‘03 Crown Victoria
Ford’s traditional, full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan is given a brand new frame and some major upgrades to the ride including comfort, safety, and steering and handling features for the 2003 model year. The Crown Victoria is most commonly popular with taxicab companies and police squads. More than 80 percent of police pursuit vehicles in the United States and 90 percent of New York taxicabs are Crown Victorias.
Variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering has replaced the old recirculating-ball system, and the front and rear suspensions have been upgraded. The sedan’s turning circle has been reduced by nearly 12 inches. A new dual-rate brake booster automatically applies full braking power in a panic stop during all that crazy traffic. Ford promises that the new, stiffer, full-perimeter frame will contribute to a smoother, more controlled ride and improved handling.
The appearance of the Crown Victoria is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Styling features include wide door openings, wraparound aero headlights and color-keyed bodyside moldings. Riding a 114.7-inch wheelbase, the 2003 model is 212 inches long overall. Standard tires are 16 inches in diameter, and 17-inchers are optional. New wheels are installed on the LX and LX Sport, and the latter model also has a monochromatic exterior.
The incredibly rigidity of the new frame has been increased by 24 percent and vertical bending by 20 percent. The front suspension has a new steel upper control arm, a new aluminum lower arm and steering knuckle, and monotube shock absorbers. The rear shock absorbers are now mounted outboard of the frame rails. Automatic-leveling air springs are optional on some models.
Five or six occupants fit inside the Crown Vic, depending on whether a bench or bucket seats are installed in the front. An overhead console is now standard in the LX and LX Sport models. The fore and aft travel distance of the eight-way power driver’s seat has been increased by an inch. The sedan’s trunk holds 20.6 cubic feet of cargo, and a trunk organizer is offered as an option.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, remote keyless entry, a cassette/CD stereo system, and power windows, door locks and mirrors. All Crown Vics except the base model have a door-mounted keyless-entry pad with five buttons that are used to enter a code. A SmartLock anti-lockout system prevents the driver’s door from locking if the key is left in the ignition.
The Crown Vic’s 4.6-liter V-8 engine produces 224 horsepower and 272 pounds-feet of torque; it teams with a four-speed-automatic transmission. Optional all-speed traction control uses the antilock braking system and throttle intervention to manage wheelspin. A more potent 239-hp version of that engine is equipped with a dual exhaust system.