Every cop show in the 1990s has the beloved Ford Crown Victoria as the police unit. The “Crown Vic” is still widely considered the best police car ever. Why is that? The Crown Victoria changed how police cars are developed and what specifications to expect in a police unit. The Crown Vic had everything a police officer could want in a vehicle. 

The Police Interceptor

Ford developed the Crown Victoria in 1992, and it was still in the market until 2012, with production stopping in 2011. Law enforcement was drawn to the Crown Victoria because these units were faster than police cars in the past; they were also much more comfortable, making those long shifts a little better and more tolerable. 

The center console was made with duty belts in mind. Officers had more room for their accessories and other equipment, too. In addition, the Crown Vic was made to be highly durable and safe. It even decreased the chance of bursting into flames in rear-impact crashes. For these reasons, fictional cop shows have crazy police pursuit scenes using the Crown Vic. 

The frame of this car was designed to be like an off-road vehicle. Ford developers built the Crown Victoria with body-on-frame construction, which is how most rugged, off-road vehicles are designed. This particular design allows it to handle more torque from its v8 engine. 

The name Interceptor was first used with the Ford Crown Victoria from 1997 to 2013. These vehicles were the most used in law enforcement. There were a few generations of these iconic police units made. The first generation lasted from 1992 to 1997. The second generation of the Crown Vic began in 1998 and lasted until 2011. 

The Crown Victoria Is A Beast!

One of the key reasons the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor became so infamous in the law enforcement world was that it was built with durability and even ruggedness in mind. From the very beginning phase, this vehicle was designed to be comfortable and rugged simultaneously so that police officers would have a reliable car that was equipped for any situation. Police vehicles must be able to handle long hours of use and high mileage and must have the ability to perform well in high-speed pursuit situations. The Crown Vic achieved all of this.

Having a comfortable patrol car that holds everything you need and is fast is the ultimate goal for all police officers. When a new police vehicle comes out, questions such as how fast it is, whether the trunk can fit all necessary equipment, and how many cup holders are there are among the most commonly asked questions. Comfort, convenience, and speed are all reasons why the Crown Vic was and is still so loved. 

The speed and agility made the Crown Vic Police Interceptor a desirable patrol car. Officers could arrive at a call with speed and confidence. Additional modifications, such as bumper guards, made these vehicles more durable. Part of the appeal of this police unit was the sound the V8 made. The sound that resonated from it was distinct and powerful. 

Horsepower and Torque

The V8 engine was specially designed to handle high-speed use and offer law enforcement a fast and reliable way to arrive at a scene. The 1992 version had 190 horsepower. This exact engine continued in the design of the vehicle through 1997. In 1998, Ford remodeled the engine; the new engine boasted 200 horsepower. Later, in 2006, Ford decided to equip the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with a flexible fuel engine. This particular engine ran on gas and E85 Ethanol, made of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. 

Overall, the Crown Vic has always had good gas mileage, another benefit for police vehicles since they run almost non-stop, anywhere from 8 to 12 hours. 

Another reason this vehicle made an excellent police car was its colossal trunk space. The ability to put everything necessary for duty in the 20 cubic foot trunk, since the backseat is a cage for transporting, and the ample space of the Crown Vic made the car even more desirable. 

Crown Victoria Interceptor is Born

Finally, these fleet vehicles were economically priced, making it much more desirable for police departments to select that particular vehicle. After all, outfitting a fleet with suitable, reliable police units is costly. The Crown Vic allowed police departments to have every patrolman in a top-of-the-line fleet vehicle. In addition to being a low-cost vehicle, the maintenance for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was also budget-friendly. For instance, the drivetrain on the Crown Vic was primarily on the rear axle, which can decrease damage acquired in a crash.

The alternator included in this car was also able to handle much more. Since police vehicles are outfitted with much more equipment than a standard car, an alternator that could handle a lot was necessary. This way, a Crown Vic could run for hours and activate lights, sirens, and radio equipment efficiently. This particular vehicle had nothing but positives to it. This may be why so many departments still have this vehicle, aside from being the best police car ever made. 

Best Police Car Ever?

The Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will always be considered the legendary police car. In 2019, there was a movie named “Crown Vic”. It is plain to see why the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor is still among the best police vehicles in history. For police officers, their vehicle is often where they spend much of their day. Having the luxury of a police vehicle that is affordable, durable, reliable, and comfortable is the ultimate package in a police vehicle. 

Much of the outfitting of today’s police vehicles was inspired by the Crown Vic. In addition, many police departments have held on to at least one of these legendary police units, whether for display or actual use. Some large departments, such as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Austin Police Department, ordered numerous Crown Vic units when it was announced that their production would stop. To this day, the LA County Sheriff’s Department still uses some of those particular police vehicles. 

It is said that the Tesla Model 3 may be as fast as the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, but there has yet to be a vehicle as efficient and as acclaimed as the Crown Vic. Many law enforcement agencies in urban areas are implementing electric police vehicles into their fleet as well. While this works for some police departments,  it isn’t a solution for all, especially those in rural areas. 

The other advantage of the Crown Vic was that it was a great police vehicle for any terrain or environment. It was a police car that suited both city police agencies and sheriff’s offices alike. Time will tell if there will ever be another police car that lives up to the standards of the Crown Vic.