Following its 1998 introduction, the second-generation Crown Victoria underwent an extensive revision for the 2003 model year. Introduced in April 2002, while the exterior saw no change, nearly the entire chassis was redesigned, with major updates to the suspension and steering.
Body
The redesigned Crown Victoria adopted the formal notch-back roof-line of its Mercury counterpart, causing it to lose its rear C pillar windows. All four doors were now shared with the Mercury (previously, the front doors were shared). On the front fascia, both the grille and headlamps were enlarged. The rear fascia underwent a redesign, as large tail lamp units were mounted at the corners of the body, replacing the previous full-width design.[22] A fender mounted radio antenna would appear for 2005, but was reversed back to the original rear-windshield unit in 2006. In contrast to its Mercury counterpart, the Crown Victoria had considerably less use of chrome trim. LX Sport models forewent chrome trim altogether, as they adopted a fully monochromatic paint scheme.
Interior
While a large portion of the interior was retained from the first generation, the 1998 redesign brought some changes to the interior, as the seat design was revised slightly, and the chrome trim found on the column shifter and turn signal switch was deleted. The gauge cluster needles were switched from orange to red, and its backlighting was switched from light blue to green. Ford's "Securi-Lock" anti-theft system (PATS) was now standard on all retail models; the move necessitated the switch to a transponder key and a new key-less entry remote. Also, a new two-spoke steering wheel took the place of the former four-spoke design. LX models were now equipped with an 8-way power driver seat that featured a lumbar function and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with a built-in compass. For the 2000 model year, changes included an emergency trunk release system, a "Belt Minder" (seat belt reminder chime that sounds for an unbelted front seat occupant), and LATCH anchors to comply with US federal safety regulations.[23]
In 2001, the seat-belts were redesigned; the move coincided with the introduction of Ford's Personal Safety System, which also included seat position sensors, seat belt pre-tensioners, and dual stage airbags for improved safety. Furthermore, redundant controls for the climate control and radio became optional on LX trim vehicles. Heated side mirrors became standard in 2002, along with floor mats, power pedals, and improved cloth upholstery; for LX-trim vehicles, a trunk storage organizer became an option.
With the 2003 update, the interior saw further revisions. Redesigned door panels, seats, headrests, and new switch-gear modernized it. Wiper-activated headlamps were now standard for all non-police models. A new dual media CD/cassette radio was initially standard, but became optional midway through the 2003 model year. Additionally, side airbags were introduced as an option.
As the model progressed, the interior would continue to see periodic updates.
Chassis and specifications
Under the 1998 redesign, multiple changes were made to the Crown Victoria's mechanical systems. An updated 4.6L V8 engine now received an increase in horsepower to 200 hp and 215 hp for dual exhaust models. A two-speed electronically controlled radiator fan was introduced along with fail-safe cooling. The ignition system was switched over to a coil-on-plug design (shared with other Modular engines), replacing the dual coil pack design from 1997. Additionally, the radiator overflow tank was moved off the passenger fender well and onto the radiator surround, while the power steering reservoir was moved from the driver-side fender well to the front of the engine block. The 4R70W transmission now mandated the use of Mercon V fluid. Furthermore, the rear suspension was redesigned to improve general road manners (at the expense of reduced towing capacity), as its original three-link coil-spring configuration was replaced with a four-link configuration that featured a Watt's linkage. Continuing the use of four-wheel disc brakes, larger brake rotors and new dual-piston front calipers necessitated a shift to 16-inch wheels for all models.[25] Lastly, the traction control system was revamped to work on all speeds. For 1999, ABS became standard on all retail Crown Victoria models.
For the 2001 model year, the 4.6L V8 received new "Performance Improved" (PI) cylinder heads. As a result, horsepower ratings were increased to 220 hp and 235 hp on dual exhaust models. Additionally, ABS once again became optional.
