Zeta-based Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle [Live image update]
12/02/2009, 2:56 PM
By Drew Johnson
Chevrolet quietly released its new police-spec Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) to the media today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Although shown earlier this year at a police chiefs conference, the LA show marks the first public outing of the new Holden Commodore/Pontiac G8-based Caprice PPV.
The new cruiser is set to arrive in police fleets across the country in early 2011. Like the outgoing Pontiac G8 on which it is mostly based, the police spec-Caprice will be available with V8 and V6 engines, although the six-cylinder version won’t become available until 2012.
When equipped with the optional 355 horsepower 6.0-liter V8, GM says the Caprice PPV can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds, making it the fastest police vehicle currently in service. GM also says the V8-powered sedan will have the highest top speed of any police spec vehicle. Active Fuel Management and E85 capability should ensure decent fuel economy.
But police duty is more than just about running down the bad guys, which is why GM has equipped the Caprice PPV with a number of other unique features. The Caprice PPV package also includes a high-output alternator, engine oil, transmission and power steering coolers, 18-inch steel wheels, heavy duty brakes, and upgraded suspension, a revised stability control program and a driver information center mounted in the gauge cluster.
Inside, the Caprice PPV offers seating for five, with greater rear-seat leg room than the Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser. The five-seat design also allows for an optional center-mounted touch-screen computer. Two trunk-mounted batteries ensure the Caprice will never run low on juice.
Chevrolet tells us that the rear seat will come covered in heavy duty vinyl but will be otherwise similar to what is found on the G8 for safety compliance reasons. Buyers can replace the rear seat with a hard plastic police-spec setup at their discretion.
“The new Chevrolet Caprice police car is the right tool at the right time for law enforcement,” said Jim Campbell, general manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “We asked for a lot of feedback from our police customers, which helped us develop a vehicle that is superior to the Crown Victoria in key areas.”
An undercover street appearance package will also be available for the Caprice, although it will not be available to the general public.
The U.S. police Caprice is very similar to the civilian Chevrolet Caprice sold by General Motors in the Middle East, as well as the Holden. Slightly longer than the Commodore/G8, the Caprice police car will be built in Australia beginning next year.
12/02, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Dangerous1
It’s nice we’re finally getting a Holden Statesman imported here, even if it’s a police car. WIll they be selling these in a few years time to the general public at a police auction as used cars?
12/02, 3:03 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
That event and unveiling was almost 2 mos ago here. Must be a slow LLN day
12/02, 3:13 PM
posted by:
americanrealist
Okay its going to be available to police departments only but yet they are going to have an “undercover package” again for police use only, hmmm… a little obvious wouldn’t ya say. But still would make one badass Chevelle.
12/02, 3:13 PM
posted by:
MurcieMe
It sure isn’t a looker – not nearly as attractive as the G8
12/02, 3:14 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I was gonna say… I remember DenverGuy saying he’d go watch this.
Looks like a cross between the current Impala and the last generation Caprice. And it probably did 2 months ago as well.
12/02, 3:14 PM
posted by:
save saab
I hope so.
12/02, 3:22 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Someone explain to me why the great minds at GM decided not to replace the Impala with this?
12/02, 3:23 PM
posted by:
0-60
I want to see it without the stikers on it.
12/02, 3:32 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Yeh Johnny. It looked a bit old/tired in person. Almost like it was from a previous model year. Or maybe I just got used to the sportiness of the (RIP) G8
12/02, 3:32 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Johnny – I’d say it looks like a last gen Malibu and current Impala were tossed like Oprah’s salad and this is what it came out.
12/02, 4:11 PM
posted by:
vicdub85
F the police. I hope the wheels fall off as it chases me down Highway 1 in my Vette.
12/02, 4:12 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
Good thing it has more rear seat legroom than the crown vic. We wouldn’t want the perps to gete too cramped!
12/02, 4:44 PM
posted by:
cory
iraq has had a version of this car for over a year.
12/02, 4:55 PM
posted by:
F50
Not only iraq, but the whole Middle East and South Africa.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/news/car/09q4/2011_chevrolet_caprice_ppv-car_news/gallery/2009_chevrolet_caprice_28middle_eastern_model_29_photo_3/2910791-1-eng-US/2009_chevrolet_caprice_middle_east_3_cd_gallery.jpg
They also have a Chevy badged G8, not the retarded Cruze/Malibu grill but the older grill. Great car. That Chevy badged G8(Lumina) should be the Impala while this becomes the Caprice. would be great for GM.
