BMW To Supply Diesel Engine to Carbon Motors for Police Cars
BMW and Carbon Motors have struck a deal, according to which BMW will supply 240,000 turbo diesel engines, including cooling and gas exhaust systems, for E7, the automaker’s patrol vehicle.
Though no further details have been provided, the Carbon E7 police car will give tough competition to the Police Interceptor, Chrysler Corp.’s Dodge Charger police car, and GM’s new Chevrolet Caprice PPV.
Carbon Motors chairman and CEO William Santana Li. states, “America’s largest, and most visible fleets of government-owned vehicles, now in excess of 450,000 units, deserve the most durable, efficient and reliable powertrain available. The strength of BMW as a partner will allow us to provide our women and men in uniform with a diesel engine capable of the performance they desire along with the significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions that U.S. taxpayers need.”
Since 2003, Carbon Motors has been working on the concept of a patrol car that will comprise built-in enforcement features, comprising siren, video and audio surveillance of the rear compartment, automatic license plate recognition, spot lights, remote start, special police seats, and integrated shotgun mounts.
According to Stacy Stephens, the company’s co-founder, the company has applied for a $310 million loan from the government loan and if it succeeds in getting the same, it will provide 1,550 direct job in the economically backward Connersville. Stephens added: “We’re extremely confident of being awarded that loan. We’ve made it past the first milestone.”
Ian Robertson, a BMW AG board member, said that the company hoped to acquire the government loan in the next six months, adding, “A lot depends on how quickly their business plan takes off. Obviously, that’s their business. But they say they have 13,000 confirmed orders from U.S. police forces already, and that’s encouraging. We are delighted to support Carbon Motors Corp. with our engine expertise. BMW Group diesel engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance. Today’s agreement with Carbon Motors marks an important milestone in BMW’s 35-year commitment to the United States market.”
There is ever rising demand for diesel in the United States, and this step seems to be in that direction. Diesel technology for the police vehicle will bring down the estimated 1.5 billion gallons/year of gasoline consumed by the US law enforcement agencies. According to BMW spokesman Dave Buchko, of every three X5s sold in the United States, one is a diesel model.
The Carbon E7 will further cut the emission of CO2 approximately by 14 million tons per year. It is expected to run about 250,000 miles, whereas the standard police patrol car can run up to 75,000-120,000 miles.
According to the Carbon Motors, which is tight-lipped on the carbon E7 price, the police car has been covered with an aluminum space frame. The vehicle that weighs 4,000 pounds will go with a speed of “60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at 98 miles per hour.”
