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Crown Vic May Lose Its Badge

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 18, 2008

Tampa Police are wisely considering replacing the venerable Crown Victoria with a squad car that patrols more miles per gallon.

The heavy Ford, with its rear-wheel drive, V-8 engine, bench seats and cavernous trunk, has long been a favorite of law enforcement.

The police upgrade handles great and provides good protection in a crash. Individual sales of the humdrum civilian model have been discontinued as the market shifted to SUVs, luxury trucks and upscale rivals.

Now, with the shocking rise in fuel prices, fleet buyers are taking a close look at the competition. Tampa Police say they're evaluating the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala, with its thriftier V-6 engine and lighter weight, yet adequate size.

Elsewhere around the country, some departments are finding the hot new Dodge Charger to be a good patrol choice. Test reports find the Dodge, equipped with a 5.7 liter hemi V-8 and rear-wheel drive, to be slightly faster than the Chevy and Ford, yet still a gas saver. Actually, all three are very close in acceleration time from zero to 60.

Slower, more efficient cars are also appearing. Police in Frederick, Md., are buying four Toyota hybrids to use for administration and victim services. The town of Barnegat, N.J., is getting its police chief a Ford Escape hybrid.

In Tampa, a major decider will be anticipated costs, including fuel and maintenance. Tampa, long a Crown Vic town, is geared to repair and maintain Fords. Changing brands is a big deal. But so are fuel bills.

Police are right to get the best buy for taxpayers while offering the city's reckless drivers no added temptation to floor it when they see blue lights approaching

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