Ford Crown Victoria: characteristics and reviews. Ford Crown Victoria Ford Crown Victoria Police car Ford Crown Victoria

"Damage" with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Even those who have never seen a Ford Crown Victoria in person probably know it from Hollywood films: it appeared on screen thousands of times and took part in hundreds of chases - in a word, it has become familiar.

But for ordinary American police officers, the Crown Victoria has become a legend not for its high-profile film career, but for its reliability, convenience and professional suitability: the 4.6-liter V 8 engine (on versions of the P 71 Police Interceptor it produces about 250 hp) allows you to confidently drive pursuit, and the strong body on frame can push even a heavy truck off the road. In addition, police P 71 sedans differ from civilian ones in their reinforced suspension and brakes, since they are loaded with fairly heavy equipment and are operated almost all the time at full load. A mesh between the front and rear seats was easily built into the spacious body; up to four well-fed law enforcement violators could be pushed onto the passenger sofa.

At one time, only the poor design of the fuel tank, which could ignite in an accident, especially if there was an impact, caused complaints, but after a series of complaints the manufacturer began to install additional protection on the tanks.

Since last year, Crown Victorias have been actively replaced in American police departments by more modern cars, because the last P 71 rolled off the assembly line in 2011. Nevada State Police are one of the last to part ways with the legendary Fords, as reported by KSNV NBC Las Vegas. They are usually replaced by Ford Police Interceptor Utility sedans and crossovers, but they have not yet earned the cult status of the Crown Victoria P 71.

Check out our gallery. These are just some of the popular films in which the Ford Crown Victoria was featured. In total, his film roles number hundreds...

In Russia, many people know and remember the Ford Crown Victoria sedans: these cars once served in the traffic police, but in the USA there are many more of them and some examples are still on duty with the law! Alas, they don’t have long to drive with special signals.

In the spring, Ford introduced another police car called - it is based on a hybrid version of the Fusion model.
You can find out what the most formidable police officers on the planet drive from.

Photo : commons.wikimedia.org, picssr.com, imcdb.org

The Crown Victoria is a true American classic. You've probably seen it more than once in movies and TV series, because until recently it was used by the police and taxis. Reliable, easy to repair, versatile - this sedan has become a real hero of the USA. The full-size interior and spacious trunk are loved by many motorists. You can read more about the technical characteristics of the Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor, driver reviews and the history of the model in this article.

Model history

The American full-size sedan was produced from 1991 to 2011. But the real story for the Ford Crown began much earlier: in 1979. Then the LTD Crown Victoria model was born, which took its name from the model of the same name from the 50s, the distinctive feature of which was a roof with a transparent insert located above the front seats. The Crown Victoria had a similar roof structure, but instead of transparent inserts there was regular iron. You could recognize the Ford LTD CV by its chrome strip, which seemed to divide the car in two. It imitated the roll bar that can be seen on sports cars, although the Ford Crown Victoria Police has always been a classic sedan.

In 1983, the model gained independence and became known simply as Crown Victoria. Since this full-size sedan has become the best-selling model, it was decided to make a number of changes to it in order to improve technical characteristics. The old engine was replaced with a new one, with more power and volume. It can be said that thanks in part to the V8 engine, this sedan has become a legend in its class. In 1990, the model was modified in accordance with the latest safety requirements: airbags and seat belts for rear passengers were installed.

1992 can be considered the first independent “debut” of the Ford Crown Victoria, the name of which finally did not have the LTD prefix. The car body has become smoother and more streamlined. The old engine was replaced with a lighter one. The use of aluminum and a change in shape reduced the overall weight of the vehicle, improving aerodynamics and reducing fuel consumption. The Crown Victoria remains a full-size sedan, but has become much more convenient for ordinary people. Car sales increased. In the same 1992, a police model was also released, which had a high-power engine (250 hp). In such a car, law enforcement officers could drive at high speed for a long time without fear of engine overheating. In 1998, the second generation of Ford Crown Victoria was born, whose appearance was closer to the classic version.

