The Machine: Carbon's Cop Car Creation

If you haven't heard by now, you could be seeing the Carbon Motors E7 -- billed as the world's first purpose-built law-enforcement vehicle -- in your rearview mirror sooner than you think.

We recently had a chance to take a closer look at Carbon's cop car creation at the 115th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in San Diego. Nicknamed "The Machine," the E7 was rolled out in front of one of the largest gatherings of police chiefs in the world and is a key stop on the Carbon Motors 2008 Pure Justice Tour of major U.S. cities. According to the company, what makes the E7 special is its purpose-built mission and advanced engineering. Carbon boasts that the E7 is more fuel efficient, cheaper to purchase, maintain, and outfit than any other police cruiser currently on the market and is built to withstand a demanding 250,000-mile lifespan. It looks pretty mean, too.

Although providing police officers with the latest in car technologies isn't a new idea, what is revolutionary is how the Atlanta- based company is going about doing it. By taking suggestions via a Web site (called the Carbon Council) from active officers, Carbon is not only creating an all-new car to best serve them, but also a viable, dedicated automotive segment vehicle. If all goes according to plan, Carbon eventually hopes to sell some 75,000 E7s a year.

"The nation's law-enforcement first responders are being challenged in ways never imagined -- so now is not the time for small plans. The country needs a serious product for a serious mission," says William Santana Li, chairman and CEO of Carbon Motors Corporation. "This is now a defining moment for law enforcement. I ask you to stand with us and unite for a common cause."

With the Pure Justice Tour, the automaker is looking to drum up investor and police department excitement for the new ride, which it hopes to bring to production by 2012 or earlier, should enough preorders get signed. And if the proposed E7 makes it to production, it's bound to be Public Enemy No.1 for its chief rivals, the proven Ford Crown Victoria, Chevrolet Impala, and Dodge Charger/Magnum.

What's the big deal? A new cop car, so what? The differences are plenty and begin with its performance-oriented spaceframe developed by Lotus Engineering. Lightweight and easy-to-replace body panels are affixed to the chassis, as are front and rear push-bars. Designers implemented a body-integrated light setup that Carbon says aids in fuel efficiency as the light units don't hinder the car's aerodynamics.

Inside the cockpit, tough ergonomic seats comfortably accommodate officer and equipment during long shifts. Officers will find a 17-in. multifunctional display screen with available automatic license plate recognition as well as a P.A. system and radio connectivity. Unlike other police-spec'd models from large OEMs, the E7's factory-installed police equipment allows for the car's guaranteed compliance to federal safety regulations. According to company officials, the E7 can withstand 75-mph rear impacts. As an added bonus, Carbon says none of the equipment will hinder the operation of air vents or airbags, or occupy uesable space. Rear seats have been molded into one easily washable piece, accessible through the E7's rear-hinged doors. On the driver's side of the cockpit divider, legroom has been enhanced with a biased seat-travel design. As a result, the rear-passenger side gets added legroom as well.

Seperating the E7 further from the competition is its unique powertrain. While no engine supplier details have been announced (rumors are a BMW powerplant is the frontrunner), Carbon Motors has confirmed the rear-drive E7 will employ a 300-hp, twin-turbocharged diesel making 420 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic helps deliver the power, and Carbon estimates the car to move to 60 mph in 6.5 sec. If its estimates are correct, the oil-burning E7 would be the quickest police car on the streets today. Massive 14-in. front/13-in. rear disc brakes are designed to stop the car in a hurry, while the performance suspension ensures officers won't be outdone on any possible high-speed pursuits. Amazingly, even with the respectable power and torque figures, Carbon says the car can attain a 28-30-mpg combined fuel economy and achieve a range of approximately 522 miles on one 18-gal tank of fuel.

As reported earlier, officals are still mum regarding where exactly the E7 will be produced. But Li and company did indicate factory site negotiations are still underway. Full production details are expected to be announced in the near future. Also to be announced in a few months is the car's exact pricing. From what we can gather, officials are looking to position the E7 in the same price range as current retail passenger cars outfitted with police equipment, which by many calculations can total upward of $70,000 per car. Included in this price is the company's recycling program, which sends all cars at the end of their duty back to Carbon Motors for parts reuse. The idea with this program is a reduction in the environmental impact and the prevention of cars reaching the hands of police imposters.

There are still a lot of big ifs with the E7, especially in the present economic environment. But if Carbon Motors can indeed pull it off, law enforcement officers worldwide will have the option to purchase what could turn out to be the world's most capable crime-fighting vehicle.