The Ford Mustang Failed The Australian Highway Patrol’s High Performance Test Because It Overheated
When we tested the 2015 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 GT at a wet and windy Silverstone last month, we couldn’t help but fall for it. With new independent rear suspension, a 410bhp V8 and a sweet manual gearbox, we were overjoyed that Ford had finally given us a Mustang that felt at home on undulating UK roads.
With production of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore coming to an end, our friends down under have been searching for their next high performance patrol vehicle. The Mustang was their first choice with its sizeable boot, torque-laden V8 and well-regarded factory support. Unfortunately - and somewhat surprisingly - the GT failed the Australian Highway Patrol’s high performance test with Jalopnik reporting that the car overheated after just three minutes of “intense driving.”
The GT passed a brake test at the New South Wales (NSW) Police Driving Academy, but the automatic gearbox - a requirement for all vehicles on the force - put an end to proceedings, forcing the car into a “limp home mode” mid-way through a performance test. Business Insider Australia reported that the car even had to be taken to a local Ford dealership for repairs.
So it looks like the Ford is well and truly out of the running, but the NSW Police Department still has the Volvo S60 Polestar and Volkswagen Golf R Wagon on its shortlist. The car that they eventually choose will have to take part in Operation Freeflow, an operation designed to deter traffic offences by intimidating drivers to slow down. Granted, the Golf and Volvo will be better dynamically, but is there anything scarier than seeing a V8 Muscle car in your rear-view?
So this got us thinking. Can we help choose a car for the NSW Police Department? What automatic, high-performance car would you guys like to see join the force? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: EFTM and Business Insider Australia.
Comments
So why not a Volvo S60 with Polestar’s V8?
Where i live, most of the cop cars are škodas and other vag group cars, but also a few opel astras and corsas, a few fiat tipos (the new ones) a smart car etc, used for 90% of the work. And than we have interceptors, audis 3.0tdi 280hp + mapped (ILEGALY!!!) , a 320+kmh bmw . (3 series, e92, not sure if its an M car or a tuned 335i) a few mercs, and eaven vw tuaregs (can catch you off guard, as all interceptors are unmarked)
“But is there anything scarier than seeing a V8 Muscle car in your rear-view?” Yes anything that can corner.
S or RS audis Maybe ?
Get some Audi RS6 Australia.
Why don’t they try STIs?
Down here in Florida we use everything that’s seized haha. I’ve seen Hyundai Tucson’s and Sonatas to Hellcats. Mostly though they use the Explorer, Charger or Taurus.
The Mustang tested was not Police Spec’d and most of the cop cars in Oz are 6 and 4 cylinder these days so they are not looking to mass order a ‘high performance’ anything .
I’m sure Ford Australia aren’t losing any sleep over not being able to entertain the Police because every RHD Mustang allocated to Australia is sold for full retail price … before they have even left the US.
Im in thw greater Los Angeles area, ive commenly seen Taurus, the Explorer and chargers. I really only see the crown vics in the poorer parts of town.
dodge challenger. regular RT Hemi should do nicely, especially with the wonderful ZF 8-speed auto