Dodge’s 2015 Charger Pursuit looks so mean, we don’t even miss the Crown Vic

By Stephen Edelstein August 11, 2014

When the refreshed 2015 Dodge Charger was unveiled back in April at the New York Auto Show, there was something missing. Besides the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat, of course.

The current Charger is by far the meanest-looking police car on the road, and Dodge hopes to maintain that reputation for intimidation with the 2015 Charger Pursuit.

The new police version gets the same updated face as the rest of the 2015 Charger lineup. Opinions are still split on this new styling, but it definitely looks good in black and white.

Like the civilian Charger, the Pursuit is available with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that produces 292 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 good for 370 hp and 390 lb-ft.

The latter can propel the Charger Pursuit from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, Dodge says. Both models are once again available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

RELATED: Ariel Atom police car unveiled

To make the 2015 Charger fit for police duty, Dodge had to reshuffle the interior. As in previous Charger Pursuit models, the automatic transmission’s shifter gets moved to the steering column, and the front seats get modified bolstering to accommodate officers wearing holsters.

In addition, the car comes pre-wired for extra electronics like lights, sirens, or cameras. There’s even a trunk-mounted fan to keep electrical equipment cool.

2015-specific changes include a new steering wheel with extra buttons for operating auxiliary police equipment, an available backup camera, and minor changes to the suspension and brakes.

It may not be the wildest police car out there, but if you’re speeding, the 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit is likely the scariest thing you’ll ever see in your rearview mirror.

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.