In 2003, there was a massive update of the entire line, as a result of which the technical characteristics of the machine somewhat deteriorated. Upgrading the suspension led to engine failure more often, and Ford received many complaints regarding this fact. Further changes concerned mainly the electronic control unit: technology developed, and new systems were introduced into the Ford Crown. In 2008, sales of cars of this model to private individuals were completely stopped. The company left the production of models only for large customers. The last copy was released in 2009, after which the Ford Crown Victoria was closed due to obsolescence.

Specifications

The Ford Crown Victoria was the brainchild of all previous full-size sedans that Ford produced. This model has inherited all the best qualities from previous cars. The classic sedan has never been modest in size: its dimensions are 5.4 meters long and 2 meters wide. Now it would be difficult to park such a car in the city center. But this size also has a very big advantage: capacity. The back seat of the Ford Crown Victoria resembles a sofa on wheels: this is the reason these cars are still often used in taxi companies. Inside, passengers will find a comfortable and spacious interior made of light eco-leather. The sedan's trunk is also quite spacious: 580 liters.

Ford Crown specifications vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture. The 1988 model came in several variants: base and LX coupe. They had the same engines: an eight-cylinder engine with 150 hp. and 270 nM of torque could accelerate the car to 180 km/h. At that time, the car was produced only with a 4-speed manual transmission. In 1995, a car radio appeared on the sedan's dashboard, and passengers were able to enjoy music in the cabin. In 2003, the Ford Crown Victoria model received an updated engine with power reaching 220 horsepower. It’s worth telling about it in more detail.

Engine

Absolutely all models of the legendary sedan are equipped with a 4.6-liter engine. This simple and low-powered engine has 16 valves and an OHC valve mechanism. The distributed fuel injection completes the picture. The electronic ignition system allows you to maintain the proper power of the car in any driving mode. It is not for nothing that this type of engine has become so popular: reliable and durable, it has never caused significant problems to its owners. The sedan accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, but slows down a little longer. The large mass of the car (approximately 2 tons) does not allow the car to be stopped at the “first request”. But while driving, such a large mass does not cause any special problems: a powerful engine easily accelerates the car, giving it the necessary dynamism. In 2003, a new frame and front independent suspension were installed on the model. In this modification of the Ford Crown, the rigid rear axle is equipped with pneumatic shock absorbers.

Construction and design

The Ford Crown Victoria, or “Queen Victoria” as it is popularly called, has truly impressive dimensions. A large and roomy body with smooth contours has good aerodynamics and excellent spaciousness. The first models could accommodate six people. In subsequent editions of Victoria, the rear seat of the cabin was divided into two independent seats. It’s not for nothing that this sedan is called a “ship on wheels.” The independent front suspension hides all the bumps and hardships of the road so much that you simply stop feeling them. The year the Ford Crown LTD was first launched as a standalone vehicle, it was based on the mid-size Fox platform. Prior to this, the car was produced on the full-size Panther platform. The 1993 sedan model was similar in appearance to the popular Taurus at the time. Sharp corners have been smoothed out and the drag coefficient has been reduced. In 1998, the car was again modernized and released with a new grille and an updated rear end, in which metal panels were installed instead of vents. Now the design of the car was closer to the appearance of the Mercury Grand Marquis. The difference was the headlights of a different shape and new bumpers.

The design of the car played a special role in the popularity of the Ford Crown Victoria. There are few passenger cars that are produced with a real cargo frame. Due to its strength, the sedan has been called one of the safest cars more than once. Models produced since 2003 have had dual airbags that provide side impact protection. In cars produced for taxi fleets, the wheelbase was lengthened, giving passengers even more space in the rear. There was no need to “squeeze” into such a taxi: the wide rear doors made getting into the cabin easy and pleasant.

Lighting occupies a special place in the appearance of the Ford Crown Victoria. Original headlights with an additional section for lamps that turn on when turning, but shine sideways, are very helpful when performing maneuvers in the dark. In this regard, Ford was an innovator and was one of the first to install such headlights on its cars.

