The Highway Patrol is still waiting to see what Detroit will offer to replace the trusty Ford Crown Victoria that the Patrol and many other police agencies rely on. Production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor model ends next year.  Last March, Ford rolled out a sample version of its proposed new police car–a re-engineered Taurus.  Although the Highway Patrol has Chevrolet or Ford pickup trucks and SUVs, depending on cost and specifications, it has stayed with the Crown Vic because it meets Patrol specs.

Spokesman Tim Hull says the Chevrolet Caprice and the new Ford Taurus are front wheel drive. The Dodge Charger is rear-wheel drive.  He says the Motor Equipment Division is reviewing the specifications to see which ones will hold up to Patrol use. 

“Holding up” is important because troopers put the cars through a lot.  That has meant rear-wheel drive for the Highway Patrol.  Hull says RWD cars seem to hold up a little better when officers have to take the cars off the roads, turn around in medians, and the like. 

He says all three might be in the running at some point.  The final choice will depend on what the Patrol specifies.  Hull does not know when those steps will be taken.

Tim Hull talks cars with Bob Priddy 3:04 mp3