CHP Orders 580 Chargers

The California Highway Patrol will add 580 Dodge Charger Pursuit sedans to replace aging sedans and utility vehicles with higher mileage over the next two years, FCA US has announced.

FCA will begin deliveries this year and will deliver the majority of the vehicles next year. The agency initially told Government Fleet it would order 159 Charger Pursuit cars.

"The CHP is ordering our Charger Pursuit vehicle to reintroduce the sedan into their patrol vehicle fleet," said Bick Pratt, head of FCA US government sales and operations. "That's important to us because it reflects a shift back to sedans by a progressive agency like the CHP."

The majority of the Charger Pursuit sedans in the CHP order are powered by the 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine, which delivers 292 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 Charger Pursuit achieves an EPA-rated 26 mpg on the highway in non-police driving cycles.

The CHP's order also includes a small number of Charger Pursuit 5.7L HEMI V-8 models with Fuel Saver Technology to be used by training instructors at CHP's Emergency Vehicle Operations Course in Sacramento. The V-8 model delivers 370 hp.

The CHP order includes some Charger Pursuit sedans equipped with the Uconnect 12.1-inch built-in touchscreen that integrates with law enforcement computer systems.

Local agencies have the ability to purchase vehicles through the CHP contract through a process known as piggybacking.