2018 Ford F-150 Police Responder ute revealed

Ford Motor Company has unveiled the US police industry’s first pursuit-rated ute.

Based on the F-150 FX4, the Police Responder will run a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine (280kW/637Nm), Ford’s SelecShift 10-speed automatic transmission and the FX4’s off-road suspension set-up – so the chase won’t be called off when crooks high-tail it off the bitumen.

Utilising Ford’s high-strength, aluminium-alloy SuperCrew body, the crime-deterring F-150 sits on a high-strength steel frame.

With an ability to reach speeds of up to 160km/h, this tough ute will be able to snare law-dodgers right across the urban and rural lands of the United States.

“Ford’s 2018 F-150 Police Responder is the perfect all-terrain law enforcement vehicle,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford’s police brand marketing manager.

“Aside from its industry-first on-road pursuit capability, this purpose-built pick-up can comfortably seat five, while providing capability in off-road patrol situations for officers in rural environments patrolled by sheriff’s departments, border patrol operations and the Department of Natural Resources.”

Other notable performance enhancements of the Police Responder include a police-calibrated brake system (upgraded calipers and pad friction material), an upgraded front stabiliser bar, 18-inch alloys surrounded by all-terrain rubber, underbody skid plates, and a class IV hitch with a claimed maximum towing capability of 3175kg.

A high-output 240amp alternator supports all on-board electrical devices essential to a police vehicle, including a police-calibrated speedometer, and engine hour and engine idle hour meters.