2012 Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluation Results

From September 17 to 20, the Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluations put each new patrol vehicle model through its paces. Leading the team again was Lt. Keith Wilson whose tests pushed the vehicles’ engineering to the limit and buried every needle so officers know what to expect from their vehicle if ever deemed necessary..

Tests included acceleration, top speed, brake and dynamics. As in previous years acceleration, top speed and brake testing were conducted at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea. Motorcycle brake testing was conducted at the Precision Driving Unit at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing, Mich. This year brought a twist in the dynamic high speed handling: both vehicle and motorcycle tests were conducted at the Grattan Raceway in Grattan, Mich.

Participating vehicles included four Dodge Chargers in two different axel ratios, two Chevrolet Caprices, a Chevrolet Impala with a new engine, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford’s full Police Interceptor line-up of sedans and utilities. Evaluated motorcycles included the BMW R 1200, Kawasaki Concours 14, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide and Road King and, new at this year’s event, the Victory Commander I and Vision.

Also new was the NIJ-funded look at aftermarket tires. This involved five different vehicle platforms in a whopping 17 different tire combinations. Brands included Cooper, Firestone, Goodyear, Nitto, Nokeen and Porelli.

Tires were put through a rigorous method of a set of five dry asphalt 60 mph to 0 mph stops, five on a wet skid pad at 35 mph to 0 mph then five more 40 mph to 0 mph stops on wet asphalt braking in a turn. Afterward the test team conducted a 300-foot radius steady-state turn and what Wilson calls “a wear sequence.”

He explains: “We’d run 50 hot laps around our one-mile road course counter clockwise, 50 laps clockwise and then repeated the tests (dry, wet skid and wet-brake in turn) … then we were able to compare how a new tire performed against a worn tire.”

Once available these tire test results should be found through the Justice Technology Information Network website, www.justnet.org. [UPDATE: Editor's Note: "2011 Police Vehicle Tire Evaluation" are available online.]

The following results are preliminary. For official results please visit the Michigan State Police website at www.michigan.gov/msp, keyword: “Police Vehicle Evaluation.”

Top Performers

BMW R1200 RTP:
Best Motrocycle Lap Average with 1:40.19 minutes
Top Speed for Motorcycles at 131 mph

Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (FLHTP):
Shortest Braking Distance at 139 feet

Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS:
Quickest Motorcycle Acceleration to BOTH 60 mph and 100 mph (4.02 seconds, 8.29 seconds respectivly)

Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L:
The same highest Top Speed for SUVs reaching 139 mph

Chevrolet's Caprice 6L:
Shortest Braking Distance at 125.8 feet
Highest Sedan Top Speed at 154 mph

Ford Utility 3.7L FWD:
SUVs Shortest Braking Distance at 128.4 feet

Ford Utility 3.7L AWD:
Best SUV Lap Average - 1:40.3 minutes
Best Acceleration to 60 mph and 100 mph in 7.75 seconds and 19.94 seconds (respectivly)

Dodge Charger 5.7L:
Quickest Sedan Lap Average at 1:34.39 minutes
Quickest Sedan Acceleration with the 3.06 axel ratio with 5.83 seconds to 60 mph and 13.65 seconds to 100 mph

BMW R1200 RTP

Content

NEW: dual overhead camshaft cylinder head and optimized exhaust system to boost torque with mid-grade fuel, requiring less maintenance
NEW: cruise lights and alley lights as standard
The saddlebag lid color is now black on the popular two-tone black and white color scheme
NEW: handlebar controls and switch gear provide more functions as standard equipment
Improved fairing and windshield design for greater rider comfort
NEW: instrument cluster cover for reduced glare/reflections

MSRP: $18,705

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 140 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:40.19 minutes BEST MOTORCYCLE LAP AVERAGE
Top Speed: 131 HIGHEST MOTORCYCLE TOP SPEED
To 60 mph: 4.41 seconds
To 100 mph: 10.75 seconds

Harley-Davidson

Due to high customer request, ABS is now standard.

