No Police Package 2011 G8, But One Heck of a Sweet Caprice PPV
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This weekend I reported on the new 2011 police cruiser, which were scheduled to be announced earlier yesterday. There was speculation these new cruisers might be based from the now extinct Holden Pontiac G8 platform, but we learned differently. While the new cruisers are not exactly G8’s, they aren’t a Ford Crown Victoria either. The old 4.6 liter of the Victoria has nothing on the new GM Caprice PPV. Yes, you heard right, Chevy is bringing back the Caprice, and there is a bit of a surprise behind its platform.
No, the Caprice is not quite a Pontiac G8, but its platform does come from Holden… the Holden G8 GT Sport Truck (a.k.a, El Camino). You probably haven’t heard that name mentioned for quite some, but Chevrolet looks like they have found the perfect blend of durability and performance. While the Pontiac G8 has a wheel base of 114.7 inches, the Dodge Charger police cruiser 120 inches, the new Caprice PPV fits snugly between the two at a comfortable 118.5 inches.
What this number will mean to law enforcement, is a solid and roomy sedan, which will not only be able to handle itself well, stop on a dime, and snap a speedo in less than 6-seconds, it will have an updated outward appearance which will look great out front of your local Dunkin Donights. Okay, I was kidding on that last part.
Comparison: The Old vs. The New
The old 2003 Ford Crown Victoria was lucky to snap a speedo in less than 9-seconds with its 235 horsepower V-8 interceptor, weighing in at over 4,000 lbs. The Dodge Charger is a good bit better with its 5.7-liter, 340 horsepower, HEMI V-8, but it still is a big cruiser weighing over 4,100 lbs. 0-60 in less than 7-seconds is undoubtedly a welcome treat for most cops, who enthusiastically refer to them as, “hot rods.”
The 6.0 liter LS2 GM Caprice, however, outdoes them all with its 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. With a slightly lighter overall stance than the Charger, the new Caprice is calculated to clear 60 mph in under 6-seconds, which blows the doors off the old Victoria, and will make a noticeable pull on the Dodge. There will be an undercover option available too, which has most automotive journalists asking, “how?”
With a vehicle that won’t be made for civilians, picking these out of rush hour traffic will be like spotting an elephant in a doll house, but then again, for some folks, that will be a good thing!
Check it out for yourself:
