Carbon Motors created a great idea.

In November 2008 we reported the efforts of Carbon Motors to create a purpose-built law enforcement vehicle (HERE)

A year later, we reported that General Motors was modifying the Australian-based Holder V-8 sedan to be a US Chevrolet Caprice Police cruiser (HERE)

Finally, Ford has revealed it’s replacement to the 30 year old Panther-based Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Based on the Ford 500/Taurus chassis, the 2012 Ford Police Interceptor presents a competitive response to Carbon Motors.

Ray Wert, Editor-in-Chief of Jalopnik, posted the most comprehensive report of the new cruiser (HERE).  Ray compares the interiors of all three vehicles:

We’re told by police forces who’ve already seen the vehicle that nearly 90% of the interior’s been redesigned specifically for police. Ford’s done little things — like installing the slimline shifter on the column to free up more console area.

The instrument panel includes a horseshoe shape for aftermarket equipment installations. It even appears they’ve thoughtfully provided standard 9″ spacing between the passenger and driver — just like the Crown Vic — so agencies can transfer existing aftermarket equipment to their new Police Interceptor.

Ford’s also supposedly redesigned the doors to make them open 71 degrees. That’s not quite as good as the Carbon Motors concept’s suicide doors, but not too shabby — and better than the Caprice PPV it’ll really be in competition with.  (read complete article HERE)

The end result of this competition for the annual purchase of 60,000 – 75,000 police vehicles will be a better rig for our law enforcement colleagues.  Plus a nice ride for fire command officers.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward