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PoliceLink's Patrol Car Guide
Kevin Powers | PoliceLink
Ford Crown Vic
known as the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, Ford built this popular patrol car off of the Lincoln Town Car.It’s the only full-frame rear-wheel-drive passenger cars built in North America, which increases handling and provides officers better traction during acceleration. It’s also one of the few body-on-frame vehicles available, which makes it better suited for heavy-duty usage and easier to repair after crashes.
The car, which is only sold from Ford for law enforcement use, is built with V8 power, heavy duty transmission, heavy duty brakes, and a 250 hp (190 kW) engine.
And there are some other notable upgrades in the Police Interceptor. An external oil-to-coolant heat exchanger keeps engine oil temperatures down. The transmission is set up for more aggressive shifting, they added a dual exhaust system and a “stab plate” is installed behind the seats to prevent a perp from doing any damage to an officer while being transported.
The Crown Vic has dominated the market because of these advantages, but it will be replaced in 2011 with a version based off of the 2010 Taurus.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
Still the "1" heavy, solid but sends a messge 'BRING IT ON.'
MidnightMike
over 3 years ago
470 Comments
Best one ever--1996 Caprice with the LT1 engine. The worst--the Impala. Cramped, poorly constructed, no trunk space. Gave up an old Crown Vic for the Impala, sure wish I had the Crwon Vic back. I remember the old Gran Fury/Diplomat, too...not bad for it's time, still beats an 07 Impala.
semicrazy1
over 3 years ago
236 Comments
Diesel? What about some states no idling rules for diesels? Wouldn't these be included? I'd like to see them Nascar fast .
semicrazy1
over 3 years ago
236 Comments
Rides rough and the rear passenger compartment is designed for really small people....
FULTON_372
over 3 years ago
58 Comments
Crown Vic saved my butt many times. It may be slow and corner like a whale but sure is more comfortable 8-12 hour office on wheels.
JR909
over 3 years ago
32 Comments
Bring back the Dodge Diplomat (1988)
Whalewatcher
over 3 years ago
9932 Comments
Also showing my age here. Best police car I drove was a 1980 Plymouth Volare, with the 360 C.I. engine and heavy-duty suspension package and cooling. Fast and cornered extremely well; only problem was it ate transmissions left and right !! One of ours went through three trannies in 42, 000 miles !!
jcocasio
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
Great to hear but Honolulu Police Department is switching to the Toyota Camary Hydrid
acellk9
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
chevy tahoo two thumbs up
HB613
over 3 years ago
48 Comments
Wheres the Impala at?!?!?!?!
JTAC2010
over 3 years ago
84 Comments
That E7 sure is looking cool. But I think the favorites will remain for me the Crown Vic and the Dodge Charger.
daredad
over 3 years ago
104 Comments
I guess I'll show my age also. When I started we had the Dodge 440 magnums. They were pure speed, and ugly to handle. The Ford Ltd's. came next, and weren't anything to brag about. Dodge Diplomats followed. They sounded tough, but weren't. The bathtub Chevy Caprices came along, and were ugly and not much to brag about. Finally the Crown Vics came, and saved the day. They weren't as fast as the Chevy's, but a lot more comfortable. The Crown Vics were last patrol car I drove. Overall I liked them the best. Now you have Dodge Chargers, and I'm really old. What in the world is an E7? I may have missed something, but I didn't see who makes it. It sounds impressive.
Hillmanjdh
over 3 years ago
4 Comments
Yeah although I am a die hard Chevy fan the E7 seems to be the most promising.
René
over 3 years ago
808 Comments
Crown Vic...the transmission could take a beating and rear wheel drive made fast maneuvering/quick turns easy. Great in the snow too.
NorthernCop
over 3 years ago
132 Comments
Chevy Tahoe way more HP then the VIC plus more room