Chevrolet Caprice law enforcement vehicles headed to US
October 5, 2009 by George Skentzos
The Australian-built Holden Commodore has found a new role in law enforcement with specially prepared Police Patrol Vehicles (PPV) set to hit the streets of North America from as early as 2011.
Derived from the long-wheel-base Holden Caprice, the Chevrolet Caprice patrol cruiser was announced at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention – the biggest of its type in the US.
This showcase has been described by Holden Executive Director Sales and Marketing, John Elsworth, as an “exciting first step” for what could prove to be a lucrative deal for Holden, even more so than the now defunct Pontiac G8 Sedan export deal.
“Today is the start of the process. It’s our ticket to the dance. Now we need to go out and really impress the judges,” Elsworth said. “North American law enforcement fleets account for about 70,000 sales a year so securing a fraction of those sales would be a major manufacturing boost for GM’s operations in Australia.”
Holden’s reputation as a proven supplier to Australia’s police fleet, including demanding highway patrol and pursuit applications should help clinch the deal with US law enforcement.
Unlike the Pontiac G8 which entered the market just as the global financial crisis began to make headlines worldwide, the Chevrolet Caprice police car has been described as the right tool at the right time for law enforcement by Jim Campbell, General Manager for GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.
The Chevrolet Caprice will be offered in both V6 SIDI and V8 AFM guise, both E85 capable, and will feature a host of specialised equipment including:
- High-output alternator
- Engine oil and transmission coolers
- Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on centre caps
- Large, four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads
- Heavy-duty suspension components
- Police-calibrated stability control system
- Driver information centre in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature
In collaboration with the Australian National Security Agency, Holden has also presented a special NSA law enforcement vehicle based on the Pontiac G8.
As a technology partner of the LAPD, the Australian-built NSA Pontiac G8 boasts advanced integrated technology to create one of the safest most high-tech police vehicles in the world.
The technology package highlights include:
- Large, purpose designed, multi-function, touch screen integrated into dashboard
- Intelligent power management system
- Consolidated user interface
- Automatic Licence Plate Recognition
- In-car video with live broadcast capability
- Advanced wireless connectivity
- Automatic and seamless CAD and computer system updates performed ‘on the fly’ minimising down time and costly service calls
- Wireless vehicle telemetry fleet management system
- Forward looking infrared/night vision (FLIR) camera
- Fingerprint and facial recognition capability
- Virtual prisoner cell
- Latest high output low power LED lighting technology
Print it: 
A Caprice on 18″ steelies… who would have thought…
I love the steelies, but just wondering, does it have enough ground clearance?? Aussie cops I know say the local cars are too low to the ground (especially XR6/8 Falcons) So I wonder how the Yanks will go as they look like they drive over everything.
Yeah the biggest complaint I have of the police Falcons and Commodores is that they are WAY too low to the ground. We find it hard mounting kerbs and medians in them, and they can bottom out on beach work and get bogged. I really think that they should option the country pack suspension on police cars for urban use, the sports suspension is totally unnessary espcially seeing how well Falcons and Commodores handle nowadays. The extra ride height from a country pack suspension would be welcome for clearance, and sitting a bit higher up would give us a better view of the road when responding on a priority code. Sitting a bit higher would also make the car’s lightbar more visible to traffic too. Back in the early 90s the EAs and VN could get anywhere, but the latest gen Falcons and Commodores are a lot less practical for rough and tumble police work.
That is one tough mother….The statesman will dwarf the crown victoria in size and handling! Far out, it looks like a great cop car. And has an armoury behind the seat! Chk Chk BOOOM…
Agreed… looks awesome! Love the steelies and the po-po paint job. Nice work Holden.
why not sell it as the new impala as well?
Im sure holden is thinking why not too, but they may start stepping on the unions toes. So for now i think its one step at a time.
Why did they opt for the lwb instead of the normal comadore?
I am guessing to avoid it being the G8, or its rebadged variant!
It says on GM Insider news that the US Police department was presented with prototypes of both Commodore and Statey and they liked the statey better because of its space versatility and its looks.
I’ve been asking why the hell not HSV adopt the high-end front lights from statey/caprice on all their models…will look more menacing!
Oooooooooooo……is there a problem, Officer?
