2008 Ford Crown Victoria "Special Edition"

[JCE]

2008 Ford Crown Victoria Special Edition

http://jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/2008-ford-crown-victoria-special-edition-283348.php

According to some shots procured by Popular Mechanics' Jim Dunne (he's still alive? Really -- who knew?), Ford's gone Dave-alicious to the 2008 model of Ford's cop-car. That's right, the three-bar grille that screams "Hi, I'm An American" is the extent to which FoMoCo's changed the exterior of the 2008 Crown Vic. Oh wait, no, they've also dropped a special "Special Edition" chevron on the side of the front quarter panel and an odd little strip of chrome below the Dave look. We're going to go and vomit in our mouths a little bit. [Popular Mechanics]

Wiki sourced pic:

2008 'Special Edition'

With no major redesign since 1998, in order to remain competitive Ford came up with a trim package for the Crown Victoria in the Middle East, known as the Special Edition, for 2008. Only available on the P72 Standard model, this cosmetic package adds the following:

• 3-bar grille found on the Special Edition
• A new 3-bar grille.
• Mercury Marauder spoiler, also found on models equipped with the Export Handling Package.
• Chrome trim under the license plate on the front bumper.
• Chrome trim underneath the Ford logo on the trunk.
• Special Edition logos on the front fenders, trunk and dashboard.
• A Premium head unit with single CD and cassette

Special Edition fender logos

Everything else on this vehicle is identical to the Standard model. Whilst this vehicle is not listed in any sales literature, in Saudi Arabia it is available with a choice of different colors. In Kuwait, this model is only available in black (due to market size), and costs KWD 6,000 (approximately $22,000 USD).

My god, will Ford just quit with the damned gillet grille already? But, I'm loving the Marauder spoiler touch.

 

[Omnis]

Any other pics?

 

[Jim Prower]

And I should care...Why? It's some middle east model we'll never get.

 

[JCE]

And I should care...Why? It's some middle east model we'll never get.

Actually it is a model that will be available to the US.

 

[JohnBM01]

I'm actually okay with the grill designs with Ford. Only the Fusion is the best usage. It's not likely Ford will completely change its design like when Subaru (thank God) got rid of the ugly front design on the former B9 Tribeca and Impreza. As far as this 2008 Special Edition... nothing special about it. It's the same old police cruiser that never really became a good road car (or set me straight if I'm wrong). It's on the shelf much like the Mercury Marauder and the 2003(?) Thunderbird.

 

[JCE]

I'm actually okay with the grill designs with Ford. Only the Fusion is the best usage. It's not likely Ford will completely change its design like when Subaru (thank God) got rid of the ugly front design on the former B9 Tribeca and Impreza. As far as this 2008 Special Edition... nothing special about it. It's the same old police cruiser that never really became a good road car (or set me straight if I'm wrong). It's on the shelf much like the Mercury Marauder and the 2003(?) Thunderbird.

Having owned a Police Cruiser I can speak with some experience. When driven normally without any tire shredding throttle stomping exuberance it is quit comfortable and generally behaves itself on the road. There isn't an excessive body lean and the power is plenty for the daily commute. And it has a HUGEASS BOOT (trunk)! Gotta love American slang. Anyway in all seriousness it is an excellent A to B vehicle if you forget about the gas mileage. It is NOT a sports car and never tries to be--that's where the Maurader came in. But with a supercharger + Marauder exterior treatment + Mustang GT exhaust + upgraded suspension it might just be "fun", but it will never be a sports car. Musclecar yes, sports car no.

 

[ND4SPD]

I don't care what anyone says, I still love this car. Give me a P71 with a Rhino Front push bar and I'm set.

 

[Robin]

I also love the crown victoria... looks the business!

 

[Keef]

...

The Marauder didn't have a spoiler.

EDIT: Wait, I guess it was an option that nobody got. It looks better without the spioler, fa SHO.

 

[superberkut]

For some reason I liked the old taillight units on the car...

