Spotted 2011 Caprice PPV test car
 

Every now and the Dear Husband an I spot prototype or test cars out on the road. Saw this BRAND SPANKIN NEW 2011Chevy Caprice PPV on 195 in Fall River, MA.

Michigan plates are part of the give away. But so were the massive dual exhaust, stiff springs, aggressive aero, and the fact that Chevy hasn't sold a Caprice in the US since 1996.

A quick google search revealed it's being sold almost purely as a police interceptor starting mid-July with delivery of the first ones expected in November.

So next time you get pulled over it might be by one of these guys.

One more pic

Isn't Ford discontinuing the Crown Vic? GM is probably trying to step in and fill the void.

Yup. :thumbsup:

Should be an "M" plate, i.e. it will have an M in the middle and say manufacturer.

Prototype isn't really true if you see it. If you see it on a public road and aren't in the Detroit area, it may be a press vehicle or on some sort of drive event or test, but it's salable. It has been built with production intent parts and production intent processes, just maybe not a production rates.

Smart move. Even if they weren't doing it exclusively as a police cruiser, sales to PD's would keep that model afloat.

Always wondered why Ford discontinued the Crown Vic.


I thought that already happened? Every one I see is at least 5-8 years old.

Maybe Obama motors will be donating these to the communities as part of the reconciliation of the loans they are defaulting on.:whistling2:

Because police departments were abandoning them in droves. We (I work for a city) stopped buying Crown Vics about 5 years ago, due to their horrid maintenance costs. The board actually went a step further and said "no more Fords" period. All our vehicles are either GM SUVs or Dodge Chargers now.

There are several "police only" cars that will be coming soon. The Caprice PPV is a modified version of the Australian Caprice - modified to be PD friendly on the inside. http://www.chevroletcapriceppv.com/

The 2013 Ford Police Interceptor is based on the Ford Taurus, and is better in practically every way vs. the Crown Vic. http://www.ford.com/fordpoliceinterc...#/models/sedan

There is also the Carbon Motors E7 concept, which is a car strictly made for police departments. It is a ground-up design made with law enforcement in mind. There has been plenty of interest in this, and to that part, GM has taken note by bringing a police-only vehicle over, versus their standard fleet car they have used in the past. http://www.carbonmotors.com/

GTK for the 'M' plate. It had one. Yes on the fact as it is not a prototype. If it was tagged on the road it had to be street legal. I'd guess press car.