Worldbuilding Realism Consultation Thread Mk. 4

[Organized States]

So, what are you guys' thoughts on Ford's new Police Interceptor? Good choice for my country? I've got a very large roadway/highway system...

[Costa Fierro]

It's certainly superior than any of the vehicles it replaces.

[Costa Fierro]

And as far as patrol cars are concerned I'd obviously either get a full size car with the smallest available engine or a smaller vehicle, or a mix of the above.

Getting a vehicle with the smallest engine possible is fine if it doesn't weigh as much but if it is a large American sedan, you're simply throwing money away. Underpowered vehicles will chew through food, especially if they are used for emergency vehicles.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

And as far as patrol cars are concerned I'd obviously either get a full size car with the smallest available engine or a smaller vehicle, or a mix of the above.

Getting a vehicle with the smallest engine possible is fine if it doesn't weigh as much but if it is a large American sedan, you're simply throwing money away. Underpowered vehicles will chew through food, especially if they are used for emergency vehicles.

Throwing money away? Why? And I think you meant fuel not food.

Since times immemorial city and metro American police agencies have used full sized sedans with generally the smallest available engine, because lowered speed and acceleration have an infinitesimal negative effect on performance on urban roads, especially in contrast with the fuel savings generated by using a smaller engine. And it has served them pretty good. Another advantage of the classic American police car is the body on frame construction which allows for cheap repairs (and modularity although this hasn't really been exploited a lot) .

EDIT: Remember that perhaps 99% of the time all a patrol car will be doing is just cruising along at the lowest speed that won't disrupt nearby traffic,

[Costa Fierro]

Since times immemorial city and metro American police agencies have used full sized sedans with generally the smallest available engine, because lowered speed and acceleration have an infinitesimal negative effect on performance on urban roads, especially in contrast with the fuel savings generated by using a smaller engine.

Smaller engines do not always mean instant fuel savings, especially if the engine is under powered. You stick a small engine in a car as big and as heavy as a Crown Victoria and the result is a rather slow vehicle that doesn't save as much fuel.

I took the liberty of making a comparison between the Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus and Dodge Charger. Make what you want of the data provided.

And it has served them pretty good. Another advantage of the classic American police car is the body on frame construction which allows for cheap repairs (and modularity although this hasn't really been exploited a lot) .

There's no doubt in it's reliability. But it's old. It's slow. And there are superior vehicles now available to police departments.

[Keyboard Warriors]

Since times immemorial city and metro American police agencies have used full sized sedans with generally the smallest available engine, because lowered speed and acceleration have an infinitesimal negative effect on performance on urban roads, especially in contrast with the fuel savings generated by using a smaller engine.

Smaller engines do not always mean instant fuel savings, especially if the engine is under powered. You stick a small engine in a car as big and as heavy as a Crown Victoria and the result is a rather slow vehicle that doesn't save as much fuel.

I took the liberty of making a comparison between the Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus and Dodge Charger. Make what you want of the data provided.

It's worth noting the differences in technology used in powerplant of each vehicle. The Taurus uses Ford's relatively modern Cyclone which is easily the better of the two V6s while the Impala uses an old pushrod engine that dates back to the 1980's, but the Impala can run on 3 cylinders. Same thing with the V8's; the Ford Modular engine has been relatively unchanged since the early 1990's while the Dodge uses Chrysler's Hemi, which isn't the most frugal engine around but was designed more than a decade later. These differences would contribute far more to fuel consumption than a smaller engine working with a larger car. In the real world and depending on one's driving style, you may find that smaller engines don't promise the fuel savings that you expect but in the standardized MPG tests, smaller engines tend to fare far better. It's just because of how these tests are actually done.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

OK, I suppose you are right, but choosing a small engine over a larger one should help with both initial acquisition costs and maintenance over time , no?

[The Akasha Colony]

OK, I suppose you are right, but choosing a small engine over a larger one should help with both initial acquisition costs and maintenance over time , no?

