The Dodge Charger Police Car, America’s Top Choice – Municibid Blog

Last Updated on January 27, 2023

The Dodge Charger police car, America’s top choice for law enforcement, and currently the fastest police car in the country. 

Dodge first used the Charger nameplate for a 1964 show car, which became a concept vehicle in 1965. A year later, it became a personal luxury production car. 

The Charger name has been applied to several vehicle types. For model year 2006, Dodge announced a four-door sedan, on which the current Dodge Charger is based. Even then, the Charger was available as a police version, as well as several consumer market trims. 

The Latest Generation Dodge Charger 

The second generation of Dodge Charger sedans began in model year 2011 and continues until today. 

Revisions included an improved exterior and interior, including a more aerodynamic shape, an aggressive-looking new grille, new headlights, new side scoops along the front and rear doors, and a wrap-around LED tail light. Dodge also improved performance by moving to a Pentastar 3.6 L 292-hp engine and increased driver visibility by 15 percent.

Beginning in 2012, the Charger V6 model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, which allowed for all-wheel drive (AWD). AWD was already available on some models, but now it was available on all but the SRT-8.

Model years 2012-2018 were built on the Super Bee platform and included accessories and badges reminiscent of the Charger muscle car from the ‘60s and ‘70s, including a 6.4 L, 470 hp engine, four-piston Brembo calipers, 0-60 timing, Live G-Force readings, and ¼ and ⅛ mile drag timers.

The Charger’s exterior and interior changed dramatically in model year 2015. Changes featured a more aerodynamic nose, new LED lights, new steering wheel, new shift lever, and more upscale materials. Dodge also improved the car’s suspension and brakes.

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Dodge changed course again on the 2017 model’s interior to address issues from the 2015 model. Among their actions, the company added an upgrade of an 8.4-inch navigation/display system.

All models through 2019 (except for the Charger Pursuit), came standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Dodge added a new trim for 2020 called the SRT Hellcat Redeye. The Hellcat Redeye comes standard with the 797 hp (594 kW; 808 PS) V8 engine.[10] 

The Pursuit—the police force’s latest choice

The Pursuit trim of the Dodge Charger is the latest Dodge police car. It can reach 60 miles per hour in just 6.4 seconds and tops out at 155 mph.

The Pursuit comes available with either AWD or RWD (rear-wheel drive). 

The AWD model features a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine that delivers up to 300 hp, 264 pound-feet of torque and up to 27 highway mpg (miles per gallon). It provides nimble maneuverability and four-corner control for traveling on unpaved surfaces and in northern climates. 

The RWD model features a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology that delivers up to 370 horsepower, 395 pound-feet of torque, and 22 highway mpg. It offers great acceleration and handling.

Both versions have a maximum gross trailer weight of 1,000 pounds.

At face value

The Pursuit with its scalloped body sides, front crosshair grille and aggressive stance, is easily recognizable. The 2021 model is available in 20 color options, including several shades of gray and blue, as well as TorRed, Go Mango Pearl, Sinamon Stick, F8 Green and Sheriff’s tan. 

The vehicle is approximately 16.5 feet in length, six feet wide, and five feet in height. It’s wheelbase is just more than 10 feet and ground clearance is 5.1 inches. Its base curb weight is 4,217 pounds on the AWD version and 4,336 pounds on the RWD version. 

For protection from impact, the frame of the Charger is composed of high-strength steel. The frame and the vehicle’s front and rear crumple zones absorb a lot of the energy when there is an impact. This mitigates the amount of energy felt by the occupants. Ballistic doors protect occupants from assault. 

In the dark, the Pursuit sheds light using LED Daytime Running Lamps, Bifunctional Halogen Projector Headlamps, and optional single or dual LED spotlights.

A comfortable working station

The Pursuit is a five-seat sedan equipped with the Mopar police console that accommodates equipment, bolstering to accommodate belt-mounted gear, a column-mounted shifter with AutoStick, and heavy-duty cloth bucket seats, vinyl rear bench, heavy-duty vinyl flooring, and an optional safety cage.

First row seating includes 38.6 inches of headroom, 57.9 inches of legroom, 59.5 inches of chest room, and 56.2 inches of hip room. For the rear, the numbers are 36.6 inches, 40.1 inches, 57.9 inches and 56.1 inches.

Cab features you can’t see include advanced multistage front air bags, supplemental front-seat-mounted side thorax air bags, supplemental side-curtain air bags, power-adjustable pedals, and eight-way power driver’s and passenger’s seats that feature four-way lumbar adjust and optional metal inserts. 

Features that aid in the operation of the vehicle include a heavy-duty suspension, four-wheel heavy-duty disc brakes with unique electronic stability control, heavy-duty BR9 brakes, all-speed traction control, brake assist, ready alert brake, rain brake support, and ParkSense Rear Park Assist.

A dimmer controls lighting. Turning the dimmer switch to the “off” position, turns off all interior illumination except for the backlighting for the door switches, the electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) display located on the cab’s instrument panel, and the vehicle critical warning indicators. 

Programmable switches on the steering wheel and standard Uconnect seven-inch or optional Uconnect 12.1-inch touchscreen display allow for the features to be configured. All programming goes through the car’s vehicle systems interface module (VSIM). The VSIM is what allows for all the vehicle’s equipment to be used while on the road.

The touchscreen display aids reverse operation with the help of the ParkView Rear Back Up Camera. 

And that’s not all…

Other features of the latest Dodge Charger Pursuit include:

• Secure Park prevents the transmission from shifting out of “park” 
• Keyless entry 
• Push-button vehicle ignition 
• Large trunk with 16.5 cubic feet of space

• 18.5-gallon fuel tank 
• Standards, full-sized spare tire
• Optional Tire Service Kit 

From the beginning, the Dodge Charger police car has proven invaluable to America’s law enforcement. While there are other cruiser options for cops, nothing has bested what the Charger offers. A robust engine, fast speed, and a plethora of features makes this car one to behold. There may be other car options in the future, but for now, the best is clear.