New Chevrolet Caprice tuned to police needs

The new Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicle will hit the streets in April 2011, and orders from departments will begin in January.

The Caprice will join the Impala and the Tahoe as the bow-tie brand's offerings for police.

The new Chevy will feature a 6.0-liter V8 engine pumping out 355 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. In addition, it will be able to run on E85 and include General Motors' active fuel-management system. Sixty mph will click off in less than six seconds, and the six-speed transmission offers sport-calibrated shifts for aggressive driving (or pursuing). A limited-slip differential will connect to a 2.92-ratio rear axle.

The interior of the squad car will swallow a class-leading 112 cubic feet of criminals, while the custom front seats will have room for officers to wear a gun belt. A full-width prisoner partition will separate the front from the back, with airbags on both sides.

The center console of the Caprice will be used for equipment mounting, and the dash will include a “Trap Speed” feature that measures speed when pacing another vehicle.

“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 V8 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.”

By Jake Lingeman