Modifications and releases

The Ford Crown Victoria sedan has a rather complicated history; it has been re-released and modified several times. Here are the main stages of the “transformation” of a full-size American-made car:

1955-1956, the first Crown Victoria appears, which marked the beginning of the production of popular sedans. Outwardly, it was completely different from the 1998-2011 model. It was a two-door car with a high seating position and a roof with a kind of “crown” - a shiny molding around the gutters. The car got its name in honor of this design detail.
The first independent model of the Ford LTD Crown Victoria was produced in 1983, which is considered the year of the sedan’s “birth”. The crown molding was soon abolished, but the name remained firmly attached to the model. The car of these years of production had rough “chopped” shapes.
In 1993, Ford released the first generation with a new design, which was taken from the Taurus. The reaction of buyers and the press was very mixed, so the car soon received a number of changes in appearance.
From 1995 to 1997 The interior has been completely redesigned: its design has become smoother and more rounded.
The second generation Crown Victoria was produced from 1998 to 2011. The final version had a more modern design, streamlined shapes and a stronger engine.
In 2011, the production of sedans was discontinued due to declining customer demand.

Ford Crown Victoria - the main police car

The Crown Victoria model was the main police car in the United States for 15 years. A modification was developed specifically for law enforcement service, combining comfort and power. This model is very different from the regular “civilian” version. with a volume of 3.5 liters had two versions: 263 hp. and the EcoBoost model with the ability to accelerate to 365 hp. The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was equipped with direct fuel injection and twin turbocharging. The police version was developed taking into account all risks and with increased requirements for passenger safety. The model's wheels were replaced with more durable parts from the Ford Explorer. The rear suspension received a Watt mechanism, which prevented loss of directional stability and the occurrence of skids on slippery or uneven roads. Disc brakes were complemented by an ABS anti-lock system. The option of a collision with other vehicles was also provided for: the fuel tank, which had caught fire quite often before, was insulated, and the body was made more durable. In such a car, even in a collision at a speed of 120 km/h, the driver and his passenger remained intact. In order to protect the police car from overheating, the cooling system was also changed, and the radiator grille was enlarged. The Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor is still the main police car in America. Today, there are about 350 thousand such cars on the roads of this country. In Russia you are unlikely to be able to buy a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, but in the US this car is often sold on the used car market.

Crown Victoria in movies and games

"Ford Victoria Crown" can be seen very often in American films and games. Partly thanks to its cinematic role, the car is still popular not only in the USA, but throughout the world. In Russia, the car is known largely thanks to the GTA game. The Ford Crown is used in it just like in reality, for several purposes: as a police car, as a taxi car and as a private vehicle. In the game, the car has a very realistic display: its parts are damaged, it casts a shadow, and all technical characteristics are transferred to virtual reality. While driving a Ford Crown Victoria for GTA San Andreas, you can feel as if you are in a real car: the low roar of the engine and smooth movements can even convey the unique atmosphere of this car even through the screen. With this car you can complete various missions: in a police car you will have to detain criminals, and in a taxi you will have to transport passengers around the city. Ford Crown Victoria in GTA SA was created specifically for lovers of American classics.

In American-made movies, you may also have noticed the legendary sedan more than once. Here is a small list of films in which “Queen Victoria” was filmed:

"Toughie";
"Police Academy";
"Chasing the Shadow";
"Cool Times";
"Men in Black";
"Godzilla";
"True Detective";
"The walking Dead";
"S.W.A.T." 2003 and 2011;
"Great scam."

Thanks to these pictures, the Ford Crown Victoria appears to us as a police classic, whose name is always associated with the capture of villains and the black, white and blue color scheme.

Ford Crown Victoria, 1998

Regular, basic Police Interceptor. Without Street&Appearance package, rear vinyl, AM/FM receiver with 5 presets (replaced by Alpine 9853). It works as a favorite toy - I don’t travel much, 5-6 thousand a year and strictly in the summer. As for the engine - if you give the gas to the floor, the sound is very discontinuous and long, because... the gears are long, I think 4.6 on a Kruzak and a 5-meter sedan - these are completely different, plus everyone has heard about its reliability. Such people calmly walk around in taxis for 850 thousand km. Why Panther? Full-size Ford/Mercury/Lincoln are more modern than Jimmy's B-body, more pleasant from a driver's point of view - the Caprice is too similar to the Tahoe. Rough car. The appearance of the “Panthers” is again more erotic. The Ford Crown Victoria has the three-window silhouette I love, with butterfly taillights. The competitor earned the apt nickname Rolling Potatoe. Better passive safety is relevant even at this size and weight. Fun fact: According to Edmunds, "the 02 Crown Victoria is no more problematic than the 02 Camry" - a rare recommendation for an American car. Why P71 Police Interceptor? The disadvantages of the police version are simple equipment, worse ride quality and noise insulation, addiction to the 89th Regular Plus - for us it’s the 95th. There are also plenty of advantages: reinforced frame, suspension, local body reinforcement, twice the number of body/frame supports. Possibility of installing a “push bumper”. Drives much better than a civilian one; this concerns not so much the acceleration dynamics (both go exactly 8 seconds to one hundred according to the passport). The police version of the Ford Crown Victoria is noticeably heavier than the civilian one, 20 extra forces and a shorter gearbox make it only a little faster, how much handling - the body and frame are stiffer, the “short” steering gear, and the rather rigid limited slip are very pleasing. As well as the opportunity to “press” something European on a winding path depending on the mood.

Advantages : appearance. Powerful. Heavy.

Flaws : No.

Vlad, Moscow

Ford Crown Victoria, 1999

I have always liked this car - after all, the American police drive a Ford Crown Victoria. And so I got behind the wheel of this ship - the dimensions are impressive, especially the width. You can easily ride with three people in front, the seats are designed for this. With my height of 193 cm, I calmly stretched out my legs, pressed the gas and swam. There is no other way to call this movement. The car floated along the road, sometimes swaying on the waves, excuse me, on the unevenness of the road. My companion sank into the chair, and I could calmly talk in a whisper if necessary. The engine noise is absolutely inaudible - excellent sound insulation does its job. I immediately remembered the old Rolls-Roys that I once borrowed from a friend for a ride. The new Ford Crown Victoria was almost as good. The huge trunk has room for several large suitcases. If you forgot the keys in the ignition and slammed the door, no problem. A combination lock on the door will help you open the door, and it is also convenient if, for example, you asked your children to fetch something from a locked car. It's a small thing, but nice. Engine capacity 4600 cc. cm is not so huge for the USA, if we remember that in the old days of the last century, cars in America had from 5 to 9 liters. I myself had a '78 Chrysler New Yorker with a 7.2 liter engine. The benefit of such an engine is simple - firstly, it has a chain timing drive, which does not require undue attention. Secondly, it is low-speed and equipped with hydraulic valve pushers - there is no need to adjust the clearance in the valve drive. With the right choice of oil, this engine will last almost forever.

Advantages : comfort. Smooth ride. Noise insulation. Reliability. Spacious salon.

Flaws : not noticed.

Arthur, Seattle

In almost every American film you can see a large sedan performing the functions of a police car or a taxi in a big city. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part it is the Ford Crown Victoria. Not very popular among private clients, it was incredibly popular among large taxi companies and government agencies. The reason for this was a fairly simple design, maintainability, as well as endurance and reliability.

The history of the model name, but not the car itself, began back in 1955. For two years, a special version of the Ford Fairlane model was produced, which was called the Crown Victoria. Externally, it was a two-door six-seater coupe. This special version had its own special modification with the long name Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria Skyliner, which featured a roof with a front segment made of transparent plexiglass. Production continued for two years before the car was dropped from Ford's lineup in 1956 and the Crown Victoria name was temporarily forgotten.