On topic, this car is the Lazarus of our time; still running strong after all this time, but is this car the swansong of the model? What does the Marauder spoiler look like?

 

[JCE]

I don't care what anyone says, I still love this car. Give me a P71 with a Rhino Front push bar and I'm set.

+1 For me as well.

I also love the crown victoria... looks the business!

It just looks sinister in the P71 Police Trim. ESPECIALLY if you find one black with blacked out limo tint.

The Marauder didn't have a spoiler.

EDIT: Wait, I guess it was an option that nobody got. It looks better without the spioler, fa SHO.

The Marauder had an option for a spoiler...it just wasn't common.

For some reason I liked the old taillight units on the car...

On topic, this car is the Lazarus of our time; still running strong after all this time, but is this car the swansong of the model? What does the Marauder spoiler look like?

Something like this. Google images isn't being very friendly.

 

[YSSMAN]

It sounds like it will be a nice package on top of the "sport" variant already offered. However, I continue to wonder as to why Ford hasn't crammed the 3V version of the modular V8 in there. That would make it EPIC awesome, and I'm positive that people would come out in droves to get what could only be described as a cheap, moderately reliable, and powerful alternative to the Pontiac G8 GT. Keep the P71 suspension under there, and I'm positive it could handle well enough to keep shoppers happy...

 

[TopHat]

I've always wondered that myself actually....

But here's a good thing: This better looking Crown Vic will be dirt cheap in a few years.

 

[JCE]

It sounds like it will be a nice package on top of the "sport" variant already offered. However, I continue to wonder as to why Ford hasn't crammed the 3V version of the modular V8 in there. That would make it EPIC awesome, and I'm positive that people would come out in droves to get what could only be described as a cheap, moderately reliable, and powerful alternative to the Pontiac G8 GT. Keep the P71 suspension under there, and I'm positive it could handle well enough to keep shoppers happy...

I'm TOTALLY with you. Infact I'll take it a bit futher...are you ready?

ECOBOOST! I'm dead serious. I can deal with a body-on-frame design for another 10 years if it meant some honest refinement in the drivetrain, interior, and some exterior cues. I mean, what if they dropped the "Crown Victoria" name altogether and just called it the "P71". Would you buy a Ford P71 for $25,000 that has the twin turbo 3.5L V6 w/340bhp and has an updated interior and suspension? I would, in a millisecond.

I've always wondered that myself actually....

But here's a good thing: This better looking Crown Vic will be dirt cheap in a few years.

You sir are a genius. +1 "air rep" to you.

 

[YSSMAN]

Ooooh yeah, give me the EcoBoost V6 with a new six-speed slushbox and a slightly modified interior and I'd be ON IT! I think the Police Departments would absolutely love a nearly 400 BHP cruiser that can get well over 25 MPG in the city, and furthermore, run on E85 if necessary.

FORD? ARE YOU LISTENING?

 

[JCE]

Honestly, how awsome would it be?

DID YOU SEE THAT POLICE CAR GO?!?!

 

[TopHat]

I have a feeling that in the future, these things will have some pretty wild mills thrown in them.

 

[JCE]

I have a feeling that in the future, these things will have some pretty wild mills thrown in them.

Like...6.8L V10?

 

[Pupik]

Shark.

Auto News Forum.

Perfect jump.

I missed the action, but I get the premise.

 

[High-Test]

I'm TOTALLY with you. Infact I'll take it a bit futher...are you ready?

ECOBOOST! I'm dead serious. I can deal with a body-on-frame design for another 10 years if it meant some honest refinement in the drivetrain, interior, and some exterior cues. I mean, what if they dropped the "Crown Victoria" name altogether and just called it the "P71". Would you buy a Ford P71 for $25,000 that has the twin turbo 3.5L V6 w/340bhp and has an updated interior and suspension? I would, in a millisecond.



You sir are a genius. +1 "air rep" to you.

