Ford Crown Victoria is a presentable American car. Cop in white: experience of owning a Ford Crown Victoria Ford Crown Victoria police
Production of the first generation Ford Crown Victoria, which replaced the model, began at a plant in Canada in 1991. It was a classic American full-size sedan: frame design, huge dimensions (body length 5.4 meters), rear-wheel drive, V8 engine.
The Crown Victoria was based on a modernized platform of its predecessor - with improved suspensions, disc brakes on all wheels and ABS. Under the hood was a 4.6-liter eight-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The model's closest competitor in the American market was the sedan, and the car was also exported to some countries in the Middle East.
Production of the first generation cars ended in 1997.
2nd generation, 1997–2011
The second generation sedan debuted at the end of 1997. The Ford Crown Victoria has changed in appearance, but its design remains the same; both the 4.6-liter V8 engine and the four-speed automatic transmission remain in place. A similar model was also produced under the brand name.
In the 2000s, the demand for the model was low, and in 2007 the Crown Victoria was no longer offered to private clients of dealerships. The production of cars for corporate customers continued; the model, for example, was very often used as a police car and taxi.
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 telling 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’s worth noting that the Ford LTD Crown Victoria is not just 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, and only the appearance can be distinguished from the general one. 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 mention 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.
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 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, 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 my favorite three-window silhouette, 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 took 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 your 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 one of these '78 Chrysler New Yorkers with the 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
Ford Crown Victoria
First generation, car produced in 1992
Car produced in 1993-94
Car manufactured 1995-1997
Second generation, produced from 1998 to 2011
Ford Crown Victoria (Russian: “Ford Crown Victoria”, “Crown Vic”)- American six-seat full-size rear-wheel drive sedan with a frame chassis, produced over the years at the St. Thomas Assembly in Talbotville, Ontario, Canada.
Ford Crown Victoria and built on the same platform "Panther" The Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car were the last of the traditional American full-size sedans, which flourished in the sixties and first half of the seventies of the 20th century. The rest of the North American full-size cars these days, although formally considered to be in the same class as the Panther platform models, are actually significantly inferior to them in external dimensions and are very different from them structurally; in particular, until recently, almost all of them had front-wheel drive, most are equipped with six-cylinder engines, and none of them have a frame separate from the body.
In the 2005 model year, Ford decided to gradually replace the outdated Crown Victoria with a modern front-wheel drive Ford Five Hundred (Ford 500), which is formally considered full-size and has approximately the same interior volume with significantly more compact external dimensions. However, the new model sold poorly: for example, in January 2007, 5,424 Crown Victorias were sold, but only 3,526 of the 500 model. Therefore, as of the 2008 model year, it was renamed the Ford Taurus, as its technical predecessors were called, and, while continuing to be considered a full-size, stood a step lower than the Crown Victoria.
Since the 2008 model year in the United States, due to significantly decreased sales, the Crown Victoria has ceased to be supplied to regular Ford dealerships that sell cars to “civilian” buyers. At the same time, sales of better equipped, but technically similar models offered under the Mercury and Lincoln brands remained at a fairly high level for their class.
In addition, vehicles of this model equip the fleets of a significant part of American taxi companies; however, in previous years up to 95% of sales came from them.
Police Interceptor in a characteristic color, with “fangs” on the bumper (Push Bumper) and “police” wheels with chrome caps.
Thanks to a body-on-frame design no longer used by other manufacturers, which makes the vehicle more durable and easier to repair after serious collisions, structural strength, size and excellent safety, the Ford Crown Victoria is very popular with police departments in the United States and Canada. The model for the police has a reinforced design, an engine boosted at the cost of some reduction in efficiency and environmental performance, a number of external differences and an independent designation - Ford Police Interceptor.
In addition, the model was until recently sold in the Middle East (mainly Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), where American-made full-size sedans are traditionally very popular.
The last car of this model was released on September 14, 2011. The Tolbettville plant that produced this model was closed.
Name
Original 1955 Ford Crown Victoria.
The Ford Crown Victoria owes its name to the trim option that was briefly offered in the mid-fifties (in both model years). (trim line) two-door Ford cars, also designated Crown Victoria and was distinguished by a slightly lowered roof with a “crown” - a wide shiny molding around the gutters, as well as a massive chrome trim on the B-pillar that encircles the roof.
The first independent model with this name - the 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria - had a similar roof design with a molding surrounding it.
Subsequently, this design was abolished, but the name stuck and is still used in the designation of the model.
Design
Ford Crown Victoria
Total information
Characteristics
Mass-dimensional
On the market
The Ford Crown Victoria was designed to build on decades of experience developing and mass-producing traditional American full-size cars. He is the heir to twelve post-war generations of Ford cars of this class.