12/02, 5:25 PM
posted by:
AFSOCSARGE
This should replace the Impala ASAP!
-Sarge
12/02, 6:03 PM
posted by:
Borat
Deviants of the road rejoice! Your ticket will be written by the guy driving fairly average looking car, not a beautiful G8. Who said there is no justice under the sun?
12/02, 6:14 PM
posted by:
bghewy
To see this car without the stickers visit the Holden website at http://www.holden.com.au and look for the Holden Statesman and Carprice.
12/02, 6:40 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
Yeah well we have be chased down my these dam holdens for years….so now its your turn america….hahah…sorry…just teasin…
just think when the coppers are finished with them you can have a decent v8 holden to spec up after they go up for auction….
GO THE V8 !!!!!!!!
12/02, 6:48 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
dangerous1, please be kidding that you’d be interested in buying a used cop car…it may sound like a fun idea, but i don’t think you’re going to like the condition one of these will be in when the cops are done with it…
12/02, 7:52 PM
posted by:
wideopenthrottle
Goddammit, why do they keep releasing newer, badder-ass cop cars? (Charger and soon to be Carbon Motors)
Guess I’ve got another car to watch out for now….
12/02, 9:19 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
Denver, this car was shown two months ago, but also made an appearance today. Raineman, you know this only replaces the FWD! Interceptor version of the Impala? Right?
-iluvamcars
12/03, 3:22 AM
posted by:
Autopilot
I seriously wish every police department across the country used Chevy Aveo Hatchbacks. Can somebody please explain to me why we don’t get the Holden Commodore, Calais, Sportwagon, Statesman, and/or the Caprice here in the US? Those are some of the best vehicles that any GM subsidiary has to offer anywhere, yet the the country that is home to GM, that bailed out GM, doesn’t get them. And why the hell does China get some of the best Buick’s? Look at how well the 300 and Charger and the CTS have done. And the G8 was nice while it lasted. Why do GM and Ford absolutely refuse to sell RWD sedans here? Not everybody wants an SUV or a “crossover”, whatever the hell those are. Sadly, part of the answer is that they know that we’re forever willing to bend over and settle for whatever they want to give us. Could you imagine if BMW or MB or Audi didn’t sell BMW’s or MB’s or Audi’s in Germany? GM, Ford, tear down this wall.
12/03, 1:20 PM
posted by:
nickkop
cool its coming… sux for speeders…so in that respect it pisses me off… and the rear end looks super dated.old.lame.bland…. but that is surely on purpose so the car doesn’t stand out in the undercover applications
12/03, 1:23 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
This is one nice cruiser. Wouldn’t mind taking one on a spin around Dallas. But in all seriousness, the pigs don’t need anything this nice. This will just be an excuse for them to get overtime.
12/03, 3:41 PM
posted by:
tony59
GM has driven this model into the ground, I’ve had enough of these posers. They already have a viable replacement in the Chev Lumina which has a sexy body afixed to a Pontiac G8 chassis and drivetrain.
Goto: Drive.Arabia.com and seach on 2007 Chevrolet Lumina. YES, THATS RIGHT, 2007!!! GET IT RIGHT!
12/03, 4:59 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
Wow… great. And up yours GM for not offering a Caprice/whatever to your buying public. I am so disgusted with the recent Impala/Malibu commercials that get so much airtime. How difficult is it to build a sedan like those that meets all the fuel economy requirements and is rear wheel drive?
Good one for them giving a very serviceable rwd V8 cruiser to law enforcement when people have been asking for a decent rwd sedan for years now.
12/04, 8:55 PM
posted by:
chevymanc6
They should have had them be modified G8’s and sold them to Police as Pontiac G8’s. That would help keep Pontiac alive and they could be built along side the civilian G8. Its good that GM is making police cars again though. It should help push them back into making profits soon.
12/05, 1:51 PM
posted by:
LS7
How the hell is the undercover version going to work when there are no civilian versions of this car? And you thought unmarked Crown Vics were easy to spot?
The reason why current undercover Impalas work so well is because of the sheer volume of them used as company fleet vehicles. Blends right in. Nobody actually buys Crown Vics as a regular vehicle except for dying grandpas.