Ford Debuts Stealth Police Interceptor Concept at SEMA

Alongside the barrage of other Ford vehicles at the 2010 SEMA show will be something you’re not supposed to see. Well, you are, but you can’t at first because it’s stealth! Right. Except that the SR-71 Blackbird aircraft—which supposedly served as the inspiration for this Stealth Police Interceptor concept and countless vehicles before it—is supposed to be invisible to radar, whereas this Interceptor aims to conceal the guy aiming his radar gun at you.

A one-inch body drop lowers this Taurus-based cop car over huge, staggered-width 22-inch wheels that would look more fitting on a perp’s vehicle. Perhaps it’s not as intimidating as the current orforthcoming Dodge Charger police car, but this Interceptor would be frightening enough when its inconspicuous black-framed blue and reds are set ablaze and you’re being asked for your license and registration. The Stealth Interceptor gets a black mesh grille, a big rear spoiler, tinted windows, and some slick-looking smoked taillights. To our eyes, this is what the Taurus SHO should have looked like—minus the colored lights, of course.

Inside, the P.I. is meant to look like a stock Taurus, concealing all of the fun police toys like an onboard computer, light and siren controls, and a radio; there’s even a special compartment in the glove box to stash secret weapons (really!). The only real tip-offs are the awkward cop-spec column shifter and the forward-facing camera.

Ford doesn’t reveal this concept’s specific powertrain but says it would be the same offered on the production Interceptors in the form of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 engine producing at least 280 hp, or the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 pumping out at least 365 hp.

With many municipalities already stalking the streets in pedestrian-looking unmarked cars, this is one concept we surely don’t want to see make production. C’mon, at least give us a chance!