fleet of chargers delivered to CHP

[dezertrunner]

DODGE CHARGER CHP BUYS CHARGERS FOR FLEET MOST OF THE 88 CARS PURCHASED WILL BE USED UNDERCOVER.


American muscle will soon be prowling the Golden State's highways in a law enforcement capacity.

The California Highway highway patrol has spent $1.9 million to buy 88 Dodge Chargers. Nine will be white with a CHP on the doors.

Nine with a snappier logo will be distributed to the eight divisions across the state and at the Sacramento headquarters, and will be driven by public affairs.

The remaining 70? You probably won't see them. They'll be used undercover, so the idea is not to attract attention, although the Charger certainly is an attention-getter.

"They will be regular factory colors and not have any CHP logos," CHP spokeswoman Jamie Coffee said. "They will look like any other Dodge Charger out there on the road."

This is as much about fuel efficiency as raw speed and power, although the Charger has both these qualities.

Seventy-nine of the cars will have a more fuel efficient V-6 power plant but they are still pursuit-rated vehicles. The nine at the academy will have the bigger 340 horsepower, 5.7 liter V-8 Hemi engine.

It's been 11 years since the CHP changed its main pursuit cruiser.

In 1996, the agency put the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

The Police Interceptor (often referred to simply as CVPI) is the law enforcement version of the 1999 and later Ford Crown Victoria.

In service as its general purpose patrol vehicle. And in 1994 and 1995, the agency used the Chevrolet Caprice.

Today, there are about 1,800 Crown Vics in service as well as a few Camaros.

Purchasing is handled by the state's Department of General Services and is done every year or two. And the Dodge Charger is one of the vehicles state law enforcement agencies can select.

Here are some requirements the CHP has for its patrol cruiser:

It must be rear-wheel drive and a certified police vehicle.

The agency's radio has to work in it, the weapons have to fit inside the cockpit and there has to be adequate trunk space.

Dodge spokesman Bryan Zvibleman said this model is becoming increasingly popular with law enforcement.

Last year there were 3,600 Chargers in police service.

"This year we've already sold more than 8,000 units. We have our Charger on the ground in every single state except Hawaii," Zvibleman said.

The big sellers so far are ride, handling and performance, he said, adding, "And like our production vehicle, the looks are quite noticeable on the road."

Zvibleman also said that the 340-horsepower, V-8 Hemi matches the fuel efficiency of the 240-horsepower Ford engine. And the V-6 Charger motor matched the Ford V-8 in lap performance times.

"We've gone from zero to more than 8,000 in only a few years and we'll continue to build our momentum," he said. "The Charger name has a lot of equity."

And it has a high profile in Manhattan. It's now the patrol car of the NYPD.

[WitchyWndy]

Interesting... thanks for posting!

[8yourM5]

great now I need to watch out for white camaros and black chargers

[dezertrunner]

Interesting... thanks for posting!

ya, i love chargers and saw 8 brand new b&w CHP chargers headed to one of the CHP headquarters along the coast. you just can't miss 8 CHP chargers all in a single file convoy... it was a thing of beauty! but unless i read that article incorrectly they are only fitted with V6s... what i'm wondering is if those V6s are going to be modified much the same as the interceptor packaged crown vics were. anyone willing to find out JUST how fast these new CHP chargers are?

much like the CHP had 5.0 mustangs what's the likelihood they'll have one or two Challengers??? that would be sweet!

[dezertrunner]

great now I need to watch out for white camaros and black chargers

LOL... the article states that 79 of the 88 cars purchased will be outfitted with a fuel efficient v6... but then goes on to say "pursuit-rated vehicles". now, what that exactly means, who knows? but i'm willing to bet it ain't gonna be your average charger V6 motor or tranny. i'm curious as hell to find out. any volunteers to run one? LOL

[glhs837]

A few police Charger facts.

1. They all have exactly the same powertrain that any other 3.5 liter or 5.7 car does. No mods to that at all. No secret superchargers, covert camshafts, sub rosa strokers. Mechanically, they get suspension tweaks, different brakes, and thats about it. Theres the dash shifter, which does retain autostick, btw.