This thing looks so cooooooooollllll. if the crooks werent scared before then they will be now. But i cant wait to see one in the flesh tomorrow. one question though, if we use the commodore so effectively, then why did the yanks opt for the LWB as it will cost them more. I know i said that they liked it but that shouldnt be the deciding factor, should it?
have a look i doubt it costs much more than the SWB model. cheap interior and all the flashy stuff has been stripped
Well im basing my theory on the normal cost of both a base commodore and a base statesman:
Omega= $37000
Statesman= $63000. If you take this into account, even if you strip the Statesman, it will still cost more, but i guess the US cops are willing to pay for a versatile and good looking car when they need one. take all the bling equipment and the high end stuff out and the statesman will still cost about 40K
Well the Pontic G8 V8 GT sold in US for under US$33k when it costs us like AU$50k
Tell us how that works, Timmy.
Actually the Caprice in these pics is Middle Eastern Spec. Its just had all the Equipment added to it.
To be Exact its a Chevrolet Caprice LS. (Both V6 & V8 Specs)
Brand new Chevrolet Caprice LS (V6) 95,000 AED, or US$25,000
Caprice LS (V8) 105,000 AED, or US$29,000
and Caprice Royale (top of the range) 155,000 AED, or US$42,000
Considering this ’statesman’ runs an omega interior with little too no luxury trim it would hardly cost more than a base omega to produce.
Well actually everything in it is pretty much exactly like the Statesman we get in Australia (including tv screen on the back of the headrest), just with the Omega dash, and no dual zone climate control + instead of the 5 speed auto in UAE they get the 4 Speed Auto. But i think thats due to change soon.
In UAE the Chevrolet Caprice has 2 different dashboards. The LS model has the Omega dash. The LTZ, Caprice SS & Caprice Royale Have (Aussie Caprice/statesman dash)
the yanks sure know how to make a car look ugly
Hahaha..Couldn’t agree more.
Great fit and finish of the center console on the G8… Expose weiring with a fallen flimsy plastic cover. This is a showcase for your future clients for crying out loud… (not to mention its a press release picture) I think thats also one of the reason why they gone for the Caprice rather then the Comm.
Too right Jon Leong,
Even durring a press photo shoot, GM/Holden never seem to mind displaying vehicles with badly aligned panels, and nasty velding joints. Look at the VE2 HSV as an example…
You’re just annoyed that they’re not using Skodas aren’t you?
BTW you do realise that all the Law Enforcement equipment like the lights and central computer and communications etc aren’t installed by Holden but a company known as Britax who do similar work on other emergency vehicles such as Ambulances etc.
Wheelnut says:”You’re just annoyed that they’re not using Skodas aren’t you?”
No, why would I care, who is presenting what to to yanky cops?!!
Wheelnut says:”BTW you do realise that all the Law Enforcement equipment like the lights and central computer and communications etc aren’t installed by Holden but a company known as Britax who do similar work on other emergency vehicles such as Ambulances etc.”
I guess It is a trademark of holden dervived vehicles to have nasty weld joints, and miss aligned panels clearly visible on PR phhotos!! I guess it is too hard for the photographer to pick a perfect specimen… Cos there just isn’t one!!
This is not a problem just push it back into the groove. It probably fell out when the photographer moved the keyboard, yanking on the cord.
Tomas if you removed any part of the interior to install something or pulled something apart to repair something – when you put it back together it will never be as good as what it was when it left the factory..
As I said The installation of the Computer and Communications etc was most likely done by Britax – so don’t blame Holden blame britax.
I mean I have seen a number of Toyotas with poorly fitted After market Bullbars Tow bars Spotlights and Bodykits but is that Toyotas Fault?
I just thought you guys should know that the Caprice is Middle Eastern Spec.
To be Exact its a Chevrolet Caprice LS. (Both V6 & V8 Specs)
Because the Middle East is the only region that still gets the 4 Speed Auto Box, with the V6 (& 4 speed auto or 6 speed auto for V8) for the Caprice, and the Caprice LS gets the base Omega Interior.
And you wana know why, because in the Middle east these cars are dirt cheap.
Brand new Chevrolet Caprice LS (V6) 95,000 AED, or US$25,000
Caprice LS (V8) 105,000 AED, or US$29,000
and Caprice Royale (top of the range) 155,000 AED, or US$42,000
And I was just wondering, is their any Chance the G8 could still be used.
Because the Last 4 photos are Pics of the G8 (The boot photos and interior)
Petrol is only 12 cents a litre (US).
