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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 17, 2010 · 14 All-new Ford Police Interceptor purpose-built to lead market Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine Ford has revealed its all-new, purposebuilt Police Interceptor sedan while also confirming production of a Police Interceptor utility vehicle. The new car will be available when production of the current Ford Crown Victoria ends in late 2011. To develop the all-new Police Interceptor, Ford engineers worked handin-hand with Ford's Police Advisory Board of law enforcement professionals, which provided input on key vehicle attributes such as safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality. Continuing Ford's safety leadership includes engineering the Police Interceptor to pass 75-mph rear-end crash testing. Currently, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the only pursuit sedan to meet this test. The new Police Interceptor also features Ford's exclusive Safety Canopy® side-curtain air bag rollover protection system to help protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollover and side-impact crashes. The multiple side-curtain air bags use Ford's unique Roll Fold technology to help them slip between the occupant and the side window. Ford's Police Interceptor engine strategy will provide a V6 lineup that performs equal to or better than V- engines. The lineup comes with two powertrain options, allowing police to choose the powerhouse that best meets their patrol requirements. A highly efficient 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering at least 263 hp and E85 compatibility is 25 per cent more efficient than the 4.6-litre Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) V8 offered in the current Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Plus, an all-new 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine will deliver at least 365 hp and 350 ft/lb of torque across a broad rpm range. SH-AWD adds stability to twists and turns Continued on page 14 From launch, the system can direct up to 60 per cent of torque to the rear wheels, but in normal driving, grip is neutral. Accelerate and traction goes to the rear as needed. Slow and traction goes partially to front as needed for better handling. So far this is fairly typical of AWD systems. But where SH-AWD comes into its own is in cornering where up to 100 per cent of torque (depending on speed) goes to the outside back wheel as it rotates faster than the inside wheel. Not only do the rear tires remain stable but the front tires are able to carve through the corner with less sideslip. An example of where you find this happening is on a highway on ramp. As you transit through the bend, the car feels incredibly stable. Give it the gas and it still feels like it is on rails instead of trying to "push" to the outside of the curve. Cruising down the highway there is also a feeling of solidity along with almost no outside noise or vibration coming into the cabin. I advise anyone thinking of buying this car to take it on a twisty road you know and experience it for yourself. While you might think the "Technology" part of this car's name is about the SW-AWD system, it's actually a trim package available on both TL models and includes a nav/infotainment system with, get this, trilingual voice recognition that understands up to 800 verbal commands. Part of this is the 440-watt surround sound audio that will play any kind of USB/CD/MP3/satellite you've got. But it also has a very large centre-dash mounted monitor with backup camera with graded lines. As long as you stay between the lines, you won't bump into anything. Amazing! With a list price of $48,490, and a tested price of $50,794, there isn't too much more you'll need unless you want to indulge in a list of options like super bright chrome 19-inch wheels or full nose mask for our Canadian winters. Considered a mid-size car, the TL as tested is bigger inside and out than some domestic full-size cars I can think of and it is also priced about the same as one or two I can think of. While the name may have changed, the spirit and quality that made Acura a synonym for quality is still very much there. And with its combination of responsive engine and superior handling, the 2010 Acura TL with SH-AWD is a very formidable piece of performance sedan.