Ford’s new vehicle — the 2012 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor will be using 35 percent less fuel than its another model Crown Victoria, a rear-wheel drive full-size car, while the Explorer-based 2013 Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicle will use 32 percent less than its rivals, according to the firm. The 3.5 liter Ford Taurus is better than the Crown Victoria by 25 percent in its fuel efficiency as the vehicle’s city and highway ratings are 18 mpg and 26 mpg respectively. The extra 10 percent in Ford’s estimate is said to come from the Taurus Interceptor’s improved idling habits.

A test was carried out in a police-car in Canada which showed that the average police vehicle idles for more than six hours in a 10-hour shift. According to Police Fleet Magazine, the typical police car uses about a half-gallon of fuel for each hour it idles. “Our latest fuel-efficient V6 engines deliver on our promise for increased performance and improved economy, while providing government agencies with a money-saving solution,” said Bill Gubing, chief engineer of the Ford Police Program.

The electric power steering system is another part of the frugality equation for the Taurus. Opposite to a hydraulic system, the electric unit uses power only when the wheel is twisted. Ford also eked out a few mpgs by optimizing the power consumption of the air-conditioning compressor and the alternator. Even though, the 2013 Ford Taurus Interceptor is expected to be an enhanced version car over the old police vehicle of choice, it will have to face some stiff competition from its rivals Chrysler and General Motors. Dodge now offers the Dodge Charger Pursuit with the Pentastar V6 engine and it returns 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. GM has its Chevrolet Caprice with a V6, though fuel-economy numbers haven’t been made available yet.

Via – Autonews