Full Breakdown
Dodge Unveils Charger Police Pursuit Vehicle Concept
8/13/2026, 12:03:56 PM
Core Event: Charger PPV displayed at the Police Fleet Expo
At the recent Police Fleet Expo in Daytona Beach, Stellantis showcased a prototype of a Dodge Charger configured for law-enforcement use. The demonstrator, branded the Charger PPV, was positioned in the Stellantis Law booth and featured a suite of patrol-oriented upgrades, including a light bar, exterior graphics, a Havis-supplied center console for radios and laptops, and interior partitions separating the rear occupants from the cargo area.
Background & Context: Shrinking sedan police-car market
The appearance of the Charger PPV follows the discontinuation of several factory-built police sedans. Ford ended production of the Taurus-based Police Interceptor Sedan about seven years ago, Chevrolet halted the Caprice PPV two years earlier, and Dodge ceased the previous-generation Charger sedan in 2023. As a result, many agencies have turned to pickup-style vehicles or have retrofitted civilian models such as the Ford Mustang for pursuit duties, despite manufacturers indicating no plans for a dedicated police Mustang.
Official Statements & Responses
Dodge CEO Matt McAlear told CarBuzz that the company is “actively talking” with multiple law-enforcement agencies about launching a new Charger for black-and-white service. A Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the expo was used to highlight the automaker’s public-safety lineup, which includes the Durango Pursuit, the Ram DJ Emergency Response Vehicle, and an “available at retail” Charger. The spokesperson added that Stellantis’ fleet team collaborates with agencies such as the Michigan State Police and the California Highway Patrol to set pursuit-rated benchmarks. Road & Track reported that the prototype is slated to be available for order in summer 2027.
Data & Specifications
The Charger PPV is built on the current Charger platform and is expected to offer either a 420-horsepower or a 550-horsepower version of the Hurricane inline-six engine, both surpassing the 370-horsepower output of the prior V-8 model. The vehicle retains the Charger’s all-wheel-drive layout and incorporates reinforced suspension components, additional engine and gearbox cooling, and standard police-car interior fittings such as passenger dividers and dedicated radio controls. The concept still carries cloth seats and carpet, which industry observers note would need upgrading for full patrol deployment.
Why It Matters: Expanding options for police fleets
With few factory-built sedan police cars left on the market, the Charger PPV could restore a high-performance, rear-wheel-drive-style option for departments that prioritize speed and handling over the larger pickups now common in law-enforcement fleets. If the prototype proceeds to production, it would give agencies a new choice for pursuit-rated vehicles and could influence future procurement strategies across U.S. police agencies.