WELCOM CAPRICE IS USA !! BITTER THAN CROWN VIC ??
Left hand driven Holden Commo! I want one for Germany !!!!!!
You’ve got to admire Holden for chasing down every opportunity available. They really are on the ball at the moment. If this goes well they could be building more LWB versions than SWB. Pretty impressive – and makes the decision to fully develop a LWB version look very smart.
Agreed, well done to Holden for persisting in looking for other export opportunities. Morale must be much better at Holden, and can only hope that other export opportunities are available for Ford Aus and Toyota Aus too.
It just goes to show that Americans do build worse cars than us, if they have accepted this. I hope the ones Holden send over are more reliable than what we get.
that looks so tough in black on the 18″ ‘ceptors. :O
Forgot to say, that I am looking forward to seeing these home grown cars on TV in U.S. made movies and shows like COPS.
The G8 has already featured in the new NCIS spin-off – a black one was crashed in the first few minutes of the pilot episode!
The boys at Holdens will be hoping for another series of Blues Brothers movies.
more proof there are no good variants of a commodore…
for those that don’t get it, the LWB model allows the coppers to install a screen in the back to isolate the villains? Don’t you guys watch cops?
This is a marketing ploy by Holdens’ sales and marketing, nothing more.
There is an assumption in the banter that the new incarnation of GM will last another 6 months. It is insolvent and indicators from the US reflect a sinking inclination.
Wow… I want that big screen.
Why can’t they offer that as an option in all cars?
I’d buy it, all that touchscreen goodness (beats the hell outta COMAND).
Funny how the Commodore is big enough and does the job for Australian cops but its too small for the Americans. It seems the financial crisis has taught them little. Imagine suggesting to them VW Golf police cars like in Europe, they would think you were joking!
Holden offered both the SWB and LWB versions and they went for the LWB version for the extra room in the back. Congrats Holden!
So anybody know when the official press release is going to happen? The site said to day but not what time.
What is the press release suppose to be about???
its been over the news all day that This is holdens bid at the contract.
Anyone know what other cars are in the running for the contract???
One of the alternatives is purpose built Carbon motors E7
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/0.....red-e7-po/
What??? You dont even make sense..
The time Holden was going to announce the thing to the press.
If I owned a black Statesman I’d be SERIOUSLY tempted to swap the doors over for White ones, have the roof changed to white and to add on a set of those LED emergency light arrays (although, legally, in orange of course). Oh, and some black wheels.
I bet people would think twice before overtaking me on the highway!
What decoration to put on the doors though…
I always notice on cops that they have to “secure” their vehicles when in foot pursuit likely because of opportunistic persons stealing the vehicle or contents (or info). I wonder what solution if any they have come up for this? Smart key would work if it had an auto lock after leaving the vehicle. The photo has keys though so maybe this is still a problem or practically unsolvable.
i have heard rumors that Holden is actually trying to integrate that feature into their own cruze and maybe the commodore(the same sort of thing from the Lancer). if they can then why not for the police car
Locking the commodore while it is still running can be achieved by using the second set of keys that a lot of Nsw Hwy Police ususally carry with them. Unlike the falcon, which you have to actualy use the key in the lock, the commodore can be locked and unlocked with the remote, while it is still running. Very handy when exiting quickly and wanting to leave it running. One would also hope that if Holden succeed in this US deal, then Australian Police agencies can take advantage of the technology shown in these vehicles. I won’t hold my breath though….
That same panel fell to pieces all the way along in my VE so it is holdens fault!
Yeah Holden
bring the touchcreen to the Statesman / Caprice / Calais and Commodore
Loosk faboulous and better than the rubbish screen and controls used now
The Seppo unions wont allow this. Obama is all about trying to keep it in the country, so it will fail – waste of time and money.
What about fitting an LED screen [similar to the ones you see in the "Light Bar} on Highway Patrol Cars] on the rear parcel shelf of their cars so you can display messages to those tail-gaters and other idiots behind you
Just saw the press release from Holden and they have confirmed that they will supply their vehicles to the US but will not be the sole supplier, Dodge will still play with their Charger and the Caprice will provide around 70-80000 units per year which is absoluetley what Holden wants.
Maybe the next step will be Chevy Caprice taxis in the States
Woah… imagine that, Insane! It’d be pretty close to australia’s entire new car sales market of just Statesmans!