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The 9C1 police version Impala can be
distinguished from the normal car by
noticing the 9C1's black-out wheels with
chrome center hubcaps, similar to the Crown
Vic Interceptor wheels. It may also have the
cut-out on one or both of the A-pillar for a
spotlight. There is no 9C1 badging to
identify it as a police version, so it is
hard to spot an unmarked unit on the
highway. But the good news(?) is that most
departments do not use this car primarily as
a pursuit vehicle on the Interstates. It is
used more for inner city patrols, which is
what the NYPD does, although General Motors
is doing its best to market it as a pursuit
model. Most officers are trained using
rear-wheel-drive vehicles in high speed
situations, so they don't take kindly to the
front-driven Impala.
The Impala is a fairly heavy car, and the
200 hp V6 engine does the car no justice.
The V6 helps the car chug on to 60 mph in
just over 9 seconds. The police package
equipment is similar to that offered by
Ford, such as auxiliary wiring, lighting and
spotlights, high-capacity engine cooling
with auxiliary engine and transmission oil
coolers, 215/65R15 tires, on/off switch for
speedometer light, radio display and daytime
running lights, and inoperative rear door
locks and handles.
Standard are all-wheel disc brakes, and
independent MacPherson strut front and
independent tri-link rear suspension. Top
speed is limited to 124 mph and braking
distances are marginally better than the
Ford's, at about 141 feet.
Specifications :
Price Range : Only sold to law enforcement
agencies. Used ones
available at
police auctions.
Engine : V6, OHV, front engine FWD
Displacement : 3,800 cc
Valve : 12 valves, 2 valves per cylinder
Transmission : 4-spd automatic
Fuel economy : city - 20 mpg
highway - 29
mpg
Horsepower : 200 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque : 200 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
0-60 mph : 9.2 sec.
Curb Weight : 3587 lbs
Overall length : 200.1 in.
Wheelbase : 110.5 in.
Overall Width : in.
Height : 57.4 in.
www.chevrolet.com
History :
Before the current Impala, Chevrolet offered
their lowly Lumina as a police vehicle after
the demise of the Caprice. However, the
Lumina never took off with departments and
buyers flocked to Ford's camp. The '96 and
earlier rear-driven Caprice is regarded by
most officers as the best police sedan there
ever was, and most insist on using their
older Caprice cruisers to this day. It came
in two versions - a 4.3L 200 hp V8 and a
5.7L 260 hp V8. Yes, the 5.7L is a cop
version of the legendary Impala SS of the
mid-'90s. The 5.7L Caprice does 0-60 mph in
8 seconds, brakes from 60 mph to 0 in 135
feet and has a top speed of 139 mph. The
4.3L is considerably slower, reaching 60 mph
in 10.5 seconds and having a top speed of
120 mph.
The late '80s 9C1 Caprice was also this
market segment's leader in its time and was
also regarded as the best police cruiser
ever, until the release of the '90s Caprice.
More
Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 Information
Page courtesy of
Modern Racer
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