“We’ve done a lot of things to improve performance, quality, some features … but essentially NO PRICE CHANGE over a five year period.”
— Steve St. Thomas, director of Police and Fleet Sales

“We’ve been focused for a number of years to tune and continuously improve. We’re glad to see the results … to see that the tuning has been paying off.”

The Road King and Electra Glide feature a Brembo braking system.

Road King (FLHP)

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 147.1 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:49.63 minutes
Top Speed: 109 mph
To 60 mph: 5.66 seconds
To 100 mph: 21.28 seconds

Electra Glide (FLHTP)

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 MPH: 139 feet - SHORTEST MORTORCYCLE BRAKING DISTANCE
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:49.66 minutes
Top Speed: 104 mph
To 60 mph: 6.1 seconds
To 100 mph: 31.6 seconds

Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS

Factory-painted black wheels
Revised drop bars to add durability for tip overs
NEW: optional bar riser to bring handle bars 1 3/4 inches closer to rider
More padding in seat for comfort

Estimated MSRP: $21,000

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 143.7 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:43.26 minutes
Top Speed: 126 mph
To 60 mph: 4.02 seconds - QUICKEST MOTORCYCLE TO 60 mph
To 100 mph: 8.29 seconds - QUICKEST MOTORCYCLE TO 100 mph

Victory

“Officers are lied to all the time ... we felt it was time to tell them the truth; this is how a Victory Police Motorcycle performs duty ready.”
— Mike Schultz, Victory Police Motorcycles

Both bikes were tested 100 percent duty ready with an additional 115 pounds of optional equipment weight
ABS standard feature
NEW: options including tire pressure monitoring, more lighting options, two top box options and more

Vision

The Vision was tested with police package including skid plate, floorboard protectors, all emergency lights, siren, Amp, Kustom Signals Raptor 1 and Road Warrior Video equipment (installed and functional).

MSRP: $26,829

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 149.2 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:51.54 minutes
Top Speed: 120 mph
To 60 mph: 5.93 seconds
To 100 mph: 20.02 seconds

Commander I

Tested with installed electronic gun rack and M4 weapons in the saddlebags along with jackets, extra gloves and other on-duty items
Stock exhaust restricted to 123 to 125 mph

MSRP: $24,829

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 156.9 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:52.34 minutes
Top Speed: 117 mph
To 60 mph: 5.86 seconds
To 100 mph: 18.74 seconds

General Motors Co., Chevrolet

“All three of our police vehicles:
... have stabilitrac with traction control, designed and calibrated specifically for police [and]
… improved their performance over the last year.”

— Dana Hammer, Manager, Law Enforcement Vehicles

Caprice

NEW: 3.6L V6 engine with dual overhead cam direct injection, coupled with a 6-speed transmission
NEW: Knee and head curtain airbags for a total 8 airbags
NEW: front passenger-side doorlock cylinder
NEW: Engine hour meter (idle and running) for fleet managers

MSRP: $31,495

Caprice 3.6 L

Projected Stoppnig Distance from 60 mph: 126.2 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:37.87 minutes
Dynamic Test Lap Average (E85): 1:37.65 minutes
Top Speed: 148 mph
Top Speed (E85): 147 mph
To 60 mph: 7.5 seconds
To 60 mph (E85): 7.65 seconds
To 100 mph: 18.43 seconds
To 100 mph (E85): 18.3 seconds

Caprice 6 L

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 125.8 feet - SHORTEST SEDAN BRAKING DISTANCE
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:36.84 minutes
Dynamic Test Lap Average (E85): 1:35.61 minutes
Top Speed: 154 mph - HIGHEST SEDAN TOP SPEED
Top Speed (E85): 153 mph
To 60 mph: 5.91 seconds
To 60 mph (E85): 5.95 seconds
To 100 mph: 14.13 seconds
To 100 mph (E85): 13.99 seconds

Impala

"... a wolf in sheep's clothing"

