New Chevy Pop Car

In an attempt to wrestle away sales from Ford (who is finally sending the ancient Panther-platform Crown Vic out to pasture), as well as the more modern Dodge Charger, Chevy will introduce a new Chevrolet Caprice police patrol vehicle in 2011. It will feature a 355hp 6.0-liter V-8 that will extend the long arm of the law in most pursuit activities. On the inside it will feature a huge optional in-dash screen for electronics, as well as seats designed for officer comfort when wearing utility equipment belts.

While rumors floated this past summer a new rear-wheel-drive sedan based on the highly regarded Pontiac G8, this won't be it. Rather, Chevy will be offering a left-hand-drive version of the long-wheelbase Holden Statesman, which is currently sold in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice. It shares elements of its rear-wheel-drive Zeta architecture with the Camaro, and it will be manufactured in Australia, as was the case with Pontiac GTO and G8. (It rides on a 118.5-inch wheelbase, the longest of any vehicle using GM's global rwd platform which, besides underpinning the Camaro, is also used in the Chinese-built Buick Park Avenue.)

While this car will be offered to police agencies, there are no current plans to offer it to the general public, probably owing to GM's desire to have as little impact as possible on its CAFE numbers. It looks like it will be a few years - when law enforcement agencies dispose of high-mileage early-sale cars - until we'll get a chance to drive a black and white Caprice for ourselves. That is, unless it's in the back seat taking advantage of the four extra inches of legroom it provides over Ford's Crown Vic. I think we'll pass on that driving impression.

Carlisle Events is partnering with Jeff Gardner, of Gardner Competition Engines, and Chevy Enthusiast magazine to give away a 383 cubic inch Chevrolet small-block V-8 at the 2010 edition of the All-GM Nationals. The event will be held June 25-27, 2010 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.