Someone apparently has banned the use of the word "new" or otherwise removed it from the English language, and replaced it with "Next Generation" which is what that NGPI means: Next Generation Police Interceptor.Ok what does NGPI stand for. I've been referring to the Ford Police Interceptor Utility AKA PIU.
Hum. I had no idea that the mileage was so close between the big V8 in the Tahoe and the 3.7l / 3.5 turbo V6 in the PIU AKA NGPIU
The only vehicle that has been approved by the CHP for patrol is the police interceptor utility this decision was based on total weight capacity. The requirements are the patrol vehicle must be fully equipped with the standard gear (several hundreds pounds worth and be capable of transporting four CHP officers in full tactical gear (plate body armor and patrol rifles) the utility and Tahoe were the only two vehicles capeable of supporting the weight. The Tahoe's higher initial cost and lower miles per gallon made it an easy decision. There are interceptor sedans and chargers in the fleet but they are unmarked and for use by command staff.
I would think the factory taillights and or vertex reverse lights must be back there, I can't get over how poorly the angle appears on the bar light. Wouldn't that diminish the effectiveness of the light bar??.. Takedowns signaling for Batman and all.
That's crazy to require standard patrol vehicles to be able to carry a payload of up to 4 fully-decked-out officers for the unlikely, rare event that they might load up the units that much; that's just not practical IMO. They should also take into consideration vehicle maintenance, speeds, and resale value. My city's PD tested all the PPV/SSV-type vehicles to replace the CVPI, and they switched from the caprice (initial choice) to the Tahoe b/c it only cost them $800 more, provided more space and officer comfort, & bad a substantially higher resale value.
I love driving Tahoe PPVs (if I had to get into a crash in any patrol vehicle, it'd be in a CVPI or Tahoe). I don't know how the official crash test ratings compare between the NGPI Utility and Tahoe, but I def feel more comfortable in a body on frame.
As for maintenance, I'm admittedly biased and favor the Tahoe over the NGPI family
They also don't put lights to the rear in taillight housings. It is actually illegal to alter a tailiight/headlight housing. (Read that before and trying to find the law again) therefore CHP takes that literally and does not alter them.
Hope this isn't the new patrol rig (although it doesn't look bad, I just hate chargers). Wanna see some 2016 Utilities on the road.