From 1998 through 2004, the 4R70W four-speed automatic was paired with the 4.6 L V8, replaced by the 4R70E for 2005 (the latter designed to accommodate electronic throttle controls); the 4R75W was exclusive to the 2004 Police Interceptor. In 2006, a revised 4R75E transmission became standard on all Crown Victoria models. Most models used a 12-inch torque converter
2003 update and re-engineering
For the 2003 model year, the Ford Panther platform was re-engineered for the first time since its 1979 introduction. While the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis saw extensive exterior redesigns, the Crown Victoria retained its exterior design introduced in 1998. However, substantial changes were made to the chassis. A new, fully boxed & hydro-formed frame along with a new aluminum #2 cross-member strengthened chassis rigidity and improved safety. According to Ford, the torsional rigidity of the new frame was increased by 24%, and its resistance to vertical bending was increased by 20%.[27] For the first time, the Crown Victoria adopted speed-sensitive rack and pinion power steering (replacing the long-running recirculating ball system); it increased steering precision and road feel. The suspension was entirely revamped, with the adoption of aluminum front lower control arms, revised front upper control arms, updated steering knuckles, and coil-over front shocks.[28] In the rear, twin-tube shocks (in use since the mid-1960s) were replaced by mono-tube shocks; to improve handling, the shocks were inverted and moved to the outside of the chassis rails. As part of the suspension upgrades, the Panther-chassis vehicles were fitted with high positive offset (flat-face) wheels. ABS once again became standard, as improved brakes were introduced. They featured a quiet EBD brake booster with mechanical panic assist that optimized front-rear brake bias. To add, the entire exhaust system was redesigned, with exhaust hangers now mounted to the frame rails to reduce NVH.
Several changes were also made under the hood, with the 4.6L V8 receiving revised engine tuning and a power increase due to the addition of an engine knock sensor.
2003 mid-year de-contenting
Midway through the 2003 model year, Ford introduced a series of cost-cutting measures to all Panther platform vehicles, which were estimated to save around US$4,000,000 (~$ in ) in production costs per year.[32] The Crown Victoria saw numerous deletions including the removal of the remote locking fuel door, body-colored mirror caps, auto parking brake release, engine compartment lamp, front seat bottom pouches, dual media CD/Cassette radio, power-adjustable pedals (except LX models), foam sound absorbing inserts inside the headliner, black B-pillars (now body-colored), silver "V8" emblem on the engine cover, and the elimination of the rear stabilizer bar on all non Fleet, Handling, or LX Sport versions. Several colors were also deleted: Aspen Green Metallic, Chestnut Clearcoat Metallic, Deep Wedgwood Blue, Gold Ash Metallic, Matador Red, and Silver Frost. Additionally on US models, the rear turn signals were changed from having separate amber sections to being combined with the red brake light bulbs. These changes took effect in December 2002. The de-contented 2003 vehicles are often referred to as "2003 Job #2" and "2003.5" models.
With falling retail sales and increased focus on other models, the Crown Victoria would continue to see periodic cost-cutting measures: For 2004, the chrome bumper trim strips were deleted along with the passenger-side dual sun-visor, standard heated mirrors (now optional), and the optional trunk organizer.[33] Additionally, Ford's proprietary door-mounted keypad system, marketed as its Securicode, was deleted from the base model. Base trim versions also lost their chrome exterior door handles in favor of black handles. Moreover, the tail-lamps had their amber turn signal lens deleted, and the four bulb setup was simplified to a two-bulb design with an all red housing.
Trim and variants
Carried over from the previous Crown Victoria, the second-generation Crown Victoria was marketed in two trim levels: Ford Crown Victoria (Base) and Ford Crown Victoria LX. The Police Crown Victoria was carried over, with Ford creating the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor as a stand-alone model for the 1999 model year.
Base - Included: Cloth upholstery, manual seats, power locks, key less entry, Securi-Lock anti-theft system (PATS), power windows with automatic drivers side window, solar glass, power remote control mirrors, illuminated entry, steel rims with hubcaps, air conditioning, battery saver, power trunk release, power steering, and an AM/FM stereo with clock (later, a cassette player was added, replaced by a single CD/cassette player, then a single-CD player). Later standard features were a power drivers seat and wiper-activated automatic headlamps. The base Crown Victoria was discontinued following the 2008 model year.
