BMW, Carbon Motors ink $1.35B supply contract

[John Ranalletta]

BMW will supply 6-cylinder diesel engine and most of the innards for a new line of police cruisers.

 

Story here.

[philbytx]

And HERE is the link to Carbon Motors. A "Homeland Security" company....!!

[motoguy128]

unless it's cheaper than the current Crown Vic.... law enforcement agencies across the country will be hurting financially.

 

And forget about producing some sort of compact car. I'd like to see some of our 6'3" 230lb officer with their gun belts fit into the seat of a even a typcial midsized car. They need a ffull size car for all of the equipment and for the officers to work comfortably out of their "rolling office" all day long.

 

One thing the LEO's I've taled to agree on, is that they don't need pwoer. A car that's quick and handles well is adequate. You don't chase cvehciles at high speed, and most LEA don't do highway patrol where you're trying to catch up to vehciels that are doing 80mph.

 

It will be interesting to see where this company goes. But an imported BMW I-6 diesel sounds pricey.

 

Actually, what LEA need, is a durable chassis, with a drivetrain that can be rebuilt or replaced.

 

Actually a if you could build a kit to economically replace the existing 4.6L V8 in the Crown Vic with a newer more efficient powertrain, you might have a winner.

[cali_beemer]

unless it's cheaper than the current Crown Vic....

 

 

Actually, I believe the car to beat price wise is the Dodge challenger.....They are popping up here in the Sacramento area almost as fast as they can build them. Also, on a side note, ford is ditching the crown vic for its police cars as it just unveiled a new police interceptor based on the new Taurus lineup and has the offering of the 365hp ecotec V6. This car was carefully planned for years as they worked with many agencies to finely hone what they want in a car. Many of the interior peices are completely different than the civilian taurus to cater the LEO needs.

[motoguy128]

unless it's cheaper than the current Crown Vic....

 

 

Actually, I believe the car to beat price wise is the Dodge challenger.....They are popping up here in the Sacramento area almost as fast as they can build them. Also, on a side note, ford is ditching the crown vic for its police cars as it just unveiled a new police interceptor based on the new Taurus lineup and has the offering of the 365hp ecotec V6. This car was carefully planned for years as they worked with many agencies to finely hone what they want in a car. Many of the interior peices are completely different than the civilian taurus to cater the LEO needs.

 

I read all that. That's all nice if you're adding to your fleet. But most cities are just replacing existing crown vics. You can get a new Crown Vic and refit the existing computer hardware, lights, sirens, and rear cage pretty cheap. With a all new platform, you have to start frmo scratch with most of that equipment. That can add a LOT to the overall price tag.

 

A new platform was inevitable I suppose. That HO Ecotec is nice. But for patrol duty around town, the naturally aspirated version still makes about as much power than the outgoing 4.6L, but in a lighter chassis and with a better transmission.

 

I think too much is made of RWD vs. FWD.

 

hybrid powertrain would fit well funtionally (lots of stop & go, idling, and quick accleration at low speeds) for police duty as well, but you give up too mcuh cargo room, there's the inital cost, durability and longevity. Although first gen Toyota Priuses I've heard have held up better than expected.

[upflying]

Crown Vicky's are being phased out by Ford. Civilians can't even buy new ones anymore. Ford's new police car will be the Taurus.

The Carbon E7 is very, very expensive. Cities and states are now broke. Where is the money coming from? Where do you get warranty and maintenance work done? Who will buy an E7 when it is retired?

Someone mentioned Dodge Challenger. Did you mean to say Dodge Charger? Yep, drove them. Hard to see out and it has a itty-bitty trunk.

GM is talking about a new Chevrolet police car based on the Holden from Australia. This is what it will look like.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/446181,17539/2011-Chevrolet-Caprice-Police-Car_photo.aspx

The Chevrolet Tahoe is another police vehicle option.

 

[John Ranalletta]

The Carbon E7 is very, very expensive. Cities and states are now broke. Where is the money coming from? Where do you get warranty and maintenance work done? Who will buy an E7 when it is retired?

Carbon, like GM, is dependent upon Uncle for its survival. When the time comes, Uncle will make it happen through outright grants to governmental bodies to "afford" the Carbon product. With Uncle placing bets on red and black, it should offer an interesting outcome.

[cali_beemer]

Someone mentioned Dodge Challenger. Did you mean to say Dodge Charger? Yep, drove them. Hard to see out and it has a itty-bitty trunk

 

Yeah, my bad, I meant charger...I mix those 2 all the time. I doubt the trunk will compare to a crown vic but the trunk of a civilian charger seemed pretty good. The wife and I test drove one the other night with a hemi. Nice car. I cant comment on police use and/or requirements/expectations.

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

I believe that part of the extra expense in a Carbon will be the "turn-key" platform? Basically they'll be designed to need very little outfitting. Also, the Carbon is supped to have "command presense." They won't be sold for the civilian market, so when one agency is done with it they can sell it to another or back to Carbon. I wouldn't even be surprised if the first bunch of them go out as leases.

[upflying]

Command presence don't mean squat to drunks, addicts, criminals, low lifes, scum bags, one percenters and dysfuctionals. It don't matter what kind of car they ride and vomit in when it's time to go to jail. Command presence is a LEO holding a Taser or Glock.

Turn key is nice if all LEO agencies were identical. Each state has different laws pertaining to markings, lighting an emergency equipment. Each agency chooses their own radios, communications and data transmission. Each agency has their own opinions of what to carry and how equip each car.

Sounds like the Carbon will be manufactured, bought, sold, used and retired like military vehicles. That's a recipe for cost efficiency.

One other issue is diesel emissions. You can bet California will probably find a way to ban the sale and use of a diesel powered Carbon.

OTH, this would make a good California LEO vehicle.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/02/prius_on_patrol_is_new_police.html

 

[beemerman2k]

When I was in New York City last December, I saw quite a few Toyota Prius Police cars in Manhattan. Maybe they make sense in that kind of environment; it's not like you're gonna have many car chases in Manhattan. And if/when it happens, speeds cannot possibly get too high at all. It would be easier to just get out of the cars and run I would think.

[alimar]

Command presence don't mean squat to drunks, addicts, criminals, low lifes, scum bags, one percenters and dysfuctionals.

Well Said!!!