Dodge in Hot Pursuit of Police Car Market

The result, in the Dodge Charger police cruiser at least, is a zero to 100

HEMI-powered Charger and Magnum police cruisers will get Chrysler's Mercedes-Benz derived five-speed automatic transmission. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

km/h acceleration time of just over 6.0 seconds.

For officers not in need of North America's ultimate power source Dodge will make its well-proven 3.5-litre V6 available, sporting the same 250-horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 250 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm it does in the base 300, and mid-grade Magnum and Charger. The same five-speed automatic fitted to HEMI-powered cars comes standard in police equipped 3.5-litre cars, so performance should be improved over the current V6-powered 300 and Magnum which only offer a four-speed automatic unless all-wheel drive is included. Chrysler has made no mention of an all-wheel drive police cruiser, but it only makes sense the option will be available if requested.

On another note, the inclusion of a 5-speed automatic with rear-drive police cruisers powered by the 3.5-litre V6, could mean that all 2006 model year LX cars, even those sold to civilians, except base models powered by the 2.7-litre engine, will get another forward cog in

The police spec Charger and Magnum get heavy-duty brakes and linings, plus antilock (ABS) and Emergency Brake Assist (BA). (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

the gearbox. If true, this would be a very important step in keeping the V6-powered LX cars competitive with rivals boasting five- and even six-speed automatic transmissions.

Making sure high-speed pursuit action doesn't get out of hand, in those jurisdictions which still allow such heroics, the police spec Charger and Magnum get heavy-duty brakes and linings, plus antilock (ABS) and Emergency Brake Assist (BA). The inclusion of Electronic Stability Program (ESP) might be the most important of all driver aids, while All-speed Traction Control will be appreciated for getting started in colder climes.