Is the five-speed adequate? Of course it is, but then so is the 2 speed Power Glide, or manual steeering, manual brakes, manual windows, AM radio etc. etc. It's not being satisfied with just adequate that has given us the many inventions and improvements that we currently enjoy.

That is an odd list there.
The 5 speed is adequte because the Charger can meet the specifications and often beat the competitors with that transmission.
A car with a PowerGlide, manual steering, manual brakes is not adequate, as the car would not meet the basic performance standard required in the tests.

A serious as they are about making the Charger a contender, if there was a huge clamoring from the fleets for the V6 8 speed Charger it would probably be released. It may be the cost. It may be that the V6 cars see city duty where lots of idling means a switch to an 8 speed from the 5 speed won't see huge fuel savings as idling is still 0 MPG with the 8 speed. Maybe even in V6 trim they want a heavier duty 8 speed before releasing to the police market.

The Hemi 8 speed doesn't exist as a production vehicle so it's easy to see why it wasn't included.

When it gets right down to it, a moderatly fast dependable squad will be preferred over a faster, troublesome (or even unknown reliability) squad.

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thumper

· #10 · Jul 24, 2013

A question just popped into my head... Would the Start/Stop feature be a positive or a negative for a police vehicle?

My initial thoughts are that start/stop is for short duration use (stop and go traffic) and wouldn't necessarily be appropriate for long duration use (police vehicle idling).

Just thinking...

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68RT

· #11 · Jul 24, 2013

Thumper said:
A question just popped into my head... Would the Start/Stop feature be a positive or a negative for a police vehicle?

My initial thoughts are that start/stop is for short duration use (stop and go traffic) and wouldn't necessarily be appropriate for long duration use (police vehicle idling).

Just thinking...

Negative. Too much electrical draw in normal operation to have stop/start.

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