Chevrolet Announces Order & Delivery Dates, Packages For Chevy Caprice Police Vehicle

by Alex Luft
Jul 28th, 2010

GM’s infamous rear-wheel drive Zeta platform has given way to many a lauded vehicle, including the Holden Commodore/Pontiac G8/Vauxhall ClubSport, Holden Ute, Chevrolet Camaro, and the big daddy of the Zeta architecture – the Holden Statesman. But the unfortunate death of Pontiac took the vaunted G8 with it – and thus came the end of Zeta-based sedans in North America. However, fans of the Zeta platform have been following the return of a Zeta-based sedan in the form of a Chevy Caprice Police Package Vehicle (PPV), which is mostly a rebadged Holden Statesman. And it’s the Caprice PPV about which we have some news to share with you today.

Orders And Timing

Chevrolet will begin taking orders for the Caprice PPV detective package (9C3) in October 2010, with plans to put the vehicle on the streets in April 2011. The police package Caprice (9C1) will be available for order in January 2011 and is set to go on duty next June.

The rear-wheel drive Caprice PPV will join the front-wheel drive Chevy Impala as well as the Chevy Tahoe PPV SUV. This makes the bow tie brand the only brand to offer a full line of police vehicles in North America.

Not Just A Rebadge

Chevrolet made a few additions and modifications to the Statesman Caprice to get it ready for police duty: for starters, it gave the segment-leading interior volume sedan specially-designed front seats sculpted to allow for gun belts. In fact, the seats are made with high wear material and have a seat back security panel.

There’s also an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with a reclining back and lumbar control, but these aren’t your ordinary seats: they also have manual quick-adjust controls that allow for quick fore and aft movement (meaning you don’t have to wait – or rely on – the electronic wizardry to get in, set up, and go).

Proper Power

Of course, police officers seem to be as addicted to their V8 engines as owners of our favorite bow tie muscle car (read: Chevy Camaro and its awesome LS3). As such, Chevy gave the Caprice a powerful 6.0L V8 (L98) that makes 355 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The powerplant contains GM’s Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability.

Chevy will also offer a V6 (probably the HF V6) beginning in the 2012 model year. Both engines will be mated to six speed transmission with a sport shift mode for performance driving to catch them bad guys.

Extra Battery

And since police officers carry all kinds of electric gadget and gizmos these days and need power to charge them up when they’re not in use, the Caprice PPV offers an optional auxiliary battery that can be used to power police equipment.

Protection

To protect the law from them criminals who may be sittin’ in the back seat, Chevy equipped the Caprice PPV with a full-width prisoner partition. However, the partition sacrifices head curtain air bags for the rear seat. This means that Caprice PPVs equipped with the partition will only contain head curtain air bags in the front seats.

Standard Equipment

Besides that, expect your standard-measure features on this law enforcement application of the Zeta platform, including StabiliTrack (which – per GM’s press release provides a “police performance” mode for enhanced stability during high-speed driving), 18-inch steelies with bolt on center caps and wheel covers, as well as five-passenger seating.

But here are two intriguing features that caught this writer’s eye:

A certified speedometer (160-mph certified analog) includes a trip odometer, warning lights and multifunction display with Engine Oil Life monitor.
A Driver Information Center contains a “Trap Speed” feature that captures speed when tracking/pacing other vehicles.

You can find the full spec sheet and additional information about the Caprice PPV at the recently-updated Chevrolet Caprice PPV website here.

And Then?

So, what does all this mean to civilians who can’t get their hands on one of these babies (except for maybe in the back seat)? Well, it means that come April 2011, Camaro and G8 owners will finally have to watch their speed, since the Caprice PPV will be a very popular law enforcement vehicle that will actually be able to keep up with GM’s other Zeta-based muscle cars.

Whether GM will make a civilian version of the Caprice isn’t a big unknown right now, but we sure as heck need a new Impala – and the Caprice seems to fit the bill quite nicely. Until then, perhaps an auction for a decommissioned Caprice 9C3 is in order?

Chevrolet Prepares 2011 Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle for Duty
2010-07-26

Specifications, order and delivery dates now available
Unique to the police market – designed and built to law enforcement specifications

DETROIT – General Motors today announced order and delivery dates, as well as final package specifications, for the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV). The rear-wheel-drive Caprice PPV joins the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala and the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV, making Chevrolet the only brand to offer a full line of police vehicles.