LX - Added: Luxury cloth upholstery, power drivers seat, alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, an AM/FM stereo with a cassette player (later, a single CD/cassette player, then just a single-CD player), and illuminated mirrors. Leather seating, dual power seats, and eventually, a sunroof were all options on LX models. Several packages were offered for the LX over the course of the model run including an LX Comfort Package, Premier Package, Special Edition, and Sport (see below).
Carried over from the first generation, the Handling and Performance Package (option code 41G) was available on both base and LX models. It included dual exhaust, increased horsepower, shorter rear gears (3.27:1 for most years, 3.55:1 for 2000-mid 01), as well as an upgraded suspension with revised springs, shocks, larger sway bars, and rear air springs. The package also featured lacy-spoke wheels riding on P225/60TR16 tires, and external oil-to-air coolers for both the power steering and transmission.
Carried over from the first generation, the Handling and Performance Package (option code 41G) was available on both base and LX models. It included dual exhaust, increased horsepower, shorter rear gears (3.27:1 for most years, 3.55:1 for 2000-mid 01), as well as an upgraded suspension with revised springs, shocks, larger sway bars, and rear air springs. The package also featured lacy-spoke wheels riding on P225/60TR16 tires, and external oil-to-air coolers for both the power steering and transmission. The package was restricted to LX models beginning in 2002. As part of the 2003 update, it received new 16x7 inch "snowflake" wheels. New nine-spoke 16x7 wheels were introduced for the 2006 model year, and the package was discontinued after the 2007 model year; it coincided with the end of retail sales for the model line.[34]
LX Sport
Initially called Sport Appearance Package, it was introduced in 2001 as a counterpart to the Mercury Grand Marquis LSE. According to Ford, the trim package was aimed at buyers who sought style and improved features. The LX Sport featured all mechanical upgrades found on the Handling and Performance Package. It added an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated exterior mirrors, monochromatic exterior trim (on select colors), 17-inch “Sport” wheels, standard leather interior trim, a floor-mounted shifter with center console, front bucket seats, an AM/FM/CD/Cassette radio (the cassette player was eventually deleted), as well as steering wheel controls for the radio and climate control. The LX Sport was renamed to LX Premium Sport Handling and Performance Package in 2007; it was discontinued entirely mid-year 2008. A total of 14,777 LX Sport units were produced over the model run.[35]
Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (1998–2011)
Starting with the 1999 model year, the police version of the Crown Victoria, previously named Crown Victoria P71, was changed to Police Interceptor, and new rear badging was assigned instead of the standard Crown Victoria badge. However, the Crown Victoria badge was still affixed to Police Interceptors equipped with the optional Street Appearance Package for vehicles that required ordinary styling. Compared to the standard Crown Victoria, Police Interceptor models had a host of heavy-duty features that enabled them to be used for emergency response style driving and long idling times. Some of these features included heavy-duty suspension components, larger brakes, a bigger alternator, a shorter rear gear ratio and re-calibrated engine computer for improved acceleration, re-tuned steering with no variable assist, and an external engine oil-to-water cooler. The exterior largely featured black exterior trim with black steel wheels, with the exception of Street Appearance Package models, which donned chrome trim; they looked similar to a base Crown Victoria. During and shortly following its production run, it was the most popular police vehicle in the U.S. and became ubiquitous with law enforcement. Ford has replaced the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with the Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and Ford Police Interceptor Utility, both of which are heavy-duty variants of the Ford Taurus and Ford Explorer, respectively.[36]
The final Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was produced in August 2011 and purchased by the Kansas Highway Patrol.[37]
Long Wheelbase (Taxi/Fleet)
In 2002, Ford introduced a long-wheelbase version of the Crown Victoria featuring a six-inch extension to a 120.7-inch wheelbase. As with the extended-wheelbase Lincoln Town Car L, the long-wheelbase Crown Victoria was modified through the use of a longer frame and longer rear doors; all additional interior room was added to the rear seat. Unavailable on retail Crown Victoria models, the seating surfaces had the option of being entirely vinyl, the rear seats had their own HVAC vents with dual on/off switches, and strap handles were added to the rear door panels. Additionally, the long-wheelbase Crown Victoria featured several heavy-duty features to accommodate use in taxi applications including heavy-duty front springs and shocks; a rear stabilizer bar; auxiliary oil to air coolers for both the power steering and transmission; steel wheels (shared with the Police Interceptor); frame reinforcements in critical locations; and a heavy-duty battery.[38] Beginning in 2006, an engine idle hour meter, similar to that found in the Police Interceptor, was made standard equipment. On the exterior, the chrome trim was deleted in favor of all-black trim, like the Police model.