I think a Twin Turbo V6 powered P71 should stay body on frame. It would a a stroke of genius.. An insanely fast vehicle on the Panther platform. (that paid for itself back in the nineties) Plus, it's something unique. It's the only body on frame vehicle left. It has its own niche. I think Ford should keep the panther around, and replace it with another body on frame design. Why not? Police forces love it, and they could do some fairly cheap utes to combat the G8 Ute thing. Call it the Courier. Give it a turbo. Or two..

 

[JCE]

Police, Fire, and other general municipalities like the body-on-frame because its easy to repair the bodywork over the unibody. I DO think Ford should still carry a body-on-frame vehicle specifically FOR emergency vehicles and law enforcement. You CAN make them nice places to be inside and outside as well as fast rockets when needed.

What's even more awsome is Ford knows how to economically manufacture the panther platform--so with some light modifications to that platform they could still churn out a pretty hefty profit. I mean, a P71 couldn't cost Ford today more than what ... $8,000 USD to make it?

 

[High-Test]

Police, Fire, and other general municipalities like the body-on-frame because its easy to repair the bodywork over the unibody. I DO think Ford should still carry a body-on-frame vehicle specifically FOR emergency vehicles and law enforcement. You CAN make them nice places to be inside and outside as well as fast rockets when needed.

What's even more awsome is Ford knows how to economically manufacture the panther platform--so with some light modifications to that platform they could still churn out a pretty hefty profit. I mean, a P71 couldn't cost Ford today more than what ... $8,000 USD to make it?

8,000 at most, I would think.. It would be nonsense to discontinue the Body-on frame car. Give it some refreshments and a couple turbos. The 4.6 is overworked. give it the Ecoboost. We all know that the car is a rolling cavern, so they might as well plumb everything nicely. I think it would be prudent to put the Ecoboost stuff in the Crown Vic first, honestly. It would have no problem fitting in, and it would be a definite contrast against the performance of the modular 4.6 that everyone compares the 3.5 to.

 

[ND4SPD]

If they ecoboost the 4.6l in the Crown Vic, I think I'd faint.
This, with a 350+HP turbo'd 4.6l V8.......👍

 

[JCE]

The EcoBoost is only for the 4cyl and 6cyl engines. I seriously doubt Ford will drop 2 turbos on the 4.6L. But if they do, maybe the Mustang Cobra makes a comeback.

But yea, that black P71 there is exactly what I want right down to the pushbar.

 

[ND4SPD]

The EcoBoost is only for the 4cyl and 6cyl engines. I seriously doubt Ford will drop 2 turbos on the 4.6L. But if they do, maybe the Mustang Cobra makes a comeback.

But yea, that black P71 there is exactly what I want right down to the pushbar.

You and I both want that exact P71. 👍

 

[Philly]

The EcoBoost is only for the 4cyl and 6cyl engines. I seriously doubt Ford will drop 2 turbos on the 4.6L. But if they do, maybe the Mustang Cobra makes a comeback.

I would be questioning Ford's will to put turbos on their high performance pony car. It would be cool to see a twin-turbo V8 in a Ford, but probably not a Cobra Mustang.

But yea, that black P71 there is exactly what I want right down to the pushbar.

Expect to be pulled over a lot for cops wondering if you are a real cop.

 

[TopHat]

Expect to be pulled over a lot for cops wondering if you are a real cop.

Why? Cops have special license plates, and other stuff to differentiate themselves from civilians.

 

[High-Test]

Why? Cops have special license plates, and other stuff to differentiate themselves from civilians.

Yeah, but it's a Crown Victoria. And old people usually drive mercurys or the crown vics with shiny stuff. It looks enough like a cop car going down the highway. I slow down if I see anything that remotely looks like a crown Vic...

 

[JCE]

Yeah, but it's a Crown Victoria. And old people usually drive mercurys or the crown vics with shiny stuff. It looks enough like a cop car going down the highway. I slow down if I see anything that remotely looks like a crown Vic...

I had one of these before, cops waved at me.

 

[Philly]

Why? Cops have special license plates, and other stuff to differentiate themselves from civilians.

I have a friend that gets pulled over a lot in the speed traps just so the cops can see if he really is a cop.