LA Auto Show Design Challenge to tackle future CHP vehicles

When one thinks of Los Angeles, the near future and police vehicles, one particular conveyance comes to mind — the Syd Mead-designed Spinner from Ridley Scott's 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner. Perhaps cognizant that the time of the film's dystopian setting, 2019, is less than seven years away, the L.A auto show Design Challenge group has set a date of 2025.

What will California look like 13 years in the future? What challenges will the officers of the California Highway Patrol need to meet? We can tell you that 13 years ago, they were driving Panther-platform Crown Victorias. Will they still be offering sterling service on the highways and byways of Northern California from behind the wheel of D3/D4-based Taurii and Explorers? It would not surprise us in the least.

Still, the Design Challenge is nothing if not progressive and hopeful. In that spirit, Bentley, BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Subaru have put their best people on it. Notably absent is Ford. Will they be a late dark-horse entry? Or will they still be churning out the same machines they're building for the CHP today?

Only Larry Wilcox knows, and Larry Wilcox ain't talkin'. You might try asking Edward James Olmos, but we're betting he'd just want to bring back the Gran Fury.

By Davey G. Johnson