Daily News: Thursday 7/20/17

Ford Certifies First Pursuit-Rated Pick-Up TruckPolice departments across the country have had access to pick-up trucks for various truck-like duties, but when the going got fast, these police trucks had to sit the pursuits out. To become pursuit capable, Ford took their F-150 FX4 3.5L EcoBoost model, and added police-calibrated brakes, all-terrain tires on 18in rims, a special police-grade interior, and a hearty electrical system. A pursuit is not very pursuit-like without the power to stick with most anybody, and Ford sends 375hp and 470lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic gearbox to ensure that the F-150 Police Interceptor has enough power.

Ideal for rural environments patrolled by sheriff’s departments, border patrol operations and fish and game authorities, such departments can place their orders today.

Formula One Teams Not Pleased With Halo ProtectionYesterday, FIA announced that the 2018 F1 season cars would feature the halo-design safety cockpit safety system for drivers. Apparently this was an unpopular move, as Autosport reports that nine out of the 10 teams currently in F1 coted against the Mercedes-designed system at a Strategy Group meeting yesterday. Despite this opposition, FIA still has the power—and plans to use it—to implement the halo safety system.

While FIA has mandated that some protection is necessary and is going forward with the halo design, it is entirely possible that a better design will be thought up, and future seasons will feature different devices.