It may be cheaper up front, but if that smaller engine has to be pushed harder to move a heavier car, that won't be good for reliability.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

OK, I suppose you are right, but choosing a small engine over a larger one should help with both initial acquisition costs and maintenance over time , no?

It may be cheaper up front, but if that smaller engine has to be pushed harder to move a heavier car, that won't be good for reliability.

Well really, the smallest I was thinking of going for cars traditionally based around V8s would have been something like the new 2.3L I4 Ford EcoBoost which will be on the Lincoln MKC and Mustang, with 285HP and 310HP, respectively.

EDIT: Apparently the 2.0 L I4 EcoBoost is already available on the Taurus , which happens to be a full size sedan.

EDIT 2: Apparently they've put something as small as a 2.1L I4 201 HP diesel engine on something as humongous as the S Class (previous generation S 250 CDI)

[Fashiontopia]

It may be cheaper up front, but if that smaller engine has to be pushed harder to move a heavier car, that won't be good for reliability.

Well really, the smallest I was thinking of going for cars traditionally based around V8s would have been something like the new 2.3L I4 Ford EcoBoost which will be on the Lincoln MKC and Mustang, with 285HP and 310HP, respectively.

EDIT: Apparently the 2.0 L I4 EcoBoost is already available on the Taurus , which happens to be a full size sedan.

Just buy my Tempra King Alexander Police Vehicle which gives Police Departments the option of a V6, a Turbo Charged V6, a V8 and a Supercharged V8. We recommend the use of the Turbocharged V6 because when it needs to come alive it does on the throttle, but a cruising speeds it won't break the bank, yet has enough torque to move King Alexander which is made out of lightweight materials.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Well really, the smallest I was thinking of going for cars traditionally based around V8s would have been something like the new 2.3L I4 Ford EcoBoost which will be on the Lincoln MKC and Mustang, with 285HP and 310HP, respectively.

EDIT: Apparently the 2.0 L I4 EcoBoost is already available on the Taurus , which happens to be a full size sedan.

Just buy my Tempra King Alexander Police Vehicle which gives Police Departments the option of a V6, a Turbo Charged V6, a V8 and a Supercharged V8. We recommend the use of the Turbocharged V6 because when it needs to come alive it does on the throttle, but a cruising speeds it won't break the bank, yet has enough torque to move King Alexander which is made out of lightweight materials.

You have so many cars lol, they're really cool and the storefront is too. I'd love to make it interactive if you're interested.

And really I would consider your offer but right now I'm kind of on hold as far as IC development is concerned, I'm just figuring out technical details and stuff for myself. Again if you'd like I'd love to help you make an interactive part to your storefront.

[Fashiontopia]

Just buy my Tempra King Alexander Police Vehicle which gives Police Departments the option of a V6, a Turbo Charged V6, a V8 and a Supercharged V8. We recommend the use of the Turbocharged V6 because when it needs to come alive it does on the throttle, but a cruising speeds it won't break the bank, yet has enough torque to move King Alexander which is made out of lightweight materials.

You have so many cars lol, they're really cool and the storefront is too. I'd love to make it interactive if you're interested.

And really I would consider your offer but right now I'm kind of on hold as far as IC development is concerned, I'm just figuring out technical details and stuff for myself. Again if you'd like I'd love to help you make an interactive part to your storefront.

Alright I'll shoot over a TG.

[Costa Fierro]

OK, I suppose you are right, but choosing a small engine over a larger one should help with both initial acquisition costs and maintenance over time , no?

Depends on the engine and the manufacturer. More basic and simple engines will be easier to maintain and be more reliable whereas more complicated engines will be more difficult and complicated to maintain, especially if everything is controlled via computer chips.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

OK, I suppose you are right, but choosing a small engine over a larger one should help with both initial acquisition costs and maintenance over time , no?

Depends on the engine and the manufacturer. More basic and simple engines will be easier to maintain and be more reliable whereas more complicated engines will be more difficult and complicated to maintain, especially if everything is controlled via computer chips.

