MOTORING NEWS - Meet the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan, capable of running in stealth battery-only mode up to 97km/h. The police vehicle is based on the Ford Fusion. 

Cop cars are driven around the clock and not driven gently. They need to withstand curb strikes and high-speed manoeuvres without expensive repair bills so Ford had to make sure its hybrid system could meet these standards for a "pursuit rated" vehicle.  

According to Ford, making the switch to hybrid power will lead to big fuel savings, without any negative impact on the Fusion's ability to function as an all-action, police-chase hero. The company is expecting the Responder Hybrid to return around 6,1 litres per 100km in Environmental Protection Testing (EPA), compared to around 13 litres per 100km from a conventional V6 Police Interceptor. 

The fuel savings extend beyond test figures. Squad cars spend a lot of time idling, because the engine is required to power the raft of electrical gadgets used by police. The Police Responder Hybrid can use its lithium-ion battery to deal with this load, saving about 1 litre of fuel every hour. Ford says that equates to around R48 000 in annual fuel savings compared to a V6 Interceptor under normal usage. 

Although it's more efficient than a traditional petrol-powered police car, the hybrid Fusion has been tweaked for life on the force. Ford hasn't released range numbers, but says the car will run in electric mode up to 97km/h before the Atkinson-cycle engine cuts in. When it becomes time to give chase, the system will draw on the battery and petrol engine for maximum performance.  

The Hybrid Responder will be on sale immediately in the US, with deliveries set to start in June this year.  

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