They decided to revive it already in 1980, but it did not gain independence. Now this was the name for the maximum configuration of the full-size Ford LTD sedan. The name replaced the Landau name, which did not reflect the essence of the vehicle at all - it always had a hard metal roof. A distinctive feature of the Ford LTD Crown Victoria was a wide chrome strip that rose along the rear door pillars from the level of the windows and divided the roof in two. It was intended to imitate the power structure of a Targa body, although, as already mentioned, the car was a classic sedan. A vinyl roof covering was offered as an option - finishing with a similar material could be ordered for other models of the concern, produced under the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

In 1983 the car finally gained independence. The Ford LTD was now built on the mid-size Fox platform, while the model on the previous full-size Panther platform was called the Ford LTD Crown Victoria. Despite the fact that the company's management hoped to increase sales of the smaller sedan, the Crown Victoria became the best-selling model. This was due to the fall in oil prices, as well as the return of fashion for classic American sedans. The success brought some technical changes to the car. The old 4.2-liter engine, inherited from the LTD, was discontinued and replaced by an updated 5-liter unit, part of the Windsor family. This engine was previously installed on the Crown Victoria, but now it has a CFI centralized injection system. The engine developed 210 horsepower versus 122 for the carburetor, but was distinguished by exceptionally low reliability - it happened that it stalled when the car was moving quickly or when making sharp maneuvers. The alternative was the carburetor V8 5.6, which developed 250 horsepower. It’s interesting that Ford’s flagship sedan did not succumb to fashion trends and did not acquire a monocoque body and a small engine, following many major competitors. The Crown Victoria remains a classic American sedan, built on a ladder frame and powered by a powerful V8 engine.

Also in 1983, production of the Ford Country Squire station wagon began, which was based on a similar platform and had common body parts with the Crown Victoria, but it never became popular.

In 1986, the unreliable injection system was replaced by a computer-controlled device. This intake system is called Sequential Fire. The number of problems has decreased significantly, but reports of stalled engines continued to be received from drivers. Some time later, the problem was solved once and for all - a special gasket was installed in the intake tract, which prevented dust, dirt and water from penetrating inside. A change was also made in the interior - the signal button was moved to the steering wheel hub from the left steering column lever. We did this at the numerous requests of customers who, out of habit, pressed on the hub without achieving any result. The car's suspension was built according to classical canons. At the rear there was a dependent beam, complemented by a transverse stabilizer, which improved the behavior of the Crown Victoria at high speed. At the front, double wishbones were used - this design was ideal for a large sedan both in terms of reliability and elastokinematic characteristics.

In 1988, the large sedan was scheduled to leave the market, as Ford planned to further develop the LTD line based on the Fox platform. However, growing demand forced the company's administration to decide on restyling. Changes compared to the 1980 model were minimal - a radiator grille with smaller cells, integrated bumpers, and different headlights. But many options, such as an automatic light control system, have now become standard equipment on the sedan. The small-scale coupe, which is now quite valuable to collectors, was excluded from the model range.

In 1990, sedans were modified to meet new safety requirements - they were now equipped with airbags for the driver, a telescopic steering column and seat belts for rear passengers. To support the fading demand for the Crown Victoria, electric windows were offered, but this part did not have a significant impact on demand. 1991 was the last year for the Ford LTD Crown Victoria. The sedans and station wagons of the final series differed in a minor detail - the front direction indicators used transparent caps and orange lamps, whereas previously white lamps and orange trim were used.

In 1992, the first real Ford Crown Victoria entered the market, which finally lost the LTD prefix. The body was carefully redesigned - it in no way resembled the angular outlines of its predecessor. In addition, Ford designers were given a rather difficult task - to make the Crown Victoria different from the Mercury Grand Marquis with which it shared the platform. It was completed completely - the cars only had identical doors and windshields, which was invisible even upon close inspection. The overall styling was borrowed from the recently successful Taurus. The car turned out to be round and somewhat heavy in appearance, but the drag coefficient decreased from 0.42 to 0.34.

The old Windsor series engines are a thing of the past - carburetor power units are no longer offered for the Ford Crown Victoria. Both engines were replaced by a 4.6-liter modular series V8 that developed 190 horsepower. Its low weight, combined with the use of an aluminum hood and a fundamentally new body layout, significantly reduced the overall weight of the vehicle, improving its dynamics and reducing fuel consumption. In addition, the Panther platform, which has retained its unchanged design, has been significantly modified. It received reinforced disc brakes with ABS on all four wheels, as well as other suspension and steering components. However, Ford was not going to give up the frame layout - this feature made the car ideal for the police and special services, where strength and endurance were valued above all, and also attracted the attention of a conservative American buyer.

