Long after police officers’ Dodge Chargers were featured in the 1968 movie “Bullitt” and the 1980's tv series “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Chrysler is making a new version of the Charger for law enforcement, says the New York Times. The New York Police Department has bought 15 of them for a trial run. While some ask why an urban police department might need a car that reaches 150 miles per hour, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the main reason for buying the cars is to make the fleet less monolithic.
City officers now drive either Ford Crown Victorias or Chevrolet Impalas. By buying a third model, the department can be sure that fewer of its 2,500 patrol cars will be grounded in case of a recall. If the reviews of the 15 new cars are positive after six months, the department may buy more. The current models cost about $18,511 for the V-6 and $20,511 for the V-8. Both models include a police package with a heavy-duty suspension and brakes, more durable interiors and high-speed-rated wheels and tires, among other features.