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The Chevy Caprice Police Car Is Back!
The Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (Photo: Jalopnik)
Ray Wert, Jalopnik
November 17, 2009
After a 15-year absence patrolling U.S. streets, an all-new law-enforcement-only Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) joins GM’s fleet in 2011. Although it’s built on the same rear-wheel-drive Camaro and dearly-departed Pontiac G8-spawning Zeta platform, it’s not a G8 sedan.
Chevrolet plans to make the announcement of their new police cruiser today at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention, in Denver, Colorado. Because we asked, we’ve been given an exclusive look at the details of the new car they plan to begin taking orders on next year with cars set to hit the streets in early 2011.
Contrary to reports at the end of last week by a number of auto outlets, we’re now able to exclusively report GM’s new police cruiser brings back the old Chevy Caprice name. It also will not be a re-badged Pontiac G8 sedan. Instead, the new Chevy uses the longest wheelbase version of the Zeta platform — 118.5" — making it almost four inches longer than the 114.7" wheelbase Pontiac G8 sedan. If that bigger-than-G8 number sounds familiar, it should — it’s the same length as the Holden VE Ute, the Holden Statesman and the Middle Eastern Chevy Caprice and…drum roll, please…the Pontiac “El Camino” G8 ST. That’s right folks, the new police car from Chevy is as close to the El Camino as we’re coming here in the U.S. We’ll give you a moment to clean up any coffee you’ve just spit up.
MIKIESPLACE
7 days ago
84 Comments
YOU WOULD THINK MAYBE A CAR MANUFACTURER WOULD SIT DOWN MAYBE 10 ACTIVE DUTY LEOS AND ASK THE ALMIGHTY QUESTION-what do you guys need to do your jobs better and safer?
Whalewatcher
8 days ago
1500 Comments
I have the usual concerns when it comes to new police cars: 1) Reliability; 2) Interior size for large officers; 3) Officer safety in case of an accident. Didn't see much info concerning these issues; the longer wheelbase doesn't automatically solve the size and safety issues. Taking a "Wait and see" position about this new car ........
mcp690
8 days ago
72 Comments
Nice try. I'll keep my Charger. That thing looks too much like the slightly bigger brother of the Smart Car.
buck63
8 days ago
188 Comments
This car looks to much like the Impala and I hate the Impala because I am 6'4 230 and patrolling around for twelve hours in a sardine can sucks
cadetdave2
8 days ago
78 Comments
its ugly. handling doesnt look too great either
Dudar228
8 days ago
86 Comments
Wow, and it actually looks like a police car! Looks like there might be room to mount a pair of twin 50's to give the po-po an edge in pursuits.
Ellis364
9 days ago
4 Comments
Should be intersecting to see if this actually happens. Looks like it could be a viable candidate for a pursuit rated production vehicle package to compete with the Charger and the CVPI.
95Zcar
9 days ago
2414 Comments
Over due... All you E7 fanatics, we will have to see overall cost including cost for replacement parts etc... Not an unbeliever, just skeptical.
HEYSARGE
9 days ago
12064 Comments
Well Ford and Chevy can go back into competition now!
Union8
9 days ago
106 Comments
I wasn't really into this car, until he said it comes with RWD and more Horsepower than my Vette ! In a Mid Size looking car, that thing should scoot pretty good ! But it's nice to see another application coming out. To easy to spot Crown Vic's, mixing it up is good.
Leandrod
9 days ago
12 Comments
Looks too similar to the impala but smaller...can't wait for the E-7
theshieldman2000
9 days ago
350 Comments
Im still waiting on the E-7, but Im definately a Chevy Man. Althought the Impalas left a bad taste in almost everyones mouth, I hear Ford (Found On the Road Dead) will take up that torch by introducing the Taurus in 2011 (yawn).
However the older (90's) Caprices were (and still r in my book) legendary. I just hope this new Chevy will resurrect(sp?) the GMC name in POlice cruisers, not only in power, but long-gevity. For now, Ill be content driving my nice ,bad-a$$ looking Charger, and let the rooks and/or old farts drive around the senior-citizen/ handles like a brick/ Crown vicks.
Chapman38
9 days ago
250 Comments
E7 will trump this, and most cars.
cgregor12
9 days ago
2574 Comments
I am 6'2 and this car looks tiny....
Bean13
9 days ago
30 Comments
looks to much like the impala/malibu/not-respected rent-a-cop car :( ....here's to hoping Ford gets it right in 2011