2013 Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluation Results

Noteable mentions

Shortest Stopping Distance from 60 mph (projected): Ford Police Interceptor sedan AWD 3.7L
Quickest Lap Average: Ford Police Interceptor sedan AWD 3.5L with EcoBoost
Highest Top Speed: General Motors / Chevrolet Caprice 6.0L
Fastest to 60 MPH: BMW Motorrad R 1200 RTP

The 2012 Michigan State Police Vehicle Evaluations, run by Lt. Jim Flegel, took a tough look at the models the industry has in store for next year. Sadly that flying car we were promised for the world of tomorrow still has yet to receive a set of mounted wig-wags, let alone exist.

As usual the event—kept at home within Michigan—was organized by acceleration, braking, top speed and handling. Following 2012’s lead the motorcycle dynamic handling tests were run on the same track as the vehicles. This allows an opportunity to compare similar consecutive-year data from the two-wheeled patrol to the four-wheeled workhorses. Acceleration, braking and top speed tests were hosted at the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea.

Both motorcycle and vehicle dynamics were held at the Grattan Raceway in Belding.

The participants

Along with the hundreds of attendees returning each year—some for 20+ years and even from as far away as Alaska—participating vehicles included the following:

Four Chrysler/Dodge Chargers with various axle/engine configurations in: 3.06 5.7L; 2.65 5.7L; 3.07 3.6L and 2.65 3.6L
Four vehicles from General Motors/Chevrolet: Caprice 6L (Highest top speed); Caprice 3.6L;
Impala 3.6L and Tahoe 5.3L
A fleet of Interceptors from Ford: two AWD sedans one in 3.5L and 3.7 (Shortest Stopping Distance from 60 MPH); a FWD sedan 3.5L; a AWD 3.5L with Ecoboost (Quickest Dynamic Lap Average); and an AWD Utility 3.7L
Participating motorcycles included:
BMW Motorrad’s R1200 (Fastest to 60 MPH)
Harley-Davidson’s police packages in their Road King and Electra Glide as well as a third prototype model. Results of this prototype are unpublished.
The Polaris/Victory Commander I

Notably absent are any vehicles specified for E85 as in previous years.

The following recorded results are preliminary and are subject to change.

The drivers

When helmeted they’re silent, steady and serious. These drivers consistently push tires to their utmost gripping point. (The sounds of squealing fresh rubber and the push of wind as they drove by still haunt me today.)

Nothing could exemplify this more than looking at the recorded lap times of dynamic testing. Many times the difference between a driver’s best and worst lap run between a half a second—or less. On other occasions drivers hit the exact same lap times—in a row. With the state police recording times in the hundredth of a second, one can imagine the level of talent and skill.

Drivers include:

Sgt. Mike McCarthy (vehicles only)
Tpr. Marcus Trammel (motorcycles only)
Sgt. Ron Gromak (both)
Sgt. Matthew Rogers (both)
Sgt. Doug Schutter (vehicles only)
Tpr. Nate Johnson (motorcycles only)

For further result details, see the Michigan State Police website.

The results

Ford Police Interceptors

Sedan FWD 3.5L

Projected stopping distance from 60 mph: 132.3 feet
Dynamic test lap average: 1:38.39 seconds
Top speed: 131 mph
Acceleration to 60 mph: 7.62 seconds

Sedan AWD 3.5L

Projected stopping distance from 60 mph: 130.9 feet
Dynamic test lap average: 1:39.06 seconds
Top speed: 131 mph
Acceleration to 60 mph: 7.86 seconds

Sedan AWD 3.7L

Projected stopping distance from 60 mph: 128.2 feet - SHORTEST STOPPING DISTANCE
Dynamic test lap average: 1:37.71 seconds
Top speed: 132 mph
Acceleration to 60 mph: 7.53 seconds

Sedan AWD 3.5L with EcoBoost