Last May, Ford announced that it had developed a new heated software enhancement that effectively turns the Ford Explorer-based Ford Police Interceptor Utility into a giant oven, with temperatures climbing high enough to completely kill off any lingering viruses like COVID-19. The automaker rolled out this new feature on all last-gen 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles at that time, but now, Ford Authority has learned from sources familiar with the 2022 Ford Police Interceptor Utility launch that the newest model will come equipped with this heated sanitation solution as well.
The 2022 Ford Police Interceptor Utility heated sanitation solution uses the vehicle’s own powertrain and climate control systems to raise interior temperatures beyond 133 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, which is long enough to help disinfect interior touchpoints and kill off the COVID-19 virus.
On the models this feature is already available on, law enforcement can monitor the progress of this process via either the instrument panel or the hazard lights and taillights, which flash in a pre-set pattern to notify officers when the process has begun, then change when the job is done. Meanwhile, a cool-down process takes place after the process has been completed, making the cabin a bit more comfortable to enter.
This technology is just the latest in a long line of innovations for Ford’s Police Interceptor lineup, which has helped it maintain its position as the top seller of police vehicles since 2014, earning a full two-thirds of the market in the process. Much of this can be attributed to Ford’s switch to the Explorer years ago, which offers more cargo space than the old Crown Victoria, as well as improved handling brought on by the switch to a unibody platform.
We’ll have more on this new technology soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Police Interceptor Utility news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Here in Oklahoma the Highway patrol, cities and sheriff depts. are using a lot of Dodge vehicles, SUV’s, pickups and not surprising the large sedan (Charger). They were using Fords but something here is driving a huge change in brands.
Ford is still the dominant and more reliable Police vehicle. The Tahoe is a gas hog, unreliable, and slow as molasses. The dodge charger is quick, but not reliable and it absloutely sucks in the snow.
So how long before an unfortunate perp gets cooked “accidentally”?