Photo of 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit courtesy of FCA US.

Photo of 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit courtesy of FCA US.

The California Highway Patrol will roll out its 159 2016 Dodge Charger Pursuit police cars this summer after equipping them with police-specific equipment.

Earlier this year, the agency purchased the black-and-white units from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The rear-wheel-drive cars will be powered by V-6 engines so the agency can reduce emissions, said Fran Clader, the CHP's director of communications.

"In keeping with our state’s commitment to be environmentally responsible and reduce emissions, the CHP has elected to purchase the V-6 versus the V-8 patrol vehicle," Clader said. "The V-6 provides for fuel efficiency while also ensuring the vehicle performance required to do the job. Doing so helps us to contribute to reducing our carbon footprint."

The vehicles cost $27,140 per unit.

FCA will begin delivering the vehicles in July. Once FCA has delivered all the sedans, the CHP will equip the vehicles using an assembly-line process. The agency's automotive technicians will install a CHP communications system. The units will be deployed with roof-mounted lightbars as well as "slick-top" units with forward red emergency lighting in the windshield and a left A-pillar spotlight.

New cars will replace existing police vehicles with the highest mileage, including Ford Crown Vics, Dodge Chargers, and Ford Police Interceptor Utility SUVs. The agency replaces vehicles when "it is not economical to continue operations, or when it has become unsafe or no longer cost-effective to operate the vehicle," Clader said.

The agency has purchased 10 vehicles that include the 12.1-inch embedded screen offered as a factory option for the first time with the 2016 model year. After officers test the system and give feedback, the Information Management Division will determine whether the screen will support CHP's current data systems.

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