Along with the base model, a police modification was also put into production, which was called the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI). It was distinguished by increased engine power to 250 horsepower, as well as the presence of a special oil cooler. This part made it possible to travel at high speeds for a long time without the risk of engine damage. In addition, wider tires, reinforced suspension and stronger brake pads were offered for law enforcement. The transmission received different control units, which involved shifting at higher speeds, and also contributed to an aggressive driving style. In the interior of the police patrol car, only one detail was used that distinguished it from the civilian version - in front, instead of a three-seater sofa, two separate chairs were installed, between which a walkie-talkie was installed.

An intermediate modification between the standard Ford Crown Victoria and CVPI was the Touring Sedan package. Thanks to a dual exhaust system, its engine power was increased to 210 horsepower. It used the reinforced suspension and brakes from the police version, and the electronic speed limiter was removed. In addition, adaptive steering was offered as an option for the maximum configuration, changing sensitivity depending on speed. The Touring Sedan offered a unique two-tone paint scheme, as well as leather upholstery and some custom styling elements. At the end of 1992, this modification was discontinued, after which it was replaced by the Handling and Performance package, devoid of some stylistic elements.

The first restyling was carried out already in 1993. Buyers weren't too keen on the grille-less front end borrowed from the Taurus, so designers had to put it back in its proper place. At the same time, reflectors appeared between the rear lights. In 1995, the Crown Victoria's appearance was again changed - the update included a different grille, front and rear lighting, and instrument panel. The rear license plate was moved from the bumper to the trunk lid due to a radical change in the rear of the car.

The 1996 update was purely technical. Options such as a passenger airbag, heated rear window, hidden audio antenna, tinted glass and several others are now standard. Now the car was equipped with a “custom-made” electronic stabilization system. 1995 also saw the introduction of a premium LX trim, which offered optional automatic climate control and a JBL digital audio system. In 1997, Ford engineers only modified the steering of the full-size sedan, increasing its stability and improving feedback.

In 1998, the second generation Ford Crown Victoria was introduced to the world community. In terms of design, it moved away from the original idea, since not everyone liked the comparison with the small Taurus sedan. Now the car was maximally unified with the Mercury Grand Marquis. The only differences were wider headlights, different taillights, and modified bumpers. In addition, this year the Crown Victoria for the first time received a large rectangular grille, which conservative customers so lacked. However, the interior remains almost unchanged compared to last year's model, with the exception of a different steering wheel.

The main technical innovation was the use of individual ignition coils for each spark plug - this made it possible to increase the reliability of the engine and increase its power by 5 horsepower. The rear suspension received a Watt mechanism, which made it possible to get rid of the loss of directional stability on large bumps. All cars received reinforced disc brakes with ABS, as well as 16-inch wheels. It is noteworthy that the police modification was equipped with more durable wheels from the Ford Explorer SUV.

In 1999, the car received three additional body paint types, and in 2000, a number of safety innovations, including a seat belt warning system and child seat anchors. In 2001, the engine received another 5 additional horsepower, and an adjustable pedal unit appeared in the cabin. By 2002, cars were already equipped with heated rear-view mirrors and improved fabric upholstery.

In 2003, a large-scale technical update took place. All cars, with the exception of the police modification, were now equipped with a 239 horsepower engine with a dual exhaust system. The suspension characteristics have been completely changed thanks to the replacement of outdated twin-tube shock absorbers with modern mono-tube shock absorbers, as well as the placement of the rear shock absorbers outside the frame. Unfortunately, the suspension upgrade did more than just improve the car's road performance. Now the engine crankcase was no longer so well protected from damage, and Ford received many complaints related to the need to replace the engine after a mileage of 1000 kilometers - the cause was an oil leak. Interestingly, the breakdowns were considered the consequences of a collision and were not covered by the company warranty. However, the most important innovation was the installation of a rack and pinion steering mechanism, which replaced the “screw-ball nut” design, which required a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel. The steering knuckles became aluminum, and the mounting points for the rear shock absorbers moved to the sides, which had a positive effect on the car's handling. The gearbox received a “Kick-down” function, providing rapid acceleration when the gas pedal is sharply pressed. Side airbags located in the seats have become available in the cabin.