2. Speed? The offical top speed is reported to be 150, although Ive seen unconfirmed reports that they can go faster, as could any 5.7 with the speed limiter altered. As far as performance numbers google "Michigan State Police Testing". Every year, they gahter every pursuit and special service rated vehicle for sale in the US and do instrumented testing. Cliff notes. The 3.5 V6 charger almost matches the V8 CVPI in every category, while the Hemi crushes it. The 5.7 police car? low 14s in the 1/4, 0-60 in maybe 5-6 seconds.

3. 2006-2008 charger police cars come with three mode ESP, just like the SRTs. 2009, that was dropped at the request of the Police Advisory Group, so they only get normal two mode.

Now, about "undercover" cars. Police use two terms.

1. Unmarked - This is what the reporter meant. Meaing cars with lights and sirens, and most other normal poolice gear, but no markings.

2. Undercover - This is what he said. Police departments dont advertise what cars they buy for this, if they dont just use seized ones. These are, must be, compleltely civilian vehicles. No police equipment or gear in there at all. Not good for your cover as a drug delaer if you have a blue bubble light under the seat, or a laptop mounted between the seats.

[CRF450RR]

There were 8 to 12 CHP Chargers escorting the bikes in the Tour De Calif last week..

[CRF450RR]

great now I need to watch out for white camaros and black chargers

You also have to watch out for the 2 white un-marked CHP Chargers on 280 in San Mateo Co.

[SDChargerSRT]

Escondido PD has a Charger. Saw it yesterday.

[MOPAR31]

Sweeeeetttttt!!!!

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

There were 8 to 12 CHP Chargers escorting the bikes in the Tour De Calif last week..

Yep!!!!

This is a picture of the Chargers when they were being put together at the academy in Sacramento


They are slick tops

[dezertrunner]

A few police Charger facts.

1. They all have exactly the same powertrain that any other 3.5 liter or 5.7 car does. No mods to that at all. No secret superchargers, covert camshafts, sub rosa strokers. Mechanically, they get suspension tweaks, different brakes, and thats about it. Theres the dash shifter, which does retain autostick, btw.

2. Speed? The offical top speed is reported to be 150, although Ive seen unconfirmed reports that they can go faster, as could any 5.7 with the speed limiter altered. As far as performance numbers google "Michigan State Police Testing". Every year, they gahter every pursuit and special service rated vehicle for sale in the US and do instrumented testing. Cliff notes. The 3.5 V6 charger almost matches the V8 CVPI in every category, while the Hemi crushes it. The 5.7 police car? low 14s in the 1/4, 0-60 in maybe 5-6 seconds.

3. 2006-2008 charger police cars come with three mode ESP, just like the SRTs. 2009, that was dropped at the request of the Police Advisory Group, so they only get normal two mode.

Now, about "undercover" cars. Police use two terms.

1. Unmarked - This is what the reporter meant. Meaing cars with lights and sirens, and most other normal poolice gear, but no markings.

2. Undercover - This is what he said. Police departments dont advertise what cars they buy for this, if they dont just use seized ones. These are, must be, compleltely civilian vehicles. No police equipment or gear in there at all. Not good for your cover as a drug delaer if you have a blue bubble light under the seat, or a laptop mounted between the seats.

great info glhs! 150 ain't bad considering, plus they just radio ahead anyways or bust out the choppa...

[dezertrunner]

Yep!!!!

This is a picture of the Chargers when they were being put together at the academy in Sacramento


They are slick tops

aren't they a thing of beauty! LOL... i can honestly say they look badaass regardless of what motor is in there! the 8 i saw hauling ass were pristinely clean and blingy... this one pictured is dusty but beeyootiful nonetheless!

[Sharp Charge]

Yep!!!!

This is a picture of the Chargers when they were being put together at the academy in Sacramento


They are slick tops

At least they aren't putting those Vector bars on top of the Chargers. See ya in a month Jose, stay safe!

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

At least they aren't putting those Vector bars on top of the Chargers. See ya in a month Jose, stay safe!

Like this? This was one of the very first Chargers tested. They found out that the light bar mounts were ripping off the roof at high speeds, 120+ MPH. That is why they went with the slick top for now. Eventually, we will be getting a new LED lightbar. Things take time in our department.