The Prince George RCMP has a new workhorse in its stable.
The first of what will be a growing number of Ford Taurus police interceptors was unveiled to local media Tuesday at the detachment.
The car features a 3.5-litre, 280-horsepower V6 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes and all-wheel drive.
The all-wheel drive was particularly notable for Prince George RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass, who said the system will be well suited to the gravel and snow local police often deal with in this region.
Ford's Crown Victoria has been a police mainstay since 1997 but they were discontinued in 2011. The Crown Victorias were strictly rear-wheel drive and while they held a 4.6-litre V8, they delivered 30 fewer horsepower than the Taurus, which also has better fuel economy.
Over time, all 21 of the Prince George RCMP's marked Crown Victorias will be replaced with the Taurus.
