Gallery: 7 Awesome Rides That Would Be Great Cop Cars
Photo: GM012014-Cadillac-CTSV-Wagon-070-medium
With 556 horsepower and Brembo brakes, the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon’s sub-four second zero to 60 mph time means it will dust unsuspecting coupes like the Chevrolet Camaro SS, or even a late-model Aston Martin Vantage.
Photo: Daimler02Smart-Fortwo-Electric-Drive-2013-2
In an urban setting, a Smart fortwo would be much more useful that a hulking Crown Victoria. It'll zip through traffic and won't cause major congestion when officers double park.
Photo: Ford0314FiestaST-go-around-02-HR
Another small but super-pragmatic choice, the ST variant of the Ford Fiesta is another cheap hatchback that corners well enough to reward trained drivers in pursuit. The 2,750-pound curb weight means its 197 horsepower will be able to handle the added weight of police equipment without becoming lethargic.
Photo: Daimler042012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
If you’ve ever watched an episode of COPS, you know that sometimes a chase will go off the pavement and onto dirt roads or residential lawns. For those times, we'd want a 550-horsepower Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG in our stable. It'll go from a speed trap standstill to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, plus it has nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space.
Photo: Mazda05MY2014 Mazda 3
Not every precinct can have a Veyron or S8, so for an everyday workhorse patrol car, but the compact Mazda 3 is a fine substitute. Cops should spend a bit extra for the 2.5-liter inline-4 with 184 horsepower for ideal pursuit capabilities. You’d need something more serious for a Colorado winter, but the 3’s front-wheel drive will help when snow dusts the road.
Photo: Audi06S8130003-large--mid
Less conspicuous than Tony Stark's Audi R8, the S8 luxury sedan will show up in the rearview mirror of tall trucks while its V8’s 520 horsepower give it a sub-4-second zero to 60.
Photo: Ford072014 F-150 SVT Raptor
The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is the tool we’d take to patrol sand dunes and muddy fields. If the thrill of a chase is measured in number of times you go airborne, the Raptor’s 434 pound-feet of torque will launch it while the 11.2 inches of front suspension travel will cushion the landing. With someone else (thanks, citizens!) paying for the gas, the three-figure prices for filling up the 36-gallon tank won't sting so much.
