New Ford Interceptor Utility Previews Next-Gen Explorer

The next-generation Ford Explorer will be very quick, if the police version is any indication. The 2020 Police Interceptor Utility, based off the next-gen Ford Explorer, is now the quickest cop car in the U.S., according to preliminary data from the Michigan State Police.

Although Ford hasn’t spilled the beans on the new Explorer, the Interceptor gives us our best look yet at the upcoming SUV as well as information on what will be under the hood of the civilian version. The cop car offers a 3.3-liter V-6, as well as a hybrid variant. These models hit 60 mph in 7.84 seconds and 7.27 seconds, respectively, according to police data. Both these vehicles are paired with all-wheel drive.

But it was the Interceptor’s available 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 that creams the police car competition. This all-wheel-drive Interceptor recorded the quickest 0-60 and 0-100 mph times of any other police vehicle tested, accelerating in 5.77 seconds and 13.59 seconds, respectively. It also clocked the quickest lap and quickest average lap. The Interceptor’s top speed is 150 mph, besting all entries again.

Here’s how the Ford stacks against its rivals:

The new Interceptor also previews design changes we’ll see on the new Explorer. From this teaser image provided by Ford, which we brightened to reveal more of the SUV, we can see the front fascia has changed, particularly the shape of the headlights.

Most likely arriving for 2020, the next-gen Ford Explorer will sit on a new platform shared with the Lincoln Aviator. This means it will likely be rear-drive-based, with all-wheel drive optional. The CD6 platform should also accommodate front-wheel drive, but Ford likely won’t go that direction for the new Explorer. A high-performance ST version is expected. Ford already has a 3.0-liter EcoBoost in its arsenal, one that produces 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque in the Lincoln Continental and MKZ AWD, but since that engine was said to be exclusive to Lincoln, it’s unclear if the one in the 2020 Explorer is the same.

Source: Ford, Michigan State Police

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