New patrol cars are put through their paces in the UAE

Sirens, flashing lights and a stiff breeze as the police car races past you - it’s guaranteed to make your heart beat a tad faster, even for a split second.

It’s no surprise, then, that there was a definite buzz about the Yas Marina Circuit last week as the next generation of police cars from Ford Motor Company

arrived in the UAE to be put through their paces.

New patrol cars are put through their paces in the UAE
7DAYS' Eve Dugdale after driving one of Ford's police cars around the Yas Marina Circuit

A fleet of all-new, high-tech 2013 Police Interceptor sedan and utility cars had been shipped all the way from the US.

Ford, which has been making police pursuit vehicles for more than 15 years, has taken on board the needs of police officers in the Middle East when coming up with a vehicle design that would provide maximum assistance for our upholders of the law. The international vehicle-makers also work hand-in-hand with a police advisory board of law enforcement professionals from the US and Canada to get feedback on safety, performance, durability, driver comfort and functionality.

“These vehicles have been specially designed and engineered to handle the rigours of police work, providing more performance, outstanding handling and fuel economy,” said Hussein Murad from Ford Middle East.

The Police Interceptor sedans on display at the Yas circuit meet stringent law enforcement standards and boast such features as ‘ballistic door panels’ - to protect those inside from gunshots - and rear doors that open 10 degrees wider than traditional doors. There’s also a few special high-tech additions, such as a radar sensor system that alerts the driver - with a warning light in the sideview mirror - if somebody enters a blind spot.

FEELING THE FORCE

When I told my father I would be travelling in a police car, I was ready for the obligatory dad jokes. But the joke was on my motoring-mad dad when I went on to say I’d be driving it and, not only that, I’d be whizzing round the famous Yas Marina Circuit.

Sitting in the car with a Ford engineer, who’d flown over from Detroit in the US especially to showcase his pride and joy, I was dubious about picking up speed but under instruction from the lead driver on the track I took my foot off the brake and put the steering to the test in a slalom around cones. Luckily my nerve didn’t fail me.

I kept checking the rearview mirror for squashed pieces of orange plastic but managed to dodge the narrowly placed guides. Then it was on to the wet-pad area. Sprinklers covered the concrete as I dodged cones before putting my foot right down to test the brakes. As much as I’d like to credit years of driving in wet Manchester, I must admit the car’s handling was key. Now I just need to know where I can buy a police car...

eve.dugdale@7days.ae