2004 brought only minor changes - in particular, a new torque converter was installed to improve dynamic parameters. In addition, as an option, the cars were equipped with laminated side windows that were resistant to damage and heat. In 2005, the last cars with an external antenna were produced, after which it was completely moved to the rear window heating system. In addition, these cars were equipped with the latest analog odometers from Ford. A 6-disc CD changer was now available as an option. In addition, all cars received a new steering wheel, and police interceptors boasted steel lower steering knuckles, which appeared on them in May 2005.

The next significant update was carried out in 2006. The cars were now equipped with a new dashboard with a modern speedometer and tachometer - a first for the Ford Crown Victoria model. In addition, luxury modifications received an on-board computer, and a factory alarm began to be offered as an option. Technical changes affected the transmission oil cooler, which was now integrated into the evaporator of the air conditioning system. The last major update awaited the car in 2007 - now all modifications have a basic audio system with a CD player and a keyless entry system.

Beginning in 2008, sales of the Ford Crown Victoria to private customers were completely discontinued. Demand for the full-size sedan has hit a breaking point with the introduction of Ford's new flagship Five Hundred model. However, it was irrational to discontinue such a reliable model, since it was purchased by corporate fleets and government agencies. Therefore, until 2011, cars were produced in modifications for the police and taxi services. Ford promised to invest $200 million in updating the car and re-equipping the factories involved in its production, but this was not done. During the last four years of production, the Crown Victoria model underwent only minor changes and was removed from the production line due to complete obsolescence. The last copy, manufactured in 2011, was exported to Saudi Arabia.

From a technical point of view, the car was “the last of the Mohicans.” Already in the early 2000s, large American sedans began to lose their positions - for example, the classic Chevrolet Caprice was discontinued back in 1996. It’s not worth talking about frame cars - now such a layout can only be seen in SUVs and trucks, but not in cars.

Despite the fact that the car was never particularly popular among private clients, it was remembered by Americans for a long time and entered American popular culture. You can see the Ford Crown Victoria in every movie of the era of the 90s and early 2000s. In addition, you only need to come to New York to see that the majority of its taxi fleet is made up of these well-deserved full-size sedans. You can also find them in those police stations that were not affected by the re-equipment and did not receive brand new Dodges. Therefore, for the United States, the Ford Crown Victoria has become a real symbol of the era and will never be forgotten.

It is interesting that the cars were quite actively used by the Moscow traffic police. About 600 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptors were purchased between 1993 and 1995. They entered service in the traffic police, as well as in the teaching staff. The PPS employees did not like the car too much - it was not very maneuverable, and also required good driving skills to drive through the narrow streets of the metropolis. Therefore, all the cars gradually went into service with the traffic police. Unfortunately, here too, cars suffered greatly due to the lack of habit among drivers of heavy vehicles. Most of them were involved in serious accidents, as a result of which the Ford interceptors were written off as beyond repair. However, about 20–30 copies have survived to this day, some of which are still used by various structures of internal organs.

There is also evidence of used Crown Victorias arriving in Moscow, which initially had the livery adopted by US law enforcement. According to information received from various sources, a total of 50–140 such cars were purchased. Unfortunately, they have survived only in single copies. The equipment previously used by American police officers was already quite worn out and quickly exhausted its remaining service life.

To conclude the story, we bring to your attention a couple of videos about the Ford Crown Victoria in Russian:

Ford Crown Victoria is a car that belongs to this type of model, which is called full-size or otherwise “full-size” in the USA. These are usually frame cars with a large trunk and a spacious interior. Well, the Ford Crown Victoria is one of those cars. And it’s worth talking about it in more detail.

The beginning of the story

So, this model began to be published in 1979, but then it had a different name. Previously it was called LTD Crown Victoria. This abbreviation was inserted into the name in honor of the most expensive car produced by Ford for 15 years (from 1965 to 1979). But then the car acquired its modern name. Ford Crown Victoria was named because in the 55-56s there was a very popular modification with a roof section located above the front seats. It was made of a special material, darkened Plexigyl. By the way, it looked very unusual, since the color was original, similar to bottle glass. This is how the name of the new car “Ford” appeared.

Model features

So, first of all, I would like to say a few words about the technical characteristics of the Ford Crown Victoria. Well, the 1991 model was recognizable, firstly, because of its aerodynamic, seemingly “sleek” body, and rather impressive dimensions. After all, it is more than five meters long and almost two meters wide. Indeed, solid indicators. It is also worth noting the rather large trunk volume - 580 liters.

A few years before the start of production, another car was produced. Then the model was six-seater. Both front and rear could accommodate three people. But in the 90s, manufacturers decided to get rid of the legendary American front sofas and replaced them with two armchairs with armrests. If you fold them, you get three seats. But we must admit that only a child will feel comfortable in them. And it’s better to sit together in the back row. The sofa itself is designed for two, and in the middle of it is a fairly large transmission tunnel.

Motor

Ford Crown Victoria is a car that is the owner of the “Ford eight”. Its volume is as much as 4.6 liters! About 200 km/h maximum speed, acceleration to hundreds in 10 seconds, distributed fuel injection, electronic ignition system, without a distributor. The suspension has what can be said to be a classic design. At the front there are double wishbones and an anti-roll bar. Springs are also located there. And at the back there is a continuous beam of the bridge, equipped with reaction rods, which are also on springs.

It must be said that every year the model was improved both technically and aesthetically. Therefore, it is worth talking about how this model has changed.

Improvement process

The model has undergone various changes. For example, lighting technology has been transformed: its manufacturers have placed it in an additional section, which is located in a block with a turn signal. It turns out that the lamp shines to the side at the same time as the main light. This makes it easy to maneuver at night. Such headlights began to appear on European models only recently. They can be seen, for example, on Audi (A8).

Over time, the design has also changed. The false radiator grille has also become better, as well as the rear pillars. And in 2002, a new model appeared, more convenient, comfortable and roomy. In addition, it has become more powerful. The manufacturers themselves claimed that they created the car for the taxi business. The new products are distinguished by an extended wheelbase, a spacious interior, large windows and doors. The engines have become more powerful - 215 hp, V8, and acceleration has become faster. In addition, the base model included the following updates: ABS, airbags (and not ordinary ones, but air and double ones), CD player, air conditioning and electronic stabilization system. In general, everything you might need.

Police sample

So, it is worth noting that the Ford LTD Crown Victoria is not only for ordinary citizens. The concern also produced cars for police officers. That's how they became known - Ford Crown Victoria Police. This is really a different, non-civilian car, even the driving sensations are different. The difference is colossal; the only thing that can be distinguished from the general one is the appearance. And then later versions (after the mid-2000s) began to stand out from the rest in appearance. The Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor is a car that fits perfectly into any, even the sharpest turns, accelerates quickly and does not like to slow down. Besides, expensive tests (whatever they may be) for this car are nonsense. He is able to overcome any obstacles.

Technical characteristics of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

What can you say about this car? That he is powerful, fast, daring - in a word, a police interceptor. This is the most popular car used by law enforcement agencies in America and Canada as a standard vehicle. It is also worth noting the reliable and robust nature of this vehicle. Needless to say, V8! By the way, this car also has an external coolant heat exchanger, due to which the car operates even at idle for a long time without overheating. In addition, manufacturers installed an additional radiator on both the power steering and automatic transmission. In addition, all versions of the “police model” have a reinforced frame and strong body mounts. Not to be missed is the aluminum driveshaft and optional limited-slip rear differential.

Overall, this car is fast and powerful. And ordinary citizens in Russia love to buy it, since its technical and operational characteristics are above all praise, even if it is a model from the 90s. This model really deserves the attention of any driver.