We’ve discussed the absence of a GM crossover for police use in the past, and it seems that the automaker has finally acknowledged the segment’s potential. What you see here is a photo, sent to us by an anonymous source, of a Chevrolet Traverse dressed up in police livery.
From what we know, the Traverse you see here is not certified as a pursuit or special service model. Despite the 1FL (fleet trim level) sticker on the base of the A-pillar, this is actually a regular production model with some police stickers and fancy lights. According to our source, the NYPD will be adding 50 of these models to its fleet.
As we’re writing this, GM has not announced any plans to offer the Traverse for police duty. As such, we assume these Traverse models were made as a test of sorts to figure out the reaction of various police forces. Frankly speaking, we still don’t know why GM hasn’t hopped onto the crossover police interceptor bandwagon, which both Ford and FCA are capitalizing.
And it’s not like GM doesn’t have the models on which to base a crossover police interceptor. For instance, there’s the Chevrolet Traverse, but also the GMC Acadia, and the Chevrolet Blazer. Each could fit the bill for police versions, allowing GM to take away a rather lucrative segment.
In the meantime, we’ll have to wait and see what GM plans to do with this mysterious new NYPD livery. For now, one thing’s for certain: a Chevrolet Traverse police vehicle has never been this close to actually happening.
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Comments
Well with the demise of the PPV Impala and Caprice Chevrolet needs to replace them with something so why not, even though we still have the Tahoe
I don’t think have GM AUTHORITY on the sides of those vehicles is going to intimidate anybody.
😉
Cosmetics isn’t enough as to be a true Police cruiser, whatever vehicle Chevrolet decides to offer will need some serious grunt which means the usage of the 455 hp 6.2L V8.
Most newer Police interceptors don’t use large output motors these days. No police vehicle can outrun a camero or vet. Police departments are looking for utility and need the mouniting points and separated cabin.
I agree the Ford PPV’s are all 4 and 6 cylinder which is nuts let’s get back to the days of the 396, 427 or 454 cid which they never will cause we have Hybrids now and they are faster then a combustion engine sad to say at least there pickup is much better But I’d love to see them keep the Impala or Malibu or at least try and compete with the Explorer with the new Blazer we need a smaller then Tahoe PPV I still love the Tahoe and think it’s 10 times better then the Explorer but everyone wants something a little smaller then the Tahoe cause at this moment it’s the only real PPV out there for GM B ut they could introduce the Camaro PPV again
Have you seen the LA Sheriff’s and MI State Police Testing? The Ford Police Interceptor Utility dominated all police vehicles with a 3.5L V6 and even beat the Dodge Charger with a V8 Hemi. Because it’s an SUV, the Ford had to carry an additional 400lbs. Sorry, but the larger displacement doesn’t mean what it use to…
IIRC Pittsburgh PD was using G-body Olds 88s, Bonnevilles, W-Cutlass and Luminas before any fwd GM police car was offered, this might lead to something. IMO I’d like to see Cadillac CT5 3.0tt as a police highway interceptor or / an highway EMS response car.
Pittsburgh was GMs test bed in the 80s & 90s from 5spd GrandAm taxis to Buick Electras cop cars.
Reread this article. It is incoherent.
A police agency taking a non-ppv GM vehicle and using it for police duty, pretty sure I’m on topic…
I think they were just showing as a possibility as a PPV knowing it’s not fully designed for Police work
Here is the problem to day. Profits from police sales are generally low as many go to the lowest bidder.
As for how much power it would have enough as radios are where the coverage is today.
Another issue is with the CUV Fords they have more room and advantages but they are also top heaven. I saw a Ford PIT a BMW and flip over. Not a good thing.
My thinking is a Blazer would be better as it is smaller and lighter as well better handling.
And I believe the Blazer or Traverse could compete with the Explorer as it looks the same size and it and that seems to be what every department out there is going with I don’t think the Dodge Darango is going to make it one county over from me which just so happens to be the 5 riches county in the country they are driving the Dodge charger and just started driving the new Darango looks like a POS just saying.
You must be in Loudoun Co . Fairfax Co is always all Ford but they just have a few new Chargers recently.
The State Troopers here are Chargers and Tahoe’s.
Most local departments are Non Turbo Explores.
Never see a Durango here. .
I note how many departments now have available air coverage and even the GPS sensors the shoot that stick to the cars.
Even on Live PD many just call off the chase anymore.
Times and tactics change.
I am shocked on the show how often a runner is caught before the end of the show because someone calls in fingering them.
Big block police cruisers are a thing of he past. For one, fuel cost is a big budget buster when fuel cost rises. Second, high speed chase are essentially not allowed. Too many crashes and deaths that sets up law suits and property damage cost. Cameras all around on most highways, helicopters with night vision, better communications between law enforcement and the dumb law breaker running away has cell phones for tracking them. It all makes it safer for all of us.
“Second, high speed chase are essentially not allowed. Too many crashes and deaths that sets up law suits and property damage cost.”
^This.
It’s okay for the department to apprehend the guy, but no department wants to get wrapped up in clean-up costs and court cases resulting from accidents during the chase.
“Cameras all around on most highways, helicopters with night vision, better communications between law enforcement and the dumb law breaker running away has cell phones for tracking them. It all makes it safer for all of us.”
^This too.
Once the helicopter is following you and the plate and vehicle description is entered, all the cops have to do is wait for the car to crash, run out of gas, or to break something in the engine.
Real world police chases aren’t like those in GTA5.
Is the gmauthority things on there a watermark?
The Blazer looks super cool and the 3.6 V6 has great pep. The only problem is that the cargo area is too small to carry all the equipment that police agencies require these days. The Traverse or the GMC Acadia would be absolutely perfect and would shut out competition from the Ford Police Interceptor Utility. Either of those would be, hands down, the best option. I own a Blazer and a Traverse and have been in police work for 30 years. Come on GM/Chevy, let’s do this!