Dodge in Hot Pursuit of Police Car Market

Passive safety features include advanced multistage driver and front passenger airbags, a front passenger Occupant Classification

Aside from a long list of stock features, these specially equipped versions of the Charger and Magnum get a long list of police-only features. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

System (OCS) for controlled airbag deployment, constant force seat belt retractors, pretensioners, an energy-absorbing steering column, optional side-curtain airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system to alert officers of low tire pressure, which if left unchecked can dramatically reduce any vehicle's road-holding capability.

Specialty standard equipment only available on the police cruiser package includes a 100-amp battery power feed in trunk, a 160-amp high-output alternator, an 800CCA heavy-duty battery, a 257 km/h (160 mph) calibrated speedometer, cloth front bucket seats with manual lumbar and rear fixed bench seat, a column shifter to make way for radio equipment, easy path wiring grommet between underhood and the passenger compartment, an emergency rear-door-lock override, external oil coolers, and a performance tuned four-wheel independent suspension.

Added to this list is an integrated engine hour metre, P225/60R 18 V-rated all-season performance tires and 18-inch steel wheels, a performance-tuned steering system, police equipment interface module, police equipment mounting bracket, rear door locks and rear window switches inoperable from the rear seats, severe-duty cooling system, software-controlled alternating head- and

Production of the police specified Charger and Magnum will begin this fall at the Brampton Assembly Plant. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

taillamps, special electrical wiring for police market applications, speed control, and a stealth mode switch for interior lighting. Of course, additional equipment is available, depending on the use of the car.

Production of the police specified Charger and Magnum will begin this fall at the Brampton Assembly Plant, where all 300s and Magnums are current built, and where Charger will soon celebrate its lineoff. Cars will be available to federal, provincial and municipal police departments beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005, with pricing being announced to coincide with availability.