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Ford Crown Victoria revived in new format as full-size sedan
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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COCONUT GROVE, Fla. -- In southern reaches of Florida, where palm trees and towering condominiums contend for space on sunny Atlantic beaches, Ford's most popular car label is not the national best-selling mid-size Taurus but a full-size sedan called Crown Victoria.
With rear-wheel driveline and a spacious interior which seats up to six in comfort, the Crown Vic scores with Florida's dominant age group, those plus-50 folks whose preferences in automobiles combine affordable value with lots of room for both cabin and trunk.
In a format tracing back to 1979 issues, Crown Victoria through 1997 apparently maintained enough sales in areas of the country besides Florida to merit its continuance in Ford's line, and among law enforcement agencies it's the top choice in police cruisers.
However, as the only big rear-driving domestic sedan enduring from an earlier era, some product forecasters wondered if Crown Victoria could survive in this age of front-wheel-drive platforms and pared economies of scale.
Well, as crowds visiting the recent Miami International Auto Show discovered, Crown Victoria will indeed survive, and with obvious renewed vigor, thanks to an entirely new rendition which debuted in Miami and now takes its place in Ford's 1998 array of car models.
The new Crown Victoria, still adding up to full-size standards, actually boosts cabin space in the remake, which rides on a new platform and contains many of the components of Lincoln's revamped Town Car.
Crown Victoria also looks modern, even sophisticated, with the new exterior scheme which projects a bold front hood with softly rounded edges and bright chrome grille. Shapely side panels feature an interesting flat shoulder stretched below windows to create shiny reflective surfaces in contrast against multiple body curves.
In back, the broad decklid conceals a humongous trunk.
It pitches more than 20 cubic feet of storage space in a design with deep well which can accommodate a lot of luggage -- or more than one set of golf clubs.
That interior seems cavernous too.
With standard seating for six on front and rear benches, Crown Victoria provides major dimensions in height and width and length, which becomes particularly apparent in passenger space for legs and heads and shoulders.
Without apology, Crown Victoria amounts to a big car, because that's the big idea. Yet it doesn't feel so big when maneuvering in traffic, thanks in part to a stiffer structure and new rear suspension elements which control the chassis and ease the ride.
Excepting for the revised exterior styling, Crown Victoria's most significant changes occur in the basic platform where new mechanical systems enable this version to behave with strength and agility.
The frame, with steel front rails plus cross-bracing and rear reinforcements, increases lateral stiffness four-fold and creates a stable foundation for mounting the new rear suspension system.
With multiple rear links, this device reduces lateral sway in the vehicle and maintains a secure stance when cornering, but it also decreases dive and squat tendencies when accelerating or braking.
As a result, there's virtually no evidence of the former Crown Victoria's tendency to wiggle at the rear.
"No longer does the tail wag the dog," proclaims Phil Martens, chief program engineer for Crown Victoria, in describing the responsive new handling characteristics.
Driving experience, covering boulevards and freeways stretched from Miami Beach and across Biscayne Bay to the mainland at Coconut Grove, showed tractable movement, even at higher speeds.
For steering, Crown Victoria retains a recirculating ball mechanism with power boost because the system translates less road shock to steering wheel and imparts a more luxurious feel to the driver.
Big new disc brakes on Crown Victoria, as connected to a computerized anti-lock system plus optional anti-slip traction stability, also improve driver control.
Then, too, there's ample power underfoot, due to Crown Vic's V8 engine rigged with high-tech hardware and tuned with low-torque output so driver feels a spark treaded through all gears.
The 4.6-liter Ford plant, with overhead cam configuration, produces 200 hp in standard application, or 215 hp when combined with an optional handling package.
In addition to the boost in power, the handling package provides twin exhaust ports, performance tires and thicker stabilizer bars which generate a firmer ride quality and enable crisp cornering. Air-cushioned springs are also included in an assemblage which automatically levels the car's load for a flattened stance when in motion.
A smooth 4-speed automatic transmission, dependent on electronic controls, tames this powertrain. The shifter adds a high-gear lockout switch, set in the tip of a column-mounted shift lever, which allows driver to downshift with only a tap from forefinger.
Both trims -- Crown Victoria and upgraded LX -- use the same ratios for gears and rear axle, although with the handling package a quicker axle ratio (3.27:1) is included.
Slip inside Crown Victoria and discover the passenger compartment completely revamped and rigged with many comfort features in the two editions.
Standard seating amounts to the two 3-person benches, with front seat split and combined with a fold-down armrest for functionality as two individual seats. In the rear, the 3-person bench carves out twin outboard stations and adds a center fold-down armrest.
A long list of standard equipment on Crown Victoria begins with air conditioning but extends to power operation for windows and door locks and exterior mirrors, plus an AM-FM stereo sound package, tilting steering wheel, intermittent front wipers and rear window defogger.
The upgrade to Crown Victoria LX installs a power driver's seat and more convenience perks. Further, packaged options permit customization, such as leather upholstery and keyless remote entry.
One of the best assets of Ford's big car may be found on the bottom line, as pricing begins at $21,540, with LX pegged at $23,740 including dealer delivery fee.
1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA SEDAN
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Specs |
| Description: |
Full-size sedan |
| Model Options: |
Full-size sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
114.7 inches |
| Overall Length: |
212.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 4.6-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
17/25 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 21,540 to $ 25,500 |
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