Building a Car Just for Cops

Appears in Print As: Building a Car Just for Cops

April 7, 2009

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are working with engineers from Carbon Motors to design and build a car specifically to help police catch bad guys. The result: The E7 sedan, the first car designed for law enforcement, slated for production in 2012. It comes with several features that should reduce the driver’s work load. These include a large touch-screen, voice-activated controls (with a manual back up), an automatic license-plate reader, night vision, and a radiation detector. In all, there will be 70 options from which local law-enforcement agencies can choose. These options include dual turbos for the engine, an undercarriage skid plate for durability, and front and rear ballistic protection.

A 300-hp clean-diesel engine can accelerate the car from 0 to 60 in 6.5 sec. It uses 40% less fuel than current police vehicles which are really just modified passenger cars. The vehicle should also last 250,000 miles. The CEO of Carbon Motors says demand for the vehicles has been overwhelming and he expects the first year of production to sell out before manufacturing begins. Currently, the location of the assembly plant has yet to be revealed. The price of the vehicle has also not been released, but the company says it will be comparable to that of a conventional police car.

Comments

Have we forgotten our history?

On May 28th, 2009 Andrew Horning (not verified) says:

Historically, who's always been our biggest problem? Thugs, or those who call themselves "the government?"
We should be very circumspect. The Land of the Free has the world's highest percentage of citizens in prison, and our per capita crime rates are over 600 times what they were when our government was much smaller, less intrusive, and more focused on protecting us than on protecting itself.
Recall human history, my friends. Think. Is this what we want?

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Building a Car Just for Cops

On June 3rd, 2009 Randy W (not verified) says:

Did you understand the concept? Why not build a specialized car for police instead of a retrofitted off the shelf civilian car? "The Land of the Free has the world's highest percentage of citizens in prison, and our per capita crime rates are over 600 times what they were when our government was much smaller, less intrusive, and more focused on protecting us than on protecting itself." Maybe we have more people in prison because they got caught. How would you like a less intrusive government when you dialed 911? How come I smell pepper spray on your breath ? :) Kidding.......... give the cops all the good hardware they need and deserve. ................. unless it's simply aimed at solving the global warming hoax. ;)

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As a consumer and a

On April 14th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

As a consumer and a mechanical engineer I applause this incredible design work. 40% less fuel hmm. i'd guess i would need a loan for 250,000. Now I drive an chevy avalanche 2005 4wd and it is an awesome truck. What about converting that into an awesome cop car or truck . You could chase the bandits thru water and climb hills and if you raised it a little they could climb on top of the bandits vehicle. lets see a machine gun here and a machine gun there. I love getting carried away dont you ?

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I wonder if it stops the

On April 14th, 2009 Anonymous (not verified) says:

I wonder if it stops the army weapons with the huge bullets.
I forget what weaponry that is but i think it starts with the letter M. Like a machine gun. like when the police were out gunned in california several years ago when the crazy person stole the tank and other military weapons. Maybe police should be driving tanks instead and just blow up the gang members and criminals. just like in Iraq. maybe that would get their attention. well of course the debate goes on do we arm the piublic or not. unfortunately moneys rules big time

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Cop car...

On April 7th, 2009 Kay Dyert (not verified) says:

At last ! It's about time someone designed a proper police vehicle and we move away from the 'make do' cars sold to the public. We did it with fire engines and ambulances decades ago.