Ford has unveiled the all-new 2021 pursuit-rated F-150 Police Responder and opens the government order bank March 17.
The F-150 Police Responder features increased capability, including an improved 120 mph 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, and wireless software updates.
Introduced in 2017 as an all-terrain law enforcement tool, F-150 Police Responder is built on the 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 centers. 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, according to Ford.
“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.”
Improved Performance
F-150 Police Responder pickup’s standard 3.5L EcoBoost engine produces 400 hp, and its 500 lb.-ft. 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 tires. As the only all-terrain tires available on a pursuit-rated police vehicle, they’re designed to handle fast acceleration, high speeds, and aggressive cornering on paved roads, and can endure the heat generated in pursuits without sacrificing off-road capability.
A new torque-on-demand transfer case includes 4-Auto mode, with an electrically actuated clutch that automatically adjusts torque as needed to provide “set it and forget it” capability for 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.
The torque-on-demand system couples with the standard F-150 FX4 Off-Road Package to give officers 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 center, or other equipment, F-150 Police Responder tops all other pursuit-rated vehicles with a standard towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. and available towing capacity of 11,200 lbs., in addition to its payload capacity of 2,030 lbs.
The F-150 Police Responder has more interior passenger volume and more head, hip, and shoulder room than any other pursuit-rated offering.
Photo: Ford
Purpose-Built for Officers
Available new Police Engine Idle lets an officer remove the key from the ignition and securely exit the truck with the engine running. SYNC 4 with cloud connectivity is standard, with an 8-inch touch screen in the center stack and an embedded modem with wireless software updates. Like all Ford commercial vehicles, F-150 Police Responder offers available Ford Telematics.
Upfitting is made easy with features such as a front console-delete, universal top tray on the instrument panel, and rear power lug. The 40-blank-40 front seat configuration lets agencies install their own department-specific center console.
The interior features built-in steel intrusion plates in both front seatbacks for officer safety, as well as red-and-white task lighting.
F-150 Police Responder is assembled at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri, and arrives in fleets later this fall.
