Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI)
A second generation Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor of the Indianapolis Police Department in 2008
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Also called	Ford Crown Victoria P71 (1998–2009) Ford Crown Victoria P7B (2010–2011)
Production	1992–2011
Assembly	Talbotville, Canada (St. Thomas Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Patrol car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Panther
Chronology
Successor	Ford Police Interceptor Sedan Ford Police Interceptor Utility

First generation
A first generation Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor of the Miami-Dade Police Department, pictured here in August 2004.
Overview
Production	1992–1997
Body and chassis
Related	Mercury Grand Marquis Lincoln Town Car
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 L Modular V8
Transmission	4-speed AOD/AOD-E automatic 4-speed 4R70W automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.4 in (2,906 mm)
Length	1992–1994: 212.4 in (5,395 mm) 1995–97: 212.0 in (5,385 mm)
Width	77.8 in (1,976 mm)
Height	1992–1994: 56.7 in (1,440 mm) 1995–97: 56.8 in (1,443 mm)

Second generation
A second generation Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor of the Indiana State Police
Overview
Production	1998–2011
Body and chassis
Related	Mercury Grand Marquis Mercury Marauder Lincoln Town Car
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 L Modular V8
Transmission	4-speed 4R75W automatic 4-speed 4R70W automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.7 in (2,913 mm)
Length	212.0 in (5,385 mm)
Width	2007: 77.3 in (1,963 mm) 1998–2006: 78.2 in (1,986 mm)
Height	1998–2001, 2006–2011: 56.8 in (1,443 mm) 2002–05: 58.3 in (1,481 mm)

The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (colloquially referred to simply as the CVPI, P71 or '"Crown Vic"') is a four door body on frame sedan that was manufactured by Ford from 1992 1/2 to 2011. It is the law enforcement version of the Ford Crown Victoria. From 1997 and into the early 2010s, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was the most widely used automobile in law enforcement operations in the United States and Canada. They were also used for this purpose on a more limited scale in other countries.

After the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Caprice, the Ford Motor Company held a near-monopoly on the market for police cruisers in the United States and Canada for over a decade, because the conventional rear-wheel drive, V8 power, and body-on-frame construction are advantageous for police use. The CVPI's body-on-frame construction allowed inexpensive repairs after collisions without the need to straighten the chassis. Rear-wheel drive made the car easier to avoid spin-outs during hard maneuvers than front drive rivals, and allowed it to better withstand rough driving over curbs and other obstacles in the urban environment.

Although the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was not sold to the general public, they are widely available via secondhand in North America once they are decommissioned and no longer in service in law enforcement and fleet duty. The cars are in demand by taxi companies, those who want a safe, durable and/or inexpensive car, and those who need a car with a bench seat which can take three passengers in the back. The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor came equipped with many heavy duty parts such as a revised transmission, and a 187 kW (254 PS; 251 hp) engine. Used Crown Victoria Police Interceptors are normally stripped of any police decals, computer equipment, police radios, and emergency lights before being sold or auctioned to the public.

Though the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1979–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet and taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S (similar to LX). From 1992 to 1997, the police car models of the Crown Victoria (both base and LX trims) were officially known as Crown Victoria P71s.