CARBON MOTORS CORPORATION’s E7
Tactical-Life.com brings you the newest Law Enforcement products from the 2008 International Association of Chiefs of Police Show!
Carbon Motors Corporation is a new DHS company developing the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle to address our nation’s first responder needs. This special purpose vehicle, code named “E7″ will provide unique attributes for LE at a lower total cost-of-ownership and significant environmental benefits. It was constantly surrounded at IACP this year in San Diego with many news crews trying to get the exclusive.
The E7 runs off a high-tech clean diesel powertrain capable of running on biodiesel. With the recent announcement that the popular Ford Crown Victoria will come to an end in the near future, the interest in this futuristic police vehicle is extremely high. Working with many LE agencies, Carbon Motors determined 88 critical requirements that are integrated as features of the E7. Most notably is the return of “suicide” doors that briefly appeared on cars in the 1960s. The door configuration allows officers to utilize the front and rear doors as ballistic shields with armor built in. Ballistic armor is also built into the dash. LED emergency and search lights are imbedded into the body and various panels and the company expects has integrated technologies like license plate readers that sound an alarm when a potential warrant or wanted felon is identified.
Visibility is improved with a 360-degree video surveillance. Weight is minimized by a proprietary aluminum spaceframe (designed in partnership with Lotus) and interior that is compliant with all federal safety regulations. The vehicle is designed to a 250,000 mile durability specification powered by a 6 liter, 300 horsepower diesel engine. An automatic transmission delivers the power to the wheels delivering the occupants to 60 miles an hour in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I have to wonder what the cost of the added protection is. Its great to see a built-for-the-purpose vehicle but for suburban and semi-rural colorado it seems that the fleet bid for plice cards is as much about the price point as it is thier practical use and durability on patrol.