While not offered for retail sale in North America, the long-wheelbase Crown Victoria was available for fleet sales targeting the taxi and livery markets. From 2002 to 2006, a special-service version was offered for law-enforcement sale (though not as a Police Interceptor) with chrome street-appearance trim from 2002 to 2004. For GCC export (see below), Ford offered long-wheelbase versions of both the Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis for retail sale.
Short Wheelbase (Fleet)
A short-wheelbase fleet model, with many of the same features as the long-wheelbase version, was available for sale beginning in 2002. Like its long wheelbase counterpart, it was not available for retail sale.
End of retail sales and transition to fleet sales (2008–2011)
In 2006, after factoring out fleet/Police Interceptor sales (95% of production),[39] retail sales of the Crown Victoria dwindled to 3,000 (coming within 1,100 units of the Ford GT), outsold by its Mercury Grand Marquis counterpart by an 18-to-1 margin. For 2008, Ford ended retail sales of the Crown Victoria in the United States, removing the model from its website (later replacing it with the newly revived 2008 Ford Taurus). Ford Fleet sales continued the marketing of the Police Interceptor and commercial (taxi/fleet/LWB) variants. Subsequently, the only retail market selling the Ford Crown Victoria was the GCC/Middle East, with the Crown Victoria sold alongside the Mercury Grand Marquis.[40]
For 2009, the Crown Victoria model line underwent a consolidation, as the LX became the sole version of the standard-wheelbase Crown Victoria (alongside the standard Fleet model and Police Interceptor).
For 2010, the Crown Victoria saw changes to its long-running VIN designation for each trim:
Export
Canada
Ford of Canada (the official manufacturer of the Crown Victoria, Police Interceptor, and Mercury Grand Marquis) marketed the Ford Crown Victoria in Canada through the 1999 model year.[41] For the 2000 model year, the Crown Victoria was replaced in retail markets by the Mercury Grand Marquis (sold at Ford dealerships); the Crown Victoria was restricted to fleet sales (consisting largely of the Police Interceptor).
After the 2011 model year, Ford of Canada ended sales of the Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria, and Crown Victoria Police Interceptor; their lack of stability control precluded further official sales in Canada. All three model lines were replaced by the sixth-generation Ford Taurus.
Middle East (GCC)
Through its production, the Ford Crown Victoria was exported to the Gulf Cooperation Council nations alongside its Lincoln-Mercury counterparts. In a region favoring full-size sedans (among other vehicles), the Crown Victoria became popular, as buyers of the region favored its durability, reliability, and ease of use (in comparison to German and British luxury vehicles), along with its lower price. As American nameplates shifted to newer vehicles (with the introduction of the Chrysler 300C
Canada
Ford of Canada (the official manufacturer of the Crown Victoria, Police Interceptor, and Mercury Grand Marquis) marketed the Ford Crown Victoria in Canada through the 1999 model year.[41] For the 2000 model year, the Crown Victoria was replaced in retail markets by the Mercury Grand Marquis (sold at Ford dealerships); the Crown Victoria was restricted to fleet sales (consisting largely of the Police Interceptor).
After the 2011 model year, Ford of Canada ended sales of the Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria, and Crown Victoria Police Interceptor; their lack of stability control precluded further official sales in Canada. All three model lines were replaced by the sixth-generation Ford Taurus.
