A new police pursuit vehicle hits the road later this year - and it's the first of its kind. Ram is unveiling the first and only pursuit-capable Heavy-Duty Pickup, proof that HD pickups can do more than just tow and haul.
The automaker says the new 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) is in response to agency requests for a pursuit-capable emergency‑response package suited to rural, mountainous and mixed‑terrain regions. It builds on the Ram 2500 Special Service Vehicle and adds some upgrades including additional performance hardware, underbody protection and provisions for communications equipment.
Ram says the pickup was engineered to meet or exceed key law-enforcement requirements: including interior and exterior ergonomics, integration of communications equipment, pursuit-capable vehicle dynamics and repeatable high‑performance durability.
Michigan State Police Testing
The Ram 2500 ERV underwent extensive testing by the Michigan State Police at Michigan's Grattan Raceway. Tests included high‑speed maneuverability, braking performance, competitive hot laps and acceleration. Ram says the 2500 ERV met or exceeded the criteria for law enforcement duty and outperformed competitive vehicles in post‑test tire wear after completing 40 laps at Grattan Raceway.
Of course, it is the 2500 we're talking about, so that means there was no issue meeting the MST's acceleration requirements. The HD's 6.4‑liter HEMI V‑8 is capable of 405 horsepower and 429 lb.‑ft. of torque. It's paired with a TorqueFlite HD eight‑speed automatic transmission, a selectable two‑speed transfer case route power to the axles, while Ram says an anti‑spin differential paired with an uprated 4.10 axle ratio enhances acceleration and power delivery (standard Ram 2500 axle ratio is 3.73).
Photo: Stellantis.
Specific tests performed at the MSP trials included:
- 0-60 mph acceleration, 0-80 mph acceleration, and 0-100 mph acceleration
- Distance covered to reach top speed
- Average deceleration rate while performing 20 full anti-lock brake stops from 60-0 mph
- Successful completion of all 32 laps of the Grattan Raceway dynamics testing without major component failure
Gratton Raceway is a two-mile track located just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan. It features ten challenging turns that include a 160‑degree hairpin, a downhill reverse‑camber section, and a 3,200‑foot straight designed to test both acceleration and braking performance. For law enforcement vehicles, Ram says conditions like these serve as critical indicators of real‑world pursuit capability and test the balance between handling, acceleration and braking.
In 0–100 mph acceleration testing, Ram cites recorded times within two seconds of several lighter and smaller ½‑ton truck and SUV competitors, posting an 8.41 second sprint to 60 mph, 13.22 seconds to 80 mph and 20.5 seconds to 100 mph. Ram also says the pickup reached a tire-limited speed of 103mph in 0.45 miles, staying on-pace with competitors.
Additionally Ram adds that while heavy duty trucks are traditionally known for being good at towing and hauling, those same attributes translate to the braking and handling required to manage the extreme chassis loading that pursuit and emergency vehicle duty cycles impart. The automaker calls the Ram 2500 uniquely positioned for high-performance pursuit driving thanks to its class-exclusive five-link coil system rear suspension. Ram says its proven design provides noticeable handling gains, without sacrificing ¾ ton capability.
Durability is also a key factor. The 2500 ERV is also equipped with: a transfer‑case skid plate for critical underbody protection and 18‑inch steel wheels engineered to withstand the demanding abuse of field operations. Ram says dual alternators rated at 400 amps provide additional electrical output and superior charging capabilities for high-demand auxiliary hardware.
The cabin is outfitted with a Vehicle System Interface Module, instrument panel auxiliary switches and dedicated wiring circuits which Ram says provide ease of upfit for fleets with special equipment. The Ram’s column shifter also helps with space for communications equipment and other electronics used in the field.
Availability
The 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle will be available to fleets in the second half of 2026.
Photo Credit: Stellantis.
