2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Adds Safety Features

Ford has released additional details on the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility, which marks the first pursuit-rated SUV with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

First announced in 2018, the 2020 PIU Hybrid is projected to offer an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined, a 41% improvement over the current model-year PIU when equipped with a 3.7L gas engine. 3.0L EcoBoost and 3.3L V-6 engines are also available on the 2020 model.

Putting Officer Safety First

The all-new Police Interceptor Utility includes new technologies for officer safety. Factory-installed Police Perimeter Alert uses sensors to monitor an approximately 270-degree area around the vehicle. It detects nearby movement to alert the driver of any suspicious activity. When such motion is detected, the system automatically turns on the rear camera, sounds a chime, rolls up the windows, and locks the doors.

Available driver-assist technology includes Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, which features Pedestrian Detection and forward collision warning. Additional optional equipment includes Rear Camera On-Demand, which allows officers to view behind the vehicle at the touch of a button, and factory-installed and factory-sealed wiring and lighting packages.

The 2020 PIU is equipped with a Ford modem and two years of complimentary Ford Telematics service, offering fleet managers timely feedback of vehicle usage and location.

Ford puts the Police Interceptor Utility through rigorous testing, including a 75-mph rear-impact crash standard (compared to the 50-mph federal standard). The Police Interceptor Utility is tested for enhanced police durability, including improved cooling, specially tuned braking system, front-door tethers, and police-purposed steel wheels, tires, and hubcaps that are designed to withstand the rigors of a chase. The vehicle is also tested for eight-inch curb impact, median crossing, and 30-mph railroad crossing validation, and water fording to 18 inches at 15 mph and 10 inches at 40 mph.

The 2020 PIU were also tested at annual police vehicle testing events conducted last fall by Michigan State Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The all-new Police Interceptor Utility is offered with a standard 3.3L hybrid, plus available 3L EcoBoost and 3.3L V-6 engines. All are powered by a new 10-speed automatic transmission and feature standard full-time Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and deep snow/sand traction control mode.