It's the combination of a black grille flanked by amber lights and a small blue badge that is the dread of speeders and lawbreakers everywhere. It's called the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, or CVPI for short, and it is arguably the longest lived and most well known police interceptor out there.
Americas first automaker has offered a police package in its lineup since 1950. That's nearly six decades of police confidence in Ford's lineup that is
apparent on roadways everywhere today. The carmaker owns about 80 percent of the total annual sales in the police vehicle market and is set to sell some 50,000 more units this year.
Currently, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the market's only standard V8, rear-drive, body on frame vehicle. This form of construction is lacking in the Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger police vehicles. Body on frame construction is praised for toughness and the ease of repair associated with having chassis components mounted to a frame rather than the body of the car.
Additionally, Ford started a Police Advisory board early on with the goal of collecting feedback and ensuring that the needs of its law-enforcement customers were met.
It seems to have worked- with the toughness, power and comfort that the CVPI imparts on its law-enforcing drivers, it's going to be a tough car to match. Dodge and Chevrolet products are strapping on stripes and light-bars as well, but Ford knows that sometimes it's best to leave a great thing just the way it is.
Americas first automaker has offered a police package in its lineup since 1950. That's nearly six decades of police confidence in Ford's lineup that is
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| 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police Package (Photo: Ford) |
Currently, the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is the market's only standard V8, rear-drive, body on frame vehicle. This form of construction is lacking in the Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger police vehicles. Body on frame construction is praised for toughness and the ease of repair associated with having chassis components mounted to a frame rather than the body of the car.
Additionally, Ford started a Police Advisory board early on with the goal of collecting feedback and ensuring that the needs of its law-enforcement customers were met.
It seems to have worked- with the toughness, power and comfort that the CVPI imparts on its law-enforcing drivers, it's going to be a tough car to match. Dodge and Chevrolet products are strapping on stripes and light-bars as well, but Ford knows that sometimes it's best to leave a great thing just the way it is.