The main strength of the vehicle is a supporting frame of a peripheral type with an increased distance between the side members in the middle part. It is located under the body along almost its entire length; the body is attached to it at sixteen points using bolts through thick rubber gaskets, which reduce the level of vibrations in the cabin. Suspension and steering units, an engine and a gearbox are attached to the frame. Since 2003, the manufacturing technology of the frame has been changed, which began to be made by stamping with elastic media (“hydroforming”), which made it possible to reduce weight and increase strength.
The engine of all Crown Victorias is a V-shaped eight with a displacement of 4.6 liters (4601 cm³, 280 cubic inches). This is a relatively simple and low-powered power unit with 16 valves (2 per cylinder), an OHC valve mechanism (one camshaft in each cylinder head) and distributed fuel injection. Early modifications developed 193 hp; the one used today has, according to the manufacturer, a power of 220 hp. The police modification develops 250 hp.
The engine is quite sensitive to the quality of the oil and the frequency of its replacement, but with regular maintenance it is very durable. The manufacturer recommends using “Regular” fuel with an octane number of 87; in Russia, AI-92 fuel best corresponds to it. Its consumption is approximately comparable to European models with engines of similar displacement, with the exception that the latter usually use fuel with an octane rating of at least 95. In 2003, a knock sensor was added to the fuel equipment control system.
The choice of transmissions is represented by a single option - the Ford AODE (Automatic-OverDrive-Electronics) automatic transmission, four-speed with an overdrive fourth gear (overdrive) and electronic control. This box was developed in the late seventies based on a set of gears from an even earlier three-speed Ford FMX transmission (in production since 1968), which did not have an overdrive gear. Like the engine, the gearbox is characterized by high survivability and durability with timely maintenance. The operating mode selector is located on the steering column, as on most American cars produced before the nineties.
The suspension is a classic combination of an independent front suspension with double transverse A-arms and coil springs, which has anti-dive geometry, and a dependent spring rear suspension. Since 1998, the rear four-link suspension has been redesigned and received a Watt mechanism. Since 2003, the rear suspension has been modernized again, receiving vertically mounted mono-tube shock absorbers instead of the previous double-tube ones with mountings on the inside of the frame. The front suspension was also revised this year, featuring aluminum lower control arms.
Disc brakes on all wheels and a powerful vacuum booster are offered as standard equipment. ABS and traction control are available as options.
Until 2003, the steering was a deeply conservative “screw-ball nut” type unit with a built-in hydraulic booster (like on the ZIL-130 truck). Since 2003, a more precise rack and pinion steering mechanism with progressive hydraulic booster has been introduced.
The car's interior is decorated in a traditional American style - it has two solid sofas (the front one consists of two independently adjustable halves; separate front seats are available as an option) with armrests designed to seat up to six people, a flat instrument panel without a process in the middle (“beard”).
Even in the basic configuration, the car has a fairly large set of additional equipment, including electric windows on all doors, air conditioning, tinted windows, remote control of the trunk lid and gas tank flap, electrically adjustable driver's seat, audio system with four speakers, and so on.
First generation (1992-97)
1992-94
By the fall of the 1991 calendar year 1992, which began in the fall of 1991, a full-size car was created on the basis of the frame of the previously produced Ford LTD Crown Victoria model with a completely new body, stylistically based on the successful mid-size Ford Taurus model, with a rounded shape that was modern for that time and good aerodynamics. In addition, there is a new 4.6-liter engine (the) 4.6 L Modular.
Since the spring of 1992, a new TS (Touring Sedan) package with a diluted exhaust was also offered, with which the engine developed 210 hp. versus standard 193, wider tires, two-tone paint, original wheel design and suspension tuned for active driving, structurally close to police modifications.
1993-94
Due to mixed reactions from buyers and the press to the Ford Taurus-style front panel without a grille, in the 1993 model year the car received a chrome grille and decorative moldings above the headlights and between the taillights. The TS trim level was no longer offered, but a set of “Handling and Performance” Package options became available with similar TS technical differences from the base model.
1995-97
Restyling followed in 1995. There were new headlights, a radiator grille, and taillights. The interior has a new instrument panel with a digital speedometer instead of an analogue one.
Since 1996, two trim levels have been available: base and LX. Two front airbags and a single key for the doors and ignition are standard, as is a built-in radio antenna instead of a retractable one, a heated rear window and tinted windows.
Options included the Handling and Performance package, ABS and traction control. Automatic climate control and a JBL audio system are now available on the LX.
In 1997, the model underwent minimal changes, the main one being an increase in steering sensitivity.
Second generation (1998-2011)
Ford is unveiling official details of their new Interceptor Police vehicle, which will be used by US police forces from late 2011 when production of the Ford Crown Victoria ends. The company also announced that the sedan will be accompanied by all services.