Ford Crown Vic redesign due in 2009, the fuzz is pleased
The Crown Victoria will live! That's the word, according to a recent article in Law and Order magazine, which puts to rest rumors of Ford killing off its body-on-frame, V8-powered, RWD sedan, loved by police and loathed by anyone who's gotten the gumball machine treatment.
The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) will continue to be produced in its current form through 2008, with a redesign due in 2009. The new model will keep the same dimensions as the current vehicle, with measured revisions to add both performance and safety.
A posting on CrownVic.net brings to light some interesting facts about the CVPI, with regard to airbags (i.e. how do you get side curtain airbags to function properly when there's partition between cop and criminal), the importance of ballast, what level of performance is necessary and a host of other geeky tidbits.
Although this may be good news for both Ford and our boys and girls in blue, it doesn't bode well for Dodge, whose Charger has been the up-and-comer in a number of precinct garages.
[Source: Jalopnik via Crownvic.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MUSTANGBOY 4:10PM (1/24/2008)
I WISH THEY JUST BROUGHT THE AUSIE FALCON OVER AND CALLED IT THE CROWN VIC
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Corey W. 9:23AM (8/30/2006)
I don't care if it's Dodge or Ford, just stay out of my rear view mirror!! ;-)
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BOB 9:48AM (8/30/2006)
So does this mean the Town Car goes on, too?
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MadeinDetroit 9:43AM (8/30/2006)
Amen Corey W!
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Ken 9:46AM (8/30/2006)
I personally love it that Ford has recognized a cash cow. Yes, all the Ford bashers/Toyota lovers are going to rip Ford for producing such an antique who's heritage goes back to 1979. But if it's a profit machine, who cares? Same goes for the Town Car. Why kill it, even if it is produced solely for fleet sales? When you're strapped for cash, these are what seem to be simple decisions. It's obvious DCX has recognized the potential in the police busines or they wouldn't have bothered coming out with the Charger. Or maybe Dr. Z was a little embarrassed when his wife was arrested last year for serving minors alcohol in her home and there were Ford Crown Vics in his driveway?
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BOB 9:52AM (8/30/2006)
Of course they should not be killed off because they seem old in the industry -- BUT --ALTHOUGH I AM A FORD LOVER, NOT A FAN OF THE JAPANESE AS A PEOPLE --- FER CHRISSAKES, TOYOTA WOULD HAVE MADE A NEW MODEL YEARS AGO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE C__A__S__H AND BRAINS.
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Dennis 9:57AM (8/30/2006)
In every test I have read, the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300's are miles above the venerable Ford. Why would any police force want the old guard when they can have the best for the same price?
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Ken 10:04AM (8/30/2006)
Dennis,
Thhink about it: If you have a large fleet of the Crown Vic, and can swap parts from one to the other to save on repair costs, wouldn't you do it? Most cities are strapped for cash, anyhting they can do to save a buck they will (or should). When a Crown Vic is totalled or is pulled off the road because of age, gotta believe a lot of parts are pulled off for spares (tail lights, head lights, seats). Don't forget about police comfort. Performance may play into the Charger having the upper hand, but the Crown Vic is comfortable to drive, and has a track record for reliability, the Charger has no record for reliability (at least the police version). Plus no spare parts on city shelves.
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jordan 10:11AM (8/30/2006)
Re: Dennis,
This has been said before when the CVPI topic has come up, but I'll say it again: take a Vic and a Charger on a high-speed chase, throw in some off-road bumps from chasing the car over curbs, through a field or two, maybe even catching a little air, then tell me which one survives. The Panther platform is old, but it WORKS...again and again.
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Cap'n Jack 10:18AM (8/30/2006)
This trhead has Dukes of Hazzard written all over it. Red states.
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Tom 10:24AM (8/30/2006)
9. This trhead has Dukes of Hazzard written all over it. Red states.
Posted at 10:15AM on Aug 30th 2006 by Cap'n Jack 0 stars
Only thing I can add to your comment "Cap'n Jack is: Thank God for us Red States. Red states do not translate into Red Necks, my friend. Go get in your Prius and move on.
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cowboy bob 10:27AM (8/30/2006)
Several things come to mind while reading these posts. 1. The reponsibility of part supply is not in the same sphere of influence as that of procurement. Translation- the guys who want and will buy the replacement cars are not concerned with replacement part cost. Besides, the taxpayer is a money tree, so who cares. 2. Cops like to look cool, and be the baddest of the bad. To drive the new Charger with a Hemi? Or, drive Grandpa's car? It's simply not gonn'a happen. 3. Chrysler will pull all the plugs to make this happen. Read money. They have more cash to throw, and will. 4. Every cop I know, and I know a few, lament the loss of the Carpice LT-1, and tell you that the Ford doesn't hold a candle to the old Caprice. 5. Release date. The Dodge will get there first, and in this business, second is last, or never.
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Mad Detroiter 10:46AM (8/30/2006)
From the CrownVic forum: "There will be no change in the interior space, trunk volume or wheelbase."
That is a huge disappointment, as anyone who has been in the back seat or trunk of a 1992 or newer Crown Vic will tell you. I have a 2001 Grand Marquis (same dimensions) and the contrast between that and my 1984 Crown Vic are striking - the old vic has far more interior room. With the new ones, by the time that partition is in place, there is barely room for much else. Now, I'm certainly not advocating that there should be comfort for prisoners, but the rear seat almost becomes a package shelf. The Crown Vic is no longer a true 6 seater, or even 4 adult seater for that matter. And the trunk of my 1984, while only two cubic feet larger, is better laid out and seems much bigger, not to mention there are side storage areas for things under the mat that the newer ones don't have.
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Ryan 10:57AM (8/30/2006)
Red States, Blue States?
Hey we are all in the United States of America,
Now California give Texas a hug, and vice versa.
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john 11:13AM (8/30/2006)
Ditch the Crown Vic and get this ultimate eco-friendly cop car....
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/lexus_hybrid_police.php
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Will 11:13AM (9/01/2006)
I can't help but think that Ford is missing a golden opportunity here. Why not make the Police Interceptor a built to Police spec, and sold only to Police bad a@#. I'm not talking about a black and white seniors car, but a huge V-8, RWD, solid handling sedan. After a year or two of selling "Police Only", then they open up the market to civillians.
Much the same way a Hummer sold because it was "only" for the Military, the Crown Vic would likely sell because it has a Cop engine, Cop brakes, and Cop tires.
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Paul Murray 4:56PM (8/30/2006)
I can't imagine that Dodge's plan for success in this market was based on Ford getting out of it ... so saying that "it doesn't bode well for Dodge" is s real stretch.
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Gardiner Westbound 12:08PM (8/30/2006)
For a car that has been manufactured for about 100-years it still isn't very reliable.
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Chris 12:27PM (8/30/2006)
Law & Order Magazine??
Im not sure we can say this story puts anything to rest. Think I'll wait for a better source.
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fawgcutter 1:11PM (8/30/2006)
A lot of police departments are reluctant to change from the Crown Vic (or even the Caprice when it was available) because they are body-on-frame. The advantage for them is that they can use the car for pushing vehicles off the road (ie PIT) without suffering extensive body straightening afterwards.
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