Now that the Pontiac G8 is headed for the scrap heap, General Motors has decided that it will sell something else on its well-regarded rear-wheel drive platform: police cruisers! Yes, the Chevrolet Caprice is back and this time it has a fully independent suspension and a 6.0-liter V8 up front. At least, it could. Police agencies will be able to choose a V6 too, but that's far less menacing don't you think?
Although it's built on the same platform as the G8, the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) as it's officially called, actually rides on a stretched version of GM's Zeta platform. With a 118.5-inch wheelbase, it's the biggest vehicle on the rear-wheel drive architecture. This allows for a little extra legroom for the exceptional passengers in back, not to mention more room for seat adjustment for officers up front. Look out for Chevrolet Caprice PPVs starting in 2011.
carluvr1 says:
10:23 PM, 10/ 4/09
is this a prank or for real ? if its for real it would be nice to see this around the streets besides the acient Crown Vics currently used... i can hear that smallblock rumbling already.
redliner says:
12:17 AM, 10/ 5/09
Great. Just great.
Just when u thought 400 hp, was enough to keep the police at bay, here comes this tarted up Pontiac to enforce by force. Sigh, guess we all need 500 hp now.
stephen987 says:
04:41 AM, 10/ 5/09
Not buying it--most municipalities and all state agencies in the U.S. are required to purchase their vehicles from among those generally available to the public.
xprojected says:
05:46 AM, 10/ 5/09
Just so you're aware, Chevrolet has been selling a Caprice almost exactly like this in the Middle East for a few years now, so it's not entirely new.
http://www.chevroletarabia.com/content_data/LAAM/ME/en/GBPME/001/G1/1C/1C_home.html
rsholland says:
06:01 AM, 10/ 5/09
What I find interesting is that a major auto company feels it's worth the investment in offering a government-specific and government-only model. Yeah, I know the Crown Vic hasn't been available to "consumers" for a couple of years, and has only recently been sold to police departments and other government agencies.
But this is different, in that GM is going out of their way to offer this new car, whereas Ford was really just winding down production of the ancient Crown Vic. In fact the car is going out of production shortly, if in fact it has not already stopped.
estreka says:
06:24 AM, 10/ 5/09
This offers hope of a commercially viable G8 replacement. *crosses fingers*
brn says:
07:20 AM, 10/ 5/09
stephen, I'm confused. Try going to your local Ford dealer and test driving a Crown Vic.
civicguy3 says:
10:09 AM, 10/ 5/09
What happens to these cars after they finish police duty. Would civilians be able to buy them?
civicguy3 says:
10:10 AM, 10/ 5/09
What happens to these cars after police duty? Would civilians be able to buy them?
brn says:
10:53 AM, 10/ 5/09
civicguy, typically yes.
eric808 says:
05:24 PM, 10/ 5/09
If this car really does hit the streets, Ford and Chrysler will definitely have a run for its money.
zoomzoomn says:
04:19 AM, 10/ 6/09
So, then why can they not build a real Impala SS for the general public?
roadburner says:
08:03 AM, 10/ 6/09
"So, then why can they not build a real Impala SS for the general public?"
It makes too much sense.
the_big_al says:
11:49 AM, 10/ 6/09
so... does this REALLY mean that we are going to get a "civilian" version of the G8?? I can't see producing a low volume niche vehicle being profitable even if that niche is the gov't. It really does make sense for GM to also produce one for sale to "us"... in all versions. From base model V6 to loaded up SS versions.
zoomzoomn says:
04:37 AM, 10/ 7/09
Bad news for Carbon Motors?
kingfish4 says:
06:17 AM, 10/10/09
Does this mean I can buy a Chevy hood and grille and play lawman and speed with impunity in my G8GT?