The name Caprice has been in the Chevrolet blood line for years up until the last ‘bubble’ shaped model was axed in the mid 1990s. For 2011, Chevrolet is finally bringing it back but with three interesting letters that should put the fear back into any would-be criminals. Revealed not too long ago as a concept, the Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) is now street ready and should be expanding to nation wide fairly soon. As of now, the PPV is being used by the Forsyth County Georgia Police Department as well as the Cedar Rapids department.
“With its emphasis on the ergonomically designed seats for officer comfort, and enhanced safety features, the Caprice is a vehicle that is made for police work,” said the Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton. Paxton and his men have had a few PPVs for a little over a month and already there are plans of replacing all 175 patrol vehicles with the Caprice. “We chose the Caprice, because it delivers optimal officer operational space, trunk and storage space, and generally provides our officers the most-suitable operating environment,” said Dennis Hogan, Fleet Services manager in Cedar Rapids.
Using a long wheelbase version of the now defunct Pontiac G8, the Caprice PPV uses rear wheel drive, a fully independent suspension and a reworked StabiliTrak stability control system. It also features GM’s 6.0 liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque to ensure that no outlaw might out run it. With a large 112 cubic feet of interior volume, the PPV allows officers to carry a lot of gear and in comfort. “The Chevrolet Caprice PPV is our response to what our nation’s police officers said they needed to safely and effectively perform their jobs,” said Brian Small, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.