NEW: LFX 3.6L V6 engine with 6-speed transmission, the very same engine in the Caprice V6
Bigger, better braking performance
17-inch wheels with standard Goodyear tires
2.44 axle ratio
170-amp alternator

MSRP: $27,815

Impala 3.6 L

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 132.6 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:39.78 minutes
Dynamic Test Lap Average (E85): 1:40.28 minutes
Top Speed: 149 mph
Top Speed (E85): 150 mph
To 60 mph: 7.46 seconds
To 60 mph (E85): 7.1 seconds
To 100 mph: 18.72 seconds
To 100 mph (E85): 17.6 seconds

Tahoe 5.3 L

Powered by Vortec 5.3L V8 engine, 320 horsepower
26-gallon standard fuel tank
730 CCA battery with run-down protection and extended-life spark plugs

MSRP: $34,670

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 133.8 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:42.1 minutes
Dynamic Test Lap Average (E85): 1:42.06 minutes
Top Speed 139 mph: - HIGHEST SUV TOP SPEED
Top Speed (E85): 139 mph - HIGHEST SUV TOP SPEED
To 60 mph: 8.01 seconds
To 60 mph (E85): 8.15 seconds
To 100 mph: 21.08 seconds
To 100 mph (E85): 21.37 seconds

2013 Ford Interceptors

Improved capability with new 18-inch five-spoke steel wheels and tires with new brake system
Larger heavy-duty alternator
Larger radiator
Standard all wheel drive (AWD)

Editor’s Note: The 2012 Ford Interceptor sedan and utility evaluated in 2011 were prototype models.

Sedan

NEW: EcoBoost V6 twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine produces 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque
Available with a 3.5L Ti-VCT flex-fuel V6 or 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine

Sedan 3.5L FWD

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 MPH: 131 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:39.63 minutes
Top Speed: 130 mph
To 60 mph: 7.77 seconds
To 100 mph: 19.68 seconds

Sedan 3.5L AWD

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 131.8 feet
Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph (Turbo Charged): 129.8 feet
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:39.61 minutes
Dynamic Test Lap Average (Turbo Charged): 1:35.85 minutes
Dynamic Test Average (E85): 1:37.8 minutes
Top Speed: 131 mph
Top Speed (Turbo Charged): 148 mph
Top Speed (E85): 130 mph
To 60 mph: 8.19 seconds
To 60 mph (Turbo Charged): 5.92 seconds
To 60 mph (E85): 7.76 seconds
To 100 mph: 20.48 seconds
To 100 mph (Turbo Charged): 14.5 seconds
To 100 mph (E85): 19.08 seconds

Utility

Available with 3.7L Ti-VCT flex-fuel V6 engine for 300 horsepower
Optional front wheel drive

Utility 3.7L FWD

Projected Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 128.4 feet - SHORTEST SUV BRAKING DISTANCE
Dynamic Test Lap Average: 1:41.53 minutes
Top Speed: 131 mph
To 60 mph: 8.01 seconds
To 100 mph: 20.07 seconds

Utility 3.7L AWD

Project Stopping Distance from 60 mph: 131.7 feet
Dynamic Test Average (E85): 1:40.3 minutes - BEST SUV LAP AVERAGE
Top Speed (E85): 131 mph
To 60 mph (E85): 7.75 seconds - QUICKEST SUV TO 60 mph
To 100 mph (E85): 19.94 seconds - QUICKEST SUV TO 100 mph

Chrysler Dodge Charger

“We set a track record at Grattan raceway for our V8 engine in both the 2.65 rear axle and 3.06 … the fastest track time ever recorded there.”

— David Callery, program Manager of Police and Emergency Response Vehicles

NEW: police-specific front driver and front passenger seat: carved-out bolster area on the driver and passenger seat to accommodate the duty belt and holster
NEW: precious metal spark plug, good for 100,000 miles
Steel valve stems on the 18-inch steel wheels
Optional Whelen Engineering LED spotlight bulb
Partnership with Crown North America for complete equipment and upfit packages
Choice of Goodyear or Firestone high speed-rated tires from the factory