Diesel-powered Carbon E7 police car to go on sale in 2012
Click on the image above for a high-res image gallery of the Carbon Motors E7
Police officers are scheduled to have a much more fuel efficient choice beginning in 2012 when Carbon Motors finally introduces its E7 to the eager market. As it stands right now, most police cruisers come from Ford Motor Company, which modifies its aging Crown Victoria platform for the heavy duty workload with an uprated suspension and slightly higher state of engine tune. A dedicated platform seems to make a good bit more sense, so it's a little surprising it took this long for something to materialize.
The good thing about the long wait, though, is that the new E7 will be a fully modern machine, featuring lightweight aluminum unibody chassis architecture and a 3.0L turbocharged diesel engine with 300 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. That should amount to a vehicle that is much more fuel efficient than its predecessors, with Carbon estimating a figure of 28-30 miles per gallon in combined driving. The capability of accelerating to 60 in just 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 miles per hour is icing on the cake.
Gallery: Carbon Motors E7
[Source: Straightline]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paulwesterberg 4:14PM (2/06/2009)
They should have stop-start with battery backup for system electronics so they don't need to idle the engine just to run the computers.
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noz 6:51PM (2/06/2009)
That's a good idea...the amount of fuel wasted by these things just sitting around unnecessarily is really really stupid.
DouginLA 5:17PM (2/06/2009)
If they use an all aluminum body the car will be to light. Police cars need to be able to ram and run cars off the road and if they are to light they can not perform this function. That is why the cops forced to switch to the new Chevy Impalas were not happy, it was to light in the pants.
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JDred 6:44PM (2/06/2009)
Nice idea, but I don't see it replacing Chargers, Vickies, or Impalas any time soon. It costs more than a regular sedan with the Police package and the additional equipment that a Dept. puts in the squad.
It'll probably sell well with large Departments. But with smaller agencies, very few will buy them.
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ale 8:53AM (2/07/2009)
I understand the concern, but I dont believe that Carbon is really trying to penetrate the small department market, I think they would be happy with large departments. Small departments, especially in this economy, are not gonna have that much resources to buy new squad cars of any kind...
noz 6:50PM (2/06/2009)
I think Robocop is going to be a reality soon. If they are not careful, these cartoon character cars aren't going to be taken seriously.
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UH2L 6:55PM (2/06/2009)
That's a cop car I would actually be willing to buy. It looks clean, modern, cool interior, diesel with lots of torque and power. As JDred mentions, I just don't know if police departments will be willing to take on new parts, tools, and service procedures and training unless it's a much better police car. The diesel will save them fuel money though.
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Nick 7:04PM (2/06/2009)
There's practically no bumpers on it. That does not make sense on a Police cruiser that's supposed to be able to hit and push other vehicles
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Chris M 7:32PM (2/06/2009)
The primary purpose isn't to hit or push other vehicles, except as a last resort. Still, you're right, it could use better bumpers.
Brn 12:35PM (2/09/2009)
"The primary purpose isn't to hit or push other vehicles, except as a last resort"
Chris, if you ask a dozen departments on this, you'll get a dozen answers. My local department (about 120 officers) uses the pitt maneuver as a means of FIRST resort. Their attitude is that chases are more dangerous than a well executed pitt. As a result, they pitt as soon as it is safe to do so. It's not uncommon for a chase to enter my city and have the pitt maneuver executed within the first few seconds.
ryan 7:02PM (2/06/2009)
Diesels usually use a lot less fuel while idling, compared to gasoline-engine based cars.
On the flip side of the coin, (at least in the VW TDI's case), idling a turbo-charged diesel for extended periods of time can cause lead to turbo failure and EGR problems.
The range will be better with these than a regular patrol car though.
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Chris M 7:31PM (2/06/2009)
Hybrids don't have to use ANY fuel while stopped, the engine is only started and run when needed. With lots of battery power and a high power electric motor for starting, getting the engine running isn't any problem.
ryan 7:56PM (2/06/2009)
That is very true. There are currently no diesel electric hybrid vehicles on the market though. A regular gasoline electric hybrid could be a decent option.
Police cars have a much more wide range of motions that they are put through, compared to the average driver's demands though. Well-built turbo diesels can go strong for hundreds of thousands of miles, with no worry about battery packs.
What it really comes down to though is performance. A police car has to be able to perform when the time comes. Perhaps the best solution would be a mild-hybrid with an engine stop feature for when the car is parked.
Michael 8:15PM (2/07/2009)
makes me want to join the force
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terrence_bethea 9:46PM (2/06/2009)
Very few cops will EVER ram another vehicle. Such maneuvers are comparable to using fully automatic weapons on a crowded street. In essence, the risk of harm to the innocent greatly outweighs the perceived benefit.
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Nick 5:38PM (2/07/2009)
Ever wondered why Police cars have additional / reinforced bumpers?
They are involved in speed chases and are also getting hit by others more often than you would on your commute. Driving through red lights, even with the siren on, is still dangerous. They're also used to push objects that ae blocking the road etc.
Have no doubt about it, a Police car HAS to have beefier bumpers that make its drivers feel safe, are easy to fix or replace.
Michael W Taylor 8:21PM (2/07/2009)
cut to the chase.... bad guy speeding towards a crowded part of town where your children are playing in the street on their bike and skateboard....should the police A. ram the car off the road or B. let them run over one of your kids? the fact is each time is case by case and hopefully the right choices are made and your kid lives and the bad guy's caught. ramming capability needed.
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