Isn't everything in this day and age?

[Costa Fierro]

Depends on the engine and the manufacturer. More basic and simple engines will be easier to maintain and be more reliable whereas more complicated engines will be more difficult and complicated to maintain, especially if everything is controlled via computer chips.

Isn't everything in this day and age?

Indeed. But I'm sure your police force is funded well enough to overcome maintenance and fuel expenses anyway.

[Padnak]

So, what are you guys' thoughts on Ford's new Police Interceptor? Good choice for my country? I've got a very large roadway/highway system...

(Image)

Infurior in all ways to this

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Isn't everything in this day and age?

Indeed. But I'm sure your police force is funded well enough to overcome maintenance and fuel expenses anyway.

I was thinking about making bulletproofing a standard requirement lol

[Keyboard Warriors]

It may be cheaper up front, but if that smaller engine has to be pushed harder to move a heavier car, that won't be good for reliability.

Well really, the smallest I was thinking of going for cars traditionally based around V8s would have been something like the new 2.3L I4 Ford EcoBoost which will be on the Lincoln MKC and Mustang, with 285HP and 310HP, respectively.

EDIT: Apparently the 2.0 L I4 EcoBoost is already available on the Taurus , which happens to be a full size sedan.

EDIT 2: Apparently they've put something as small as a 2.1L I4 201 HP diesel engine on something as humongous as the S Class (previous generation S 250 CDI)

The 2.0 version of the EcoBoost is a great engine, would be a great alternative to a V6.

[Keyboard Warriors]

So, what are you guys' thoughts on Ford's new Police Interceptor? Good choice for my country? I've got a very large roadway/highway system...

(Image)

Infurior in all ways to this

You can get a modern retake on those though

[Costa Fierro]

Infurior in all ways to this

You can get a modern retake on those though

Only until 2016. Ford will then close Australian production of the Falcon.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

You can get a modern retake on those though

Only until 2016. Ford will then close Australian production of the Falcon.

Are full-size cars in Australia the equivalent of mid-size cars in the US?

[Fashiontopia]

Indeed. But I'm sure your police force is funded well enough to overcome maintenance and fuel expenses anyway.

I was thinking about making bulletproofing a standard requirement lol

Good thing the Tempra King Charles has Bulletproof Front Doors and Bullet resistant windshields.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

I was thinking about making bulletproofing a standard requirement lol

Good thing the Tempra King Charles has Bulletproof Front Doors and Bullet resistant windshields.

I was actually thinking thinking of going cab - engine - fuel tank but that is probably pretty wanky.

[Fashiontopia]

Good thing the Tempra King Charles has Bulletproof Front Doors and Bullet resistant windshields.

I was actually thinking thinking of going cab - engine - fuel tank but that is probably pretty wanky.

Oh yeah if you were to do all that you'd need a high torque V8... there's no way a 4Cyl or a 6Cyl would tote all that unless you went with Kevlar and I'm not sure how hot Kevlar can get before it's structural intergrity lowers. Really the doors and the windshield are all you need, you can replace police cars, but families can't replace husbands, sons, brothers and dads. Plus the only guns most criminals should have IF they are going to shoot at you is Handguns, maybe Shotguns, and if you're in an extremely bad situation 5.56 or 7.62 but those would be rare as criminals don't have $1000 to drop on an AR or even more than that to drop on Black Market automatics. Trained police should be able to eliminate dumb criminals really before they get more than one shot off.

[Keyboard Warriors]

Only until 2016. Ford will then close Australian production of the Falcon.

Are full-size cars in Australia the equivalent of mid-size cars in the US?

No, Australian large cars are noticeably bigger than their Mondeo/Fusion and Malibu counterparts. GM Holden offers a long wheelbase version of their Commodore which, coincidentally, is exported to the US as the Chevrolet PPV.

On a side note, there's probably no need for bulletproofing at all, unless your police typically face off against criminals using large caliber firearms. It seems a bit of a waste, just personally.