When you see a movie or TV show about police cars, you just assume those cars are faster than the average cars you drive. It’s reasonable to assume police cars would be faster than normal police cars, but is this actually true? Can police cars go faster than normal cars?
In this article, I evaluate the speed of police cars as well as the engines from police cars. I also talk about the top ways police cars can be faster than the average cars.
Are Police Cars Faster Than Normal Cars?
Typically, police vehicles are faster than an average stock model car. Additionally, police departments often have specialty vehicles that are designed for pursuits and chases, and these vehicles will often be tuned differently than the other stock vehicles.
That being stated, there are many factory-built vehicles that are faster than a generic cop vehicle.
When looking at the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, based off the Explorer, or the Dodge Charger, you can and will see increased speeds with most vehicles that are designed for police departments. However, it depends on the modifications made to the vehicle.
How Fast Do Police Cars Go?
Most police cars are designed to go 155 miles per hour. Faster than average passenger vehicles which can get up to 120 miles per hour.
This can be seen with the Chevy Caprice, Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Dodge Charger. However, any vehicle that is outfitted for a police station can achieve those speeds.
There are countries where police cars can go much faster than those speeds. Japan, the Netherlands, Italy and United Arab Emirates allow their police vehicles to have a top speed of 250 miles per hour.
The speed of the police car is usually limited by the manufacturer of the car. Some models allow for faster speeds than others.
Nonetheless, police officers are expected to follow and abide by normal speed limits when not in pursuit or not on the way to a time-sensitive call.
The police department understands the importance of following traffic laws — like anyone who is not a police officer would do. For a police officer, the only time the police officer should be utilizing any fast speeds, is when time is of the utmost value.
Are Different Engines Used in Police Cars?
Are police cars faster because they use different engines? No, not often. Generally, the manufacturers have modified the existing engine so it can provide more power.
In the past, it was typical to see larger V8 engines in police cars for the power they produced, but it came with low fuel mileage.
Currently, you might see police cars with regular engines that are V6 or straight 4 or 6-cylinder engines. These have more balance and better fuel mileage but never lack any power, anyway when modified properly. With to upgraded modifications, which I will mention shortly, police cars will take off.
Common Modifications on Police Cars
#1. Better Alternators.
All of the accessories are powered out of the alternator but the alternator is also responsible for regenerating the battery when running. In a typical police vehicle, there’s way more accessories than passenger vehicle.
This is why police vehicles have higher rated alternators. Think about all of those lights and electronic equipment that needs to work perfectly when turned on.
#2. Tuned Engine.
As I mentioned earlier, police cars are usually a little faster than your typical car, but the engines are mostly just tuned, not bigger.
Just from a software enhancement, you can achieve ALOT more horsepower and torque, from a modern car. In fact, some can get over 50 horsepower from a simple software tune.
There are some hardware changes, but on most car models, a software change is more than sufficient.
#3. Better brakes/suspension.
What is more important than your cars suspension and ability to stop during a high-speed chase? Your standard suspension and brakes won’t cut it when the police car is in a high-speed pursuit.
Because of this, typically performance springs, shocks and stabilizer bars are installed. The vehicle should have larger brakes that stop better and faster. These simple upgrades are a safer way for the officer to pursue a suspect or felon.
#4. Aftermarket Cooling System.
I’ve already mentioned that the engine is upgraded with special tuning. Since these tunes provide an increase in capacity, the cooling system is required to be upgraded as well.
Police car engines will undergo much more stress than a normal car engine would. The regular cooling system will not suffice. The police car may be equipped with an upgraded radiator, high-performance cooler, larger radiator fans, etc..
#5. Heavy-Duty Bumpers.
Have you ever thought about the bar or bumper that you see on the front of cop cars?
These designs are heavy-duty, are built on to the car, and serve a useful purpose. They may come in handy in a situation where police may require a lower stress option to convince someone to get off the roads.
If a cop car needs to nudge someone that’s running, most likely, this will suffice with no damage to the police car with having to issue a full-on collision. In this special Bar/Bumper design, there will be minimal damage to the police car.
#6. Run-Lock Ignition.
Officers don’t have any extra time to turn off their car and their accessories every time they exit a vehicle.
Also, they also don’t want someone to take off with the car when an officer leaves the vehicle running. This is why a run-lock ignition is added to police vehicles.
A run-lock ignition is a special system that allows for the car to stay on, but in most cases, idle. The officer can take the key out of the ignition and issue further duties. So the car cannot be stolen until the officer comes back into the car with their key.
#7. Paint Styles.
What is the most noticeable feature of a cop car? Typically, it is a traditional black and white paint job that every police department used to utilize.
Along with unique paint schemes, most cities and counties will also choose to have their department logo on the vehicle. It is just an easy way to tell, at a glance, what department the vehicle represents.
#8. Communication Radio Equipment.
Police vehicles are outfitted with high-tech radio equipment for communication. The radio allows the police department to continually communicate back and forth with the dispatchers and governing dispatchers.
In the middle of a high-speed police chase, that radio is increasingly important. The police officer will need to provide coordinates during the chase so that others can join in and assist.
#9. Specialized Light Bars.
No one ever wants to see that distinct police light in their rearview mirror, but they are necessary to keep order. Each police car contains specialized lights that let people know it is time to pull over.
In addition to lights, there will be sirens added. Together, this system allows people to recognize when a police car is approaching at a high rate of speed.
#10. Upgrades to Back Seat.
When a criminal is in the back of a cop car it has to be secured. This is the reason behind the special back seat and divider design in your average police car to keep the police officer safe.
Mostly, the back seats are a little smaller than normal cars. The extra space is to help design these barriers, which leaves less space for people to sit comfortably.
#11. Trunk Space Modification.
Police officers sometimes need to carry considerable equipment and gear with them, but it also needs to be secured at all times. It is vital to have the right racks, extra racks, and secured containers, whether the trunk is used to transport weapons, evidence, or anything secure.
Sometimes, these alterations are done after the police cars are delivered, depending on the use of the vehicle. You can also find unique alterations for the seat area in front of everyone in secured positions so people cannot reach them.