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Justin Pritchard
Big Three heat up the police package market
Big Three heat up the police package market

The combination of a black grille and small blue badge flanked by amber lights has become the dread of speeders everywhere. It's called the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI), and it's the longest lived and most well known police vehicle out there. In fact, 8 out of 10 road-going officers are perched behind a blue oval on the steering wheel when they head out on patrols.

Why the success? Easy.
CVPI is currently the market's only standard V8, rear-drive, body on frame vehicle. The latter construction method is old fashioned, but it's praised for toughness and ease of repair. It's built the same way as most big, tough pickup-trucks- ideal for safety and strength.


Power for CVPI comes from the same 250 horsepower 4.6 litre V8 engine that drives the rear wheels in standard models. Rear drive has benefits in handling and balance, and for a heavy full sized car, the CVPI handles remarkably well. Of course, agility becomes important during high-speed pursuits and quick U-turns to pursue fleeing suspects.

Toughness, performance and versatility have made the CVPI a popular choice, but it's now facing competition from other American carmakers who offer newer, safer and more efficient packages to law enforcement. After all, it's also no secret that the Crown Victoria is getting old. Its engine is dated, its platform is old-school, and it's no longer the only big, rear-drive sedan on the block.

To help sort out the new competition, I spoke to police vehicle expert and collector Mike Babij for more information. I didn't want to check out three police cruisers from the back seat, after all.

Dodge Magnum / Dodge Charger
Dodge now offers police-spec Chargers and Magnums- and if you look closely, you'll notice they've become somewhat popular already. The new machines pack more available firepower by way of their optional HEMI engines, and even Chrysler's 3.5 litre V6 matches the output of Fords V8 with 250 ponies. With the V6 installed, the Magnum wagon and Charger sedan are plenty quick.

Features like Electronic Stability Program (ESP) help make safe use of the power during high speed maneuvers, and All Wheel Drive is even available: an ideal option for units patrolling highways in wintertime.

With Chrysler's Multi Displacement System (MDS), HEMI equipped machines deliver 340 ponies worth of blistering pursuit performance while saving up to 20 percent on fuel. Most police fleet Chryslers will use the V6, as it represents an ideal balance between economy and power.
Justin Pritchard
Justin Pritchard
Automotive expert
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