The boys in blue->ke2339 are getting an updated version of their Ford Explorer,->ke342 the Police Interceptor Utility. The changes follow those of the revised civilian version due out for 2016, with a reworked front and rear fascia and an updated interior. Beyond that, the PIU gets specific upgrades that police departments have requested such as an individual unlock button on the rear hatch, an enhanced electrical system to handle all the added equipment, and an innovative motion detection system that automatically locks the doors and rolls up the windows should anyone approach the vehicle from behind on foot.

What’s more, the ESC now includes tuning to allow for J-turns – those snappy, 180-degree rotations from reverse to drive without slowing down or changing direction of travel. Nice.

Since the death of the beloved Crown Victoria, the Taurus and Explorer have stepped in as replacements and in doing, have taken over 55 percent of the police interceptor market. That’s not hard to believe considering the limited number of vehicles fit for duty, but is an impressive number nonetheless.

So how does the PIU stack up? Keep reading to find out.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.

Exterior

First off, you have a new headlight signature to learn. The Explorer’s front fascia has been revised to include new headlights and lower fog lights. The wig-wag lights are now moved to the incandescent high-beam bulb, leaving the low-beam bulbs alone. The daytime running lights feature a sideways L-shape with the longer section running along the top of the light. Out back, new taillights mirror the shape of the front fog lights. The C-shape within the red section houses the reverse lights.

Like most cop cars, alloy wheels are skipped in favor of 18-inch stamped steelies. In this case, they’re painted black and feature a bright center hubcap and are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. Ford says the wheels provide excellent ventilation for the upgraded disc brakes.

Because each department requires different upfit equipment, Ford sends each PIU down the road less than a mile from the assembly plant to Troy Design, a company owned by Ford that adds everything from light bars and A-pillar lights, to custom wrap jobs and the interior partition. The company will even outfit the front doors with Level III ballistic shields for added security during a gun fight.

Interior

Things on the inside take after the standard Explorer, but only to an extent. The center console is gone, replaced by a metal housing for radios and emergency light switches. A laptop stand is perched on the passenger side. For this reason, Ford adds a column-mounted gear shifter for better space management. The seats are covered in tough cloth while the floors are covered in vinyl.

Ford added a specialized button above the rearview mirror for unlocking just the rear hatch, leaving the second-row passengers secured. A timer relocks the gate after 45 seconds if it hasn’t been opened. Besides that, the interior has a revised dashboard that houses a calibrated and certified speedometer and the optional SYNC system.

Also optional is the Blind Sport Information System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and that industry-exclusive person direction system that secures the vehicle if someone walks up behind it. When the system trips, the windows roll up and the doors lock, keeping the occupants safe from unseen threats.

Drivetrain

Like before, Ford offers two powertrain options with the PIU. The standard engine is the 3.7-liter, naturally aspirated, V-6. It puts out 304 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque. The optional and more desirable engine is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. It cranks out an impressive 365 horses and 350 pound-feet of torque. Both transverse-mounted engines are mated to a six-speed automatic and the AWD system.

New for 2016 is the Pursuit Mode programming within the transmission. Regardless of engine choice, the vehicle detects when the driver is driving more aggressively and automatically enters the performance-oriented mode. Shifts are executed with greater sharpness and gears are held longer. This is also where the J-turn programming comes into effect. By accelerating hard in reverse then cutting the wheel hard, the vehicle’s front end spins around. Slamming the transmission into drive and steering into the spin results in a seamless transition from reverse to forward without stopping. While this isn’t likely to happen on a regular basis, it’s nice to know the electronic stability controls and transmission are up for the maneuver.

Drivetrain Specifications

Upgraded Underpinnings

Just like on the Bluesmobile, the Explorer PIU comes equipped with cop suspension and cop shocks, among other upgraded parts. The stock powertrain mounts are all swapped for heavy-duty units, as are the hubs and wheel bearings. The subframe mounts are reinforced as well, as are the springs – swapped for larger-diameter examples. The cooling systems for both engines are upgraded as well, ensuring they don’t overheat during high-speed driving or while idling in the hot summer sun.

Competition

Dodge Charger Pursuit

Though it’s not a utility vehicle, the Dodge Charger Pursuit represents a huge player in the police vehicle market. Powered by either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 or the venerable 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, the Charger provides excellent in-town drivability and fuel economy or excellent high-speed capabilities. Unlike the civilian Charger, the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission is not offered. Rather the old five-speed automatic pulls the duty. Either way, the car cones standard in RWD with AWD being an option – even with the HEMI.

Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Basically a Chevy SS with a stretched wheelbase and a less attractive appearance, the Caprice offers the same Zeta platform underpinning the SS, the old Pontiac G8, and even the current Camaro. Interestingly enough, the Caprice is built in Australia, technically making it an import car and unfit for duty in some American-brand-requiring police departments.

Also unfortunate for the Caprice is its powertrain. GM uses the old 6.0-liter V-8 that only produces 355 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. While it’s still a respectable LS engine, it’s power doesn’t match that of the Chevy SS which comes equipped with the 6.2-liter LS3 V-8 making 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

Also available is the 3.6-liter V-6 for those departments looking to save on fuel costs. Either way, the Caprice is a competent police cruiser with plenty of available options.

Conclusion

The updated to the 2016 Ford Explorer PIU make it even more prepared for duty. The upgraded transmission calibrations combined with the new interior and electronic improvement make this rolling office more functional for those who drive it. A respectable pair of V-6 engines and AWD make the PIU a solid choice for departments needing more room than a standard sedan provides.

The added benefit of optional armor plating in the doors gives police officers an even stronger chance to return home after righting crime while the optional SYNC system provides more creature comforts for those times between calls.

While it doesn’t have a 440 cubic-inch plant, this police cruiser offers enough upgrades to make even the Blues Brothers happy. Now where’s the nearest draw bridge?