Carbon Motors' E7 "The Machine"

It's been awhile since I've done a car post and a friend of mine still had not heard about this one so here we go. The E7 from Carbon Motors is billed as the first "purpose-built" law enforcement vehicle. Carbon says the E7, affectionately nicknamed "The Machine", is more fuel efficient, much cheaper to buy, equip and maintain than other police cruisers. The E7 is also more durable. Carbon states that "vehicle life durability specification" is 250,000 miles. It's also a mean looking vehicle whose specs are even meaner:

POWERTRAIN / CHASSIS
•Engine: Forced •Induction 3.0 Diesel
•Recommended •Fuel: Ultra-low sulfur (ULS) Diesel or BioDiesel
•Driveline: Rear-Wheel-Drive
•Horsepower: 300 bhp
•Torque: 420 lb-ft
•Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
•Front Brakes: 14" Vented Discs, ABS
•Rear Brakes: 13" Vented Discs, ABS
•Wheels: 18 x 8" Steel
•Tires: 245/50R18
•Front Suspension: Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
•Rear Suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, self-leveling shocks, anti-roll bar

PERFORMANCE
•0 - 60 mph: 6.5 seconds
•Quarter Mile: 14.5 seconds @ 98.0 mph
•Top Speed: 155 mph
•Braking 60 - 0 mph: 125 feet
•Lateral Acceleration: 0.85 g
•Combined City/Hwy Fuel Economy: 28 - 30 mpg
•Fuel Capacity: 18.0 Gallons

There are other cool features of this vehicle that you'll wish were on your car:
•Designed to 250,000 mile durability specification
•Aluminum spaceframe body structure
•75 mph rear impact crash capability
•Vehicle dynamic control
•Optimized approach / departure angles and ground clearance
•Heads up display
•Reverse backup camera
•Remote start capability
•Driver specific intelligent key
•Nightvision compliant interior illumination

There are also other cool features that are specific to law enforcement, some of which you'll wish were on your car too:
•Cockpit with fully-integrated factory fitted law enforcement equipment
•Integrated emergency lights, spot lights, take down lights, and directional stick
•Segment exclusive coach rear doors for safer suspect ingress and egress
•NIJ Level III-A (or better) ballistic protection (front doors and dash panel)
•Purpose-designed seat for use with on-body equipment - Heated and ventilated seats
•360 degree exterior surveillance capability
•Automatic license plate recognition system
•Video and audio surveillance of rear passenger compartment
•Integrated forward looking infrared system (FLIR)
•Integrated shotgun mounts
•Hoseable rear passenger compartment
•Integrated push bumpers and PIT capability

I have on occasion met up with officers of the law. Most of them are good people doing a very difficult job. One I could not do myself. In response to this someone once asked me if I was scared and I finally got to use a line by Robert Deniro from Ronin: "Am I scared? Of course I'm scared! You think I'm reluctant because I'm happy?" This is why although some members of law enforcement are my least favorite people I do not fault or blame them in the least. They are strong, brave people doing a job not many can. They put their live on the line everyday to protect good citizens from the peril they face everyday. And to all members of law enforcement I thank you for your sacrifice and bravery. I sincerely hope that this type of equipment that can enable you to do your job better and more safely makes it's way into your hands sooner rather than later.

I can almost hear Elwood now:

"It's got a cop motor, a forced induction 3.0 liter plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks. It's a diesel model so it'll be good on gas and last forever. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?" Elwood Blues - The Blues Brothers.