Middle East (GCC)
Through its production, the Ford Crown Victoria was exported to the Gulf Cooperation Council nations alongside its Lincoln-Mercury counterparts. In a region favoring full-size sedans (among other vehicles), the Crown Victoria became popular, as buyers of the region favored its durability, reliability, and ease of use (in comparison to German and British luxury vehicles), along with its lower price. As American nameplates shifted to newer vehicles (with the introduction of the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger, and the Chevrolet Caprice becoming a variant of the Holden Caprice), during the 2000s, the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car, while still popular, began to lose market share, primarily due to their age.
Panther-chassis sedans destined for Middle East export were referred to as "GCC-Spec" vehicles. Five versions of the Crown Victoria were available: Standard, Sport, Long-wheelbase, LX, and LX Sport. Unlike the United States and Canada, the long-wheelbase Crown Victoria was available for retail sale. In Kuwait, where the Crown Victoria was outsold by the higher-trim Mercury Grand Marquis, only the Standard and Long-wheelbase versions were sold after 2000 (the LX was discontinued in 1999).
Modifications from North American vehicles
Along with a metric instrument panel, several modifications are made to the GCC-Spec Crown Victoria. In place of the 50/50 bench seat of the standard Crown Victoria, GCC-Spec vehicles use a 40/20/40 bench seat.
Modifications from North American vehicles
Along with a metric instrument panel, several modifications are made to the GCC-Spec Crown Victoria. In place of the 50/50 bench seat of the standard Crown Victoria, GCC-Spec vehicles use a 40/20/40 bench seat. Derived from the Lincoln Town Car, the front console assembly has air conditioning vents for the rear seats (except for LX Sport models), an eight-way driver's seat, a four-way manual passenger seat (an eight-way power seat as an option); seat upholstery is either cloth or leather. On all standard-wheelbase models, a true dual-exhaust system was fitted (not available on a U.S. Crown Victoria). On Standard and Standard Long-Wheelbase models, a driver's side spotlight assembly was optional. A DVD entertainment system (marketed as Export DVD Entertainment System) was added for the 2007 model year, it was optional on Sport, LX, and LX Sport models.
Differing from its North American counterpart, the warranty offered for a GCC-spec Crown Victoria was 5 years/200,000 kilometers (125,000 miles) – whichever came first.
Derived from the Mercury Marauder, a trunk-lid spoiler was either standard or an option on all standard-wheelbase models. For GCC-spec vehicles, the optional Handling and Performance Package (HPP) offered in the United States was rebranded the Export Handling Package (EHP). The EHP differed from the HPP largely by its retention of the 2.73:1 rear axle ratio (the base axle) and the use of a true dual exhaust system (standard equipment on all standard-wheelbase export versions). Included as part of the Sport and LX Sport trims (optional on the LX), the package includes a tuned rear air suspension, revised coil springs, handling shock absorbers, and a larger rear stabilizer bar. On GCC-Spec Crown Victorias, the EHP option is externally distinguished by a monochromatic paint scheme, with Ford offering Dark Toreador Red, Silver Birch, Tungsten, and Black as color choices.
2008 Special Edition
With no major redesign of the Crown Victoria since 1998, to keep the model line competitive, the GCC importer of Ford vehicles designed a commemorative trim package for the 2008 model year. Exclusive to GCC-Spec Standard models, the cosmetic package added several cosmetic features, including a three-bar grille (in the style of the Ford Fusion), Mercury Marauder trunk lid spoiler (derived from EHP), chrome trim on the front and rear bumpers, "Special Edition" logos on the front fenders, trunk lid, and dashboard, as well as an AM/FM/CD Premium stereo.
All other features of the Special Edition are identical to the Standard-trim model. Not listed in any sales literature, it was available in a choice of three different colors. In Kuwait, the Special Edition was only available in black (due to market size); the price was about KWD 6,000 (roughly US$22,000). For 2009, the Special Edition was withdrawn.
