Ford has just released its new Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights for the Explorer Interceptor Utility that cleverly incorporates hidden lights inside the spoiler above the back window. When off, the lights are nearly impossible to see. Hit the switch, however, and the Interceptor Utility glows like a Roman candle on New Years.

This is the latest in upgrades Ford has brought for the Interceptor Utility. The last upgrade was Ford’s new “no-profile” Front Interior Visor Light Bar, which sits along the headliner just above the rearview mirror. Combined with the rear spoiler lights, the Interceptor Utility is very difficult to spot by nearby motorist. Other lights are available too, including grille and bumper lights, headlight flashers, side mirror lights, and taillight flashers.

Ford’s police brand marketing manager, Stephen Tyler, says the lights help increase safety for police officers. “Aftermarket light bars can impede visibility by hanging down over the glass. Our fully programmable Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights are integrated into the spoiler, so agencies get their bright red, blue, and amber LEDs with no compromise to rear visibility.”

The programmable part Tyler refers to gives officers the ability to customize light colors and patterns. The lights can flash red/red, blue/blue, red/blue, and amber. The light bar can also be used as a directional signal, pointing drivers around the police vehicle. The lights’ intensity can also be adjusted from 100 percent down to 20 percent.

The Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Light can be optioned onto the 2017 Police Interceptor Utility. Like the other police gear available on the SUV, it comes with Ford’s limited factory warranty and can be serviced at a local Ford dealer.

Continue reading for more information.

Why It Matters

Police have it hard enough these days, so adding an additional layer of safety is always welcomed. The new integrated rear light bar helps keep rear visibility at factory levels while allowing the warning lights to remain concealed.

While this increases suspension levels of every Ford Explorer being a cop car, it also helps make lawbreakers think twice about committing crimes. Any random Explorer (or Ford Taurus, for that matter) could turn out to be the fuzz. Granted, most police agencies use well-marked vehicles with side graphics and reflective tape, many also use these unmarked patrol cars for more clandestine operations. That does include catching speeders. Of course, all of TopSpeed’s readers are responsible, law-abiding citizens, so we don’t have to warn you not to speed or turn donuts on public roads.

Read our fullreview on the 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility here.

Read our fullreview on the 2016 Ford Explorer here.