Part of America’s best-selling police vehicle lineup, the all-new F-150 Police Responder features increased capability, including an improved 193kph top speed, automatic four-wheel-drive mode with torque-on-demand transfer case to help patrolling officers transition from busy urban streets to dusty country roads.
Introduced in 2017 as a unique all-terrain law enforcement tool, F-150 Police Responder is built on the all-new 2021 F-150 SuperCrew platform and engineered to meet a wide range of agency needs – from allowing officers to travel with more emergency response gear to transporting mobile command centres.
Ford claims the truck continues to deliver greater towing capacity**, payload capacity*** and interior passenger volume than any other pursuit-rated police vehicle, and for 2021 adds even more capability.
“Law enforcement agencies told us they would love to add F-150 Police Responder towing, hauling and off-road performance to their fleets, but they need more confidence in speed and handling,” said Greg Ebel, Ford police vehicle brand manager.
“Whether suburban police departments, border patrol agents or rural sheriffs, officers never know where the job might take them, but the all-new F-150 Police Responder provides a pickup truck option engineered to get them there faster and with greater agility than ever before.”
F-150 Police Responder pickup’s standard 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine produces 400hp, and its 680Nm of torque tops all pursuit-rated police vehicles. The engine is paired with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission – both uniquely calibrated to meet rigorous law enforcement use while enabling speeds significantly higher than a stock F-150.
To help reach – and withstand – those high speeds, the vehicle rides on specially developed Goodyear LT265/70R18 LRC BSW Wrangler Enforcer all-terrain tyres.
As the only all-terrain tyres available on a pursuit-rated police vehicle, they’re uniquely designed to handle fast acceleration, high speeds and aggressivey cornering on paved roads, and can endure the heat generated in pursuits without sacrificing the off-road capability Police Responder drivers have come to expect.
A new torque-on-demand transfer case includes 4-Auto mode, with an electrically actuated clutch that automatically adjusts torque as needed to provide exceptional “set it and forget it” capability for seamless terrain transition.
On high-friction surfaces such as dry pavement, the system runs in two-wheel drive for maximum performance and improved handling around corners, avoiding the “crow-hopping” that commonly slows a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If a pursuit shifts to slick or loose surfaces, the 4-Auto system simultaneously directs power to all four wheels, allowing officers to remain focused on the job at hand.
“4-Auto mode bridges the gap between 2-High and 4-High, and you see performance improvements as a result,” said Allen Magolan, Ford police vehicles integration manager. “On dry pavement is where you see the real payoff, because it allows you to carry more speed when cornering – a rare benefit in a pickup truck.”
The torque-on-demand system couples with the standard F-150 FX4 Off-Road Package to give officers outstanding off-road capability. The FX4 package includes underbody skid plates, off-road-tuned shocks, electronic-locking rear axle and Hill Descent Control to help maintain speed while driving down an incline.
For departments that need to tow a boat, horse trailer, mobile command centre or other equipment, the F-150 Police Responder is said to top all other pursuit-rated vehicles with a standard towing capacity of 3,175kg and available towing capacity of 5,080kg, in addition to its payload capacity of 920kg.
An available Trailer Tow Package adds the convenience of Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The available Tow Technology Package adds a 360-degree camera, Trailer Reverse Guidance and integrated Trailer Brake Controller. Smart Trailer Tow Connector is standard on Class IV hitch-equipped vehicles and adds Trailer Coverage to the available Blind Spot Information System.
F-150 Police Responder is assembled at Kansas City assembly plant in Claycomo, Missouri, and arrives in fleets later this fall.
