Latest Ford concept debuting at SEMA this week is a Police car in a plain black wrapper inspired by the SR-71 Blackbird.
Using the strong lines and muscular stance of the Ford Police Interceptor sedan as a base, Ford designer Melvin Betancourt developed a customized undercover stealth version that’s both stylish and full of high-tech surprises. The production Police Interceptor sedan was introduced in March, followed by a utility version in September. Both Interceptors will debut when production of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ceases in late 2011.
“This car offered the perfect canvas for me as a designer,” Betancourt said. “The Police Interceptor sedan is already a unique vehicle. I just started looking at ways to give it that mysterious but high-tech look.”
Betancourt started the undercover version by lowering the body one inch, giving the illusion of added width. The unique 22-inch wheels are inside a staggered rim section so the front is 3 inches and the rear is 3.5 inches.
“The rim section is stacked to give it the illusion of greater width, with the center glossy black and the rim finished in chrome. So we have that racy, hot rod look, but at the same time we’re building a sinister, stealthy, ‘Don’t mess with me’ feeling.”
Betancourt used imagery of the SR-71, the original stealth airplane, for inspiration as he customized the vehicle. Known as the “Blackbird,” this high-altitude, long-range reconnaissance aircraft was secretly designed in the late-1950s, early-1960s. Its top speed was more than three times the speed of sound. Long retired, the Blackbird is considered by many aviation enthusiasts as the ultimate airplane.
The exterior of the stealth Police Interceptor is solid black. A mesh grille, like the original sedan but thicker, offers more depth. Lights are traditional for unmarked cruisers: inconspicuous, with the surrounding areas painted black so they blend in until illuminated. At the rear is an aggressive spoiler adorned with bead lights painted black so they remain unnoticed until the car is started. Taillights are smoked; windows tinted.
It’s a vehicle that exudes power – and it should. The production Police Interceptor sedan model offers two powertrain options, allowing police to choose the engine that best meets their needs. A 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering at least 280 horsepower and E85 compatibility is 25 percent more efficient than the 4.6-liter SOHC V8 offered in the current Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. And an all-new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost V6 engine will deliver at least 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque across a broad rpm range.
Ford’s stealthy-styled version of its Police Interceptor sports a minimalist interior.
“It’s all about concealing everything. The headliner is black, we wrapped the B-pillars in black, and then we started looking at, ‘Where can I hide this?’ How can I conceal this?’ We repackaged the console – it looks like a production console with the waterfall of the instrument panel. But when you start opening doors and panels, that’s when you see everything,” said Betancourt.
Unless you’re supposed to be in the vehicle, you won’t know where and how to find the compartments, he said. For example, the radio is hidden inside the console, as is an onboard computer. Also, the glove box has a secret space designed for weapons.
The stealth Police Interceptor will be on display throughout the SEMA show, which runs Nov. 2-5.
For more information about 2011 Ford vehicles, please visit,
http://www2.showroom.fordvehicles.com/Showroom.jsp?space=Cars