Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet has served alongside Ford and Dodge for decades in the police business, and their Caprice models with 5.7 litre V8 engines were laid to rest much to the dismay of officers everywhere.
The agile front-drive Impala sedan was the replacement. Powerful V6 engines come alongside a selection of modern day safety features and class-leading fuel economy. The latest models are more generic looking as well- carrying a new shape that easily blends in and flies under the radar, so to speak.
There is even a smallblock 5.3 litre V8 engine available that develops 300 horsepower, designated as the Impala SS. Although it drives the front wheels, the combination of understated looks and American V8 muscle make it a stealthy and potent interceptor.
But to many officers, it's no replacement for the big, solid rear-drive machinery that's served them for ages.
Babij owned a retired Caprice interceptor as a personal car for a number of years, and comments "the Caprice was strong, safe, and big. The new Impala's are a nice ride, but they're tight when in uniform, and with a cage installed, you resemble a sardine. Most officers that ran the Caprice models say it was the best cruiser ever made. Now, CVPI is the closest thing to a Caprice. It's just about as good."
Which one is best?
Do Dodge and Chevrolet have the CVPI outgunned? More technology and more power are available from each, but Ford demonstrates that sometimes it's best to leave a great thing just the way it is.
Babij says "police cars are not about being the best at one thing, but about being good at most things. The CVPI has more than proven itself in the past- and now the others have to prove themselves to it. This game is all about being reliable, fast, comfy, simple and safe. The CVPI is cheap to fix, easy to work on, has plenty of power and lots of room."
There is a lot in a name too- and when you've been building police cars for as long as Ford has, a legendary status is sure to follow you around.
Babij adds "You'll see an Impala or a Charger, maybe with lights and extra hardware attached for police duty, sure. But when you see a Crown Victoria, you see a police car."
photo:Justin Pritchard, General Motors
Chevrolet has served alongside Ford and Dodge for decades in the police business, and their Caprice models with 5.7 litre V8 engines were laid to rest much to the dismay of officers everywhere.
The agile front-drive Impala sedan was the replacement. Powerful V6 engines come alongside a selection of modern day safety features and class-leading fuel economy. The latest models are more generic looking as well- carrying a new shape that easily blends in and flies under the radar, so to speak.
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There is even a smallblock 5.3 litre V8 engine available that develops 300 horsepower, designated as the Impala SS. Although it drives the front wheels, the combination of understated looks and American V8 muscle make it a stealthy and potent interceptor.
But to many officers, it's no replacement for the big, solid rear-drive machinery that's served them for ages.
Babij owned a retired Caprice interceptor as a personal car for a number of years, and comments "the Caprice was strong, safe, and big. The new Impala's are a nice ride, but they're tight when in uniform, and with a cage installed, you resemble a sardine. Most officers that ran the Caprice models say it was the best cruiser ever made. Now, CVPI is the closest thing to a Caprice. It's just about as good."
Which one is best?
Do Dodge and Chevrolet have the CVPI outgunned? More technology and more power are available from each, but Ford demonstrates that sometimes it's best to leave a great thing just the way it is.
Babij says "police cars are not about being the best at one thing, but about being good at most things. The CVPI has more than proven itself in the past- and now the others have to prove themselves to it. This game is all about being reliable, fast, comfy, simple and safe. The CVPI is cheap to fix, easy to work on, has plenty of power and lots of room."
There is a lot in a name too- and when you've been building police cars for as long as Ford has, a legendary status is sure to follow you around.
Babij adds "You'll see an Impala or a Charger, maybe with lights and extra hardware attached for police duty, sure. But when you see a Crown Victoria, you see a police car."
photo:Justin Pritchard, General Motors