Ford Crown Victoria

The Ford Crown Victoria is a car model of the U.S. automobile manufacturer Ford, which was offered from early 1992 until the summer of 2011 in the North American market in the so-called full-size category.

Crown Victoria is a traditional Ford model name, whose origins go back to the fifties. Since 1996, cars of the Crown Victoria in the Middle East are available.

In Canada, the model was only used from 2000 only as fleets and police vehicles, and individuals available. In the U.S., the Crown Victoria was not sold to individuals since the end of 2007.

Model history

The versions from 1982 to 1991 ( officially called LTD Crown Victoria ) it was the continuation of the 1978 Ford LTD introduced; since 1980, the LTD- top model nicknamed Crown Victoria, the name was then extended to the entire model, to distinguish them from the new, smaller LTD, a sedan based on the Ford Fairmont.

After General Motors had the production of its full-size models Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster and other set in the U.S. in 1996 due to declining paragraphs and the increased demand for vans and trucks ( pickups and SUVs), remained the so-called Crown Vic and the parallel model Mercury Grand Marquis as the last U.S. full-size models in this classic American model ( rear-wheel drive, solid axle rear, space for 6 persons ) that are not under premium brands ( Cadillac, Lincoln) have been sold. This was also at that time a relatively low base price of 25 445 U.S. dollars ( March 2007).

Crown Victoria (1992-1997)

Ford Crown Victoria (1992-1993)

In 1991, the Crown Victoria (the term " LTD " accounted for ) introduced for model year 1992. This is mounted on a box frame. In order to ensure short times after collisions or major repairs, it has been designed so that the entire front end and together with the motor axis, can be replaced in a short time. Accordingly, the fenders are bolted rather than welded. The boot capacity is, type of construction, limited by the rear axle and fuel tank. The security is the standard electronic locking the ignition after a collision. The vehicle turns out after that as roadworthy, the system can be deactivated by a corresponding switch in the trunk.

Available was only one engine variant. Originally, it provided 202 hp ( 150.6 kW), with an optional dual exhaust system 212 hp ( 158.1 kW). According to its primary purpose of the Crown Victoria was designed as a true six-seater and therefore ( in two parts in upscale models, electrically adjustable and foldable with center armrest ) with a front bench seat equipped. This resulted in the operation of the standard three -speed automatic means of steering wheel gearshift.

The Crown Victoria was much more aerodynamic design than its predecessor LTD with optical bonds from the popular Ford Taurus. He received a similar roof with four side windows and a radiator grille in place a narrow air inlet between the hood and bumper. The body design was not well received. Although most of the production went to fleet customers (police, fire and other agencies, but most of all taxi operations), the vehicle for a long time was also available for private customers. There were different versions. The top version was the first model year designation Touring Sedan, then LX. It included as standard the 212 -horsepower engine, wider tires on aluminum rims, air suspension for the rear axle, leather upholstery, heated windscreen, contrasting from the body plastic parts, Ford's exclusive access system code of the driver's door and many other convenient features. Instead of air conditioning and an automatic climate control was available. An air bag, there was initially only on the driver's side.

In 1993 a minor facelift was designed to respond to the criticism of the design. It included a small plastic grille between the headlights, which at the time the current design of the Ford models was emphasized.

In 1995, the satin chrome trim has been added below the trunk lid with a red reflector strip at the bottom edge. The rear lights units have been made ​​larger and guided on both sides with a soft curve to the recess for the license plate, the inner part only reflected, but was not illuminated.

Crown Victoria (1997-2011)

Ford Crown Victoria (1997-2003)

In autumn 1997, a new generation of the Crown Victoria has been introduced. It was based far more on the parallel model Mercury Grand Marquis. Thus, the front end was also taken with indicated grille like the roof with a wider C-pillars of this. Only for taxi and only in the U.S., a version was released in 2002 with a longer wheelbase. Mid-2003, these underwent a facelift model generation.

The model was offered until August 2011 nor for the police, fire, and for taxi companies and the setting of the Mercury Grand Marquis in a civilian car rental version.

Vehicle data

In the last generation model of the Crown Victoria has a wheelbase of 2.91 m and a total length of 5.38 m, which he in its dimensions all series models from German manufacturers (except for the Maybach 57 and 62) exceeds. Is powered Crown Victoria from a 4.6 -liter eight-cylinder petrol engine developing depending on the model 224-239 hp.

The consumption of the civilian models specified by Ford 25-17 miles per gallon, equivalent to 9.4 to 13.8 liters per 100 km.

The end of production in North America

With closure of the plant in St. Thomas (Canada) on August 31, 2011, production of the Panther platform in North America was set. A direct replacement for the Crown Victoria is not here. The Taurus is thus the largest sedan in the current North American Ford model range.

For the American police, as well as for taxi companies in which the Crown Victoria was very popular, special models were manufactured with higher performance. In New York, the Crown Victoria has dominated the taxi version with a share of about 90 percent as the last full-size model for a long time the cityscape of the city. From 2013, a taxi version of the Nissan NV200 will replace the Crown Victoria.

Reliability and Maintenance

Main arguments why the Crown Victoria is still so popular with the police and taxi companies, the above-average reliability and low maintenance costs. Despite last miserable sales figures in the private sector of the Crown Victoria regularly received awards as " Best Used Car Bet" by various trade publications such as Edmunds.com and Consumer Reports.