An armored Terradyne Gurkha Multi-Purpose Vehicle for the Princeton Police Special Response Team is displayed at the Pumpkin BooLooza. Courtesy Photo

It’s definitely not your family SUV.

The Princeton Police Special Response Team has taken delivery of a Gurkha Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) from Terradyne Armored Vehicles of Ontario, Canada. 

The Gurkha is built on a Ford F-550 4×4 chassis and powered by a 6.7-liter V8 turbo-diesel engine producing 330 horsepower.

Heavily armored, the MPV is designed to withstand .50-caliber gunfire and hand-grenade blasts and is equipped with run-flat tires, thermal imaging and multiple cameras.

It includes an OEM Ford infotainment system with AM/FM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and an 8-inch screen.

“We are proud to have the Terradyne Gurkha as a part of our fleet; it is another tool to help safeguard our officers and citizens,” said Princeton Public Safety Director James Waters. “The Terradyne has already responded to calls for service and has proven to be a valuable asset in enhancing officer safety and supporting critical operations.”

It has been displayed at several community events, including last month’s Pumpkin BooLooza, and Waters said it had been received by the community very well.

“It has been everything we hoped it would be and more, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’ve already had the chance to drive it myself,” he said.

Funding for the MPV came from sales tax revenue authorized for the project by the Princeton Community Development Corporation and was approved March 9 by City Council. The base price was $244,000 with $101,000 in optional upgrades.

The Gurkha replaces a surplus military MRAP, or mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, given to the city two years ago by the Wylie Police Department. 

Police Sgt. Trim said that vehicle had only been used twice, was impractical for city streets and would not shift out of first gear.

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