Chevrolet will begin taking orders for the Caprice PPV detective package (9C3) in October 2010. Vehicles will hit the streets in April 2011. Ordering for the police package (9C1) will begin in January 2011 and the vehicles go on duty next June.

“When we began designing our latest police vehicle, we went directly to our customers and found that they were looking for a rear-wheel, large sedan with a V-8 engine,” said Brian Small, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “By announcing the available specs and ordering information now, we’re following through with our promise to provide them with the advanced technologies that best serve their needs for comfort, performance and safety.”

The all-new Caprice PPV features:

Comfort: Segment-leading interior volume (112 cubic feet / 3,172 liters) provides a spacious interior, providing officers with more comfort for long hours on patrol. In addition, it has specially designed front seats sculptured to allow for gun belts. The seats are made with high wear material and have a seat back security panel. There’s also an eight-way power driver’s seat with reclining back and lumbar control, featuring quick-adjust manual fore and aft movement for additional comfort.
Performance: Responsive rear-wheel-drive and a powerful 6.0L V-8 engine, with 355 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. torque, including the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability. It delivers expected best-in-class top speed and zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds. A V-6 engine also will be available beginning in the 2012 model year. In addition, the 6-speed transmission has sport shift calibrations for performance driving. A 2.92 axle ratio with limited slip is standard.
Safety: Full-width prisoner partition enabled by front seat only head curtain with side impact airbags. Rear seat head curtain side impact airbags are available. StabiliTrak, GM’s electronic stability control technology, provides a “police performance” mode for enhanced stability during high-speed driving.
Exterior: Vehicle has an overall length of 204.2 inches (5,186.1 mm), an overall width of 74.75 inches (1,898.7 mm) and an overall height of 58.66 inches (1,489.95 mm). Efficient packaging allows spacious interior, without showing it on the exterior. Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt on center caps and wheel covers.
Interior: Designed for five-passenger seating, the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without concern of air bag deployment interference. A certified speedometer (160-mph certified analog) includes trip odometer, warning lights and multifunction display with Engine Oil Life monitor. A Driver Information Center with a “Trap Speed” feature captures speed when tracking/pacing other vehicles.
Additional Options: Available auxiliary battery to power police equipment and full-size spare tire under a flat load surface. Vinyl rear seat and floor covering also available.
“Chevrolet’s history with law enforcement spans across almost as many years as the brand itself and we’re ready to see the Caprice PPV report for active duty,” Small said.

A full list of vehicle specifications and additional information about the Caprice PPV can be found at the recently updated website, www.chevroletcapriceppv.com.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has 11 models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and strives to provide the best value in every segment in which it competes. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://media.gm.com/volt or join the conversation at chevroletvoltage.com.

About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

2010 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

Also Don't Miss:

More about: Business, Caprice PPV, Chevrolet, Featured, Launch, Market, Marketing, Model, News, USA

2 ResponsesLeave a comment

Robert
July 29, 2010 at 6:31 am
Reply

Chevrolet needs to release these to the general public in a typical civilian design. The Caprice name sucks as well as the mostly unrecognizable me too cars. Lats get back Chevy that look like Chevy(early sixty had tail light that let you know that a Chevy was ahead you. Stop the designer’s nightmare designs that looks just like Honda or Mercedes etc.. Look at the 65 Impala for inspiration Bill Mitchell’s design that year sleek and classy.. Try to say the Sky/Solstice It will add another good mileage car to the stable. Possibly call it the Corsa with Spyder for a turbocharged version. Another thought GMC Buick people bring back the Wild Cat name for luxury car based off the Zeta platform and the V6 using turbochargers to bring back memories. The V6 Turbos another emblem another one to use.. Think about turning over Camaro to coach builder to save the Firebird name. They will sell you have customers who appreciate this. Thank you for a place to rant. I ‘m a life long Chevy my wife and I have five right now. she is irritated about you dropping the HHR as she love hers. please do not make a cube like all Japanese and Korean type. Use the 55 through 59 Chevy pickup or Panel body to freshen the HHR. Thank again..
- Alex Luft
  July 29, 2010 at 12:30 pm
  Reply
  
  Hey Robert – interesting ideas – but we’re not GM. We’re GM Authority – the Ultimate Independent GM Fan Site. Welcome to the club!