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1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA FOUR DOOR SEDAN

by: BILL RUSS

SEE ALSO:Ford Buyer's Guide

For 1995 Ford's full-size Crown Victoria boasts an all-new interior with many comfort and convenience improvements. The exterior displays new trim and body refinements.

The Crown Victoria has been Ford's large four-door six-passenger flagship since its debut in 1979. In that first year it was known as the Ford LTD. After its introduction, Crown Victoria seemed a more regal name that was well-suited to the largest and most opulent model in the Ford lineup. In 1992 its traditional three-box design was superseded by a new rounded Taurus-style body. At the same time a new powertrain was introduced, utilizing a more powerful modular V8 engine and a new electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission based on those used in the Lincoln Mark VIII.

Since its introduction the Crown Vic has kept up with the times. Over the years it has changed through continuous improvement and revision from a big, soft, and boxy sedan of the seventies into a trimmer, more powerful and luxurious highway and town cruiser for the nineties.

The 1995 Crown Victoria demonstrates that a world-class, full-sized luxury sedan built in North America can successfully compete with the best in the world in its class.

APPEARANCE: What gives the latest Crown Vic its new look are the redesigned front and rear bumper fascias with revised grille and taillight design and twin exhaust pipes. The trunk lid is now made of aluminum and has a wider opening and lower liftover height. Its overall shape remains as before with a large cabin, hood and rear deck. While the overall car looks bold, its discrete side sculpture, side window trim, and all around bumper trim add a touch of class. Goodyear Eagle GA all-season touring tires mounted on new cast alloy sport wheels hint at its touring and handling potential.

COMFORT: With its spacious interior the Crown Vic has plenty of head, seat and leg room for six adults, and a trunk to match for luggage or gear. All of the options installed on our test car added about 15 percent to the base price and changed it from a large sedan to a very reasonably priced luxury sedan. The front split bench seat offers good comfort for two, and can accommodate three passengers. All seating surfaces are leather and the front ones are infinitely power adjustable and have a memory setting switch. The location of the AM/FM/cassette sound system and the new standard automatic temperature controls have been reversed so that the radio is on top where it is more visible and easier to see and use. The rear mirror automatically dims, while the body colored outside mirrors are heated and can fold back for clearance. Remote keyless entry is another feature as is the illuminated entry system with its theater-type dimming lighting, and the battery saver which automatically shuts off all lamps after a 10 minute delay. The climate system has new under seat ducts for rear passengers, the Premium JBL Audio system provides excellent sound dynamics.

SAFETY: The Crown Victoria continues to use the solid body on ladder frame construction that provides a very firm foundation for the suspension and resists impact damage. Dual front air bags and knee bolsters plus three point seat belts on all outboard seats and adjustable shoulder height for the front passengers protect occupants assist passenger safety. Variable assist power steering, and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes insure safe stopping on a variety of road and weather conditions.

ROADABILITY: Because of its suspension dynamics the Crown Vic is a large car that rides and handles like a much smaller one. The ride is soft but well-damped and it takes highway or rough city streets with aplomb. Ford's handling and performance package includes larger gas-pressurized shocks, stiffer springs, larger stabilizer bars and a load-leveling air suspension system. The traction assist system works with the ABS to insure positive traction in slippery road conditions. PERFORMANCE: The Crown Vic's 4.6 liter V8 engine has withstood the test of time. This 16-valve, single overhead cam, sequentially multi-port fuel injected V8 engine delivers 210 smooth and nicely tuned horsepower to the rear wheels. The wide-ratio four-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission has had it gear ratios revised to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) while still producing very smooth and accurate shift points.

CONCLUSION: With its improved design and performance Ford is vividly demonstrating that the Crown Victoria is a full-size, fully equipped vehicle for a wide range of income and age groups.

SPECIFICATIONS:
1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA LX FOUR-DOOR SEDAN

           
           Base Price              $ 21,970
           Price As Tested         $ 26,380
           Engine Type             V-8, sohc - 16v, mpfi
           Engine Size             4.6 liter/281 cid   
           Horsepower              210 @ 4600
           Torque (ft/lbs)         270 @ 3400
           Wheelbase/Length        114"/212"  
           Transmission            4-speed EC automatic w/od
           Curb Weight             4020
           Pounds per Horsepower   19  
           Fuel Capacity           20
           Fuel Requirement        