Caprice ranks fastest 2011 police car tests

The team behind General Motors Co.'s new police car is pleased with preliminary test results showing the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle is fastest among 2011 models. The Caprice, which returns to the police market after 15 years, was up against its competitors in annual testing by the Michigan State Police Precision Driving Unit. The results serve as a buyer's guide for police organizations for fleet purchases.

Testing began Saturday, September 18 and wrapped up Monday, September 20, attracting as many as 500 people each day as the cars went through their paces. The results are preliminary; final evaluations are expected to be released in November.

The Caprice notched the fastest 0-to-60 miles-per-hour time, as well as 0-to-100 mph and had the top speed at 148 mph. "We have the fastest car, best brakes, largest interior and most comfort," said Dana Hammer, Chevrolet manager of law enforcement vehicles. "Our goal was to be the leader."

One of the Caprice’s competitors, which also has a V-8 engine, came in second in many of the performance categories. No one from that group was available for comment Tuesday. Another competitor brought prototypes of its 2012 model Interceptors with a turbocharged V-6 as the top engine. "I'm tickled to death to see all of the manufacturers back into police cars in a big way after a period of stagnation," said Jerry Newberry, fleet manager for the Texas Dept. of Public Safety which buys about 1,000 vehicles annually.

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Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle Out to Arrest Competition This Weekend

Chevrolet’s all-new Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) takes on the competition at the 2011 Police Vehicle Evaluation Program this weekend in Lansing, where the Michigan State Police Precision Driving Unit will run the vehicles through top speed, acceleration, braking, high-speed handling and other tests.

Hitting the streets next spring, the Caprice joins the front-wheel drive Impala PPV and Tahoe PPV, making Chevrolet the only manufacturer to offer a full range of police vehicles.

The full-size rear-wheel drive Caprice PPV delivers the performance, comfort and safety that today’s police departments need to help keep America's streets safe. The Caprice’s 6.0-liter V-8 is rated at an estimated 355 horsepower (265 kW) with 384 lb-ft of torque (521 Nm). It is also backed by a six-speed automatic transmission, which is performance-calibrated for police duty, and can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds.

A unique Performance Algorithm Liftfoot (PAL) calibration, within Sport shift mode, allows the transmission to “understand” the driving conditions and select the appropriate gear - even through tight turns - and provides the required engine torque.

With unmatched interior space and sculpted front seats to “pocket” an officer’s equipment belt, the Caprice PPV allows officers to do their jobs effectively with maximum comfort.

To help avoid crashes and prevent injuries, the Caprice PPV includes standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control with a special police calibration for aggressive driving maneuvers, and front seat-only head curtain air bags that enables the use of a full-width prisoner partition for greater officer safety.

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2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV Detective Package Details Uncovered

A new generation of police cruisers is afoot. We've seen General Motors open the floodgates with a full raft of images of its Caprice PPV. Chevrolet has taken a traditional approach, fitting the Caprice with a 6.0-liter V8 cranking out 355 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

We already knew what to expect for the standard police-spec Caprice, but we've been extra curious about the special “Detective package” that adds some plainclothes stealthiness to the Caprice, especially as it seems to hint at what the oft-rumored civilian version of this car might look like. It's available in seven different colors, uses all the same mechanical underpinnings as the standard Police PPV, and for the moment at least, remains unavailable in a retail model.

Phillips Chevrolet has Illinois' Largest Chevy Inventory! We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are one of the Largest Chevy Dealers in the United States. Visit us at www.phillipschevy.com. View our specials!