Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle Returns for 2011 Duty
Chevrolet will reintroduce the Caprice as a purpose-built Police Patrol Vehicle in early 2011, offering a rear-drive V8 saloon designed specifically for law enforcement.
Chevrolet will deploy the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) to North American law enforcement fleets in early 2011, marking the return of the Caprice nameplate in a form designed exclusively for police duty. The new Caprice PPV is a full-size, rear-wheel drive saloon, developed with direct input from police agencies and built on General Motors’ global rear-drive architecture.
Unlike the Impala and Tahoe, the Caprice PPV is not adapted from a civilian model currently sold in North America. General Motors has instead engineered the car for police work from the outset, using a long wheelbase and a platform shared with the Chevrolet Camaro and Holden models. The 118.5-inch (3,010mm) wheelbase is the longest in GM’s global rear-drive line-up, giving the Caprice a spacious cabin and a large boot.
Engine options and performance
At launch, the Caprice PPV will be powered by a 6.0-litre V8 with Active Fuel Management and E85 flex-fuel capability. Chevrolet expects this engine to deliver best-in-class acceleration, with a 0-60mph time under six seconds. The V8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265kW). A V6 engine will be added for the 2012 model year, broadening the range for police departments with different requirements.
The Caprice’s rear-wheel drive layout and independent suspension are intended to provide the handling and performance needed for pursuit and emergency response, competing directly with other police-specific vehicles such as the Ford Crown Victoria and the Dodge Charger Pursuit. For a look at Dodge’s rival, see Dodge Unveils 2011 Charger Pursuit for Police Fleets.
Police-focused features and interior
Chevrolet’s Caprice PPV incorporates features developed specifically for police work. The front seats are shaped and padded to accommodate officers’ equipment belts, improving comfort and ease of entry and exit. The seat materials are chosen for durability, breathability and ease of cleaning, addressing the high-wear demands of patrol use. Officers’ feedback during development influenced the final design, with prototype seats tested in the field before production.
- Optional front-seat-only side curtain airbags, allowing a full-width rear-seat barrier for officer safety
- Two trunk-mounted batteries, with one dedicated to police equipment
- Five-passenger seating with a dashboard designed for equipment mounting
- Compatibility with in-dash touch-screen computer systems
The Caprice PPV’s interior volume stands at 112 cubic feet (3,172 litres), offering nearly four inches more rear legroom than the Crown Victoria. The barrier between front and rear seats is positioned further back, giving officers greater seat travel and recline. Boot space is quoted at 18 cubic feet (535 litres) after accounting for the battery installation, with room for a full-size spare under a flat load surface.
Market impact and availability
Chevrolet announced the Caprice PPV at the International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Denver in October 2009. Ordering opens in 2010, with deliveries set for early 2011. The Caprice joins the Impala and Tahoe in Chevrolet’s law enforcement line-up, giving agencies a broader choice of vehicles tailored for specific operational needs.
The introduction of the Caprice PPV signals renewed competition among manufacturers for police fleet contracts. With the Ford Crown Victoria’s production ending, Chevrolet and Dodge are positioning their rear-drive saloons as the next generation of patrol vehicles.
