It’s about that time, folks. The time for police officers to ride in style while they capture the miscreants that roam our cities. The 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) will be seen on the streets starting in April 2011. Before that officers can order the Caprice PPV detective package (9C3) in October 2010. The police package (9C1) can be ordered starting in January 2011 before the vehicles start their service in June 2011.

The Caprice->ke3664 police car is powered by a 6.0-liter V8 engine producing 355 HP and 384 lb-ft of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It also has the appeal of Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability. Those features will come in handy when patrolling the streets as will the full-width prisoner partition when the police officers have “guests” in the backseat.

The PPV comes with tons of standard equipment to help out the boys in blue including 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps, large, four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads, police-calibrated stability control system and special equipment packages such as spotlights and a little something called “Trap Speed”. This feature captures speed when tracking/pacing other vehicles.

Hit the jump for the press release containing full specs for the Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle.

Press Release

General Motors today announced order and delivery dates, as well as final package specifications, for the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV). The rear-wheel-drive Caprice PPV joins the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala and the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV, making Chevrolet the only brand to offer a full line of police vehicles.

Chevrolet will begin taking orders for the Caprice PPV detective package (9C3) in October 2010. Vehicles will hit the streets in April 2011. Ordering for the police package (9C1) will begin in January 2011 and the vehicles go on duty next June.

“When we began designing our latest police vehicle, we went directly to our customers and found that they were looking for a rear-wheel, large sedan with a V-8 engine,” said Brian Small, general manager, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “By announcing the available specs and ordering information now, we’re following through with our promise to provide them with the advanced technologies that best serve their needs for comfort, performance and safety.”

The all-new Caprice PPV features:

- Comfort: Segment-leading interior volume (112 cubic feet / 3,172 liters) provides a spacious interior, providing officers with more comfort for long hours on patrol. In addition, it has specially designed front seats sculptured to allow for gun belts. The seats are made with high wear material and have a seat back security panel. There’s also an eight-way power driver’s seat with reclining back and lumbar control, featuring quick-adjust manual fore and aft movement for additional comfort.

- Performance: Responsive rear-wheel-drive and a powerful 6.0L V-8 engine, with 355 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. torque, including the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability. It delivers expected best-in-class top speed and zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds. A V-6 engine also will be available beginning in the 2012 model year. In addition, the 6-speed transmission has sport shift calibrations for performance driving. A 2.92 axle ratio with limited slip is standard.

- Safety: Full-width prisoner partition enabled by front seat only head curtain with side impact airbags. Rear seat head curtain side impact airbags are available. StabiliTrak, GM’s electronic stability control technology, provides a “police performance” mode for enhanced stability during high-speed driving.

- Exterior: Vehicle has an overall length of 204.2 inches (5,186.1 mm), an overall width of 74.75 inches (1,898.7 mm) and an overall height of 58.66 inches (1,489.95 mm). Efficient packaging allows spacious interior, without showing it on the exterior. Standard 18-inch steel wheels with bolt on center caps and wheel covers.

- Interior: Designed for five-passenger seating, the upper-center section of the dashboard can be used for equipment mounting without concern of air bag deployment interference. A certified speedometer (160-mph certified analog) includes trip odometer, warning lights and multifunction display with Engine Oil Life monitor. A Driver Information Center with a “Trap Speed” feature captures speed when tracking/pacing other vehicles.

- Additional Options: Available auxiliary battery to power police equipment and full-size spare tire under a flat load surface. Vinyl rear seat and floor covering also available.

“Chevrolet’s history with law enforcement spans across almost as many years as the brand itself and we’re ready to see the Caprice PPV report for active duty,” Small said.