Dukes Of Harlem Go From Zero To Sixty Like A Bullitt

The New York Police Department is purchasing muscle cars that go from zero to 60 in 6.52 seconds because — as everyone who drives in New York knows — it is absolutely necessary to be able to attain speeds of 150 mph while patrolling the wide-open streets of Manhattan:

If it’s good enough for Daisy Duke and her outlaw kin, it’s good enough for New York’s Finest.

Looking for a car that can peel rubber and keep pace with the revved-up rigs of rebels, the NYPD is adding the Dodge Charger — the preferred ride of the Dukes of Hazzard — to its fleet of cruisers.

“We’re always looking for good equipment, including a little muscle in the car department,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

The 2006 Charger can giddyap to 150 mph, and reach 60 mph in 6.52 seconds.

“The car that does 110 mph doesn’t do it anymore,” said Leonard Lesko, the NYPD’s director of fleet services.

The NYPD is buying 15 of the muscle cars, equipped with 5.7-liter, V-8 Hemi engines and a road-warrior reputation.

Dodge introduced the car in 1966, but Steve McQueen made it famous in the 1968 flick “Bullitt” playing a San Francisco cop tailing a blood-thirsty underworld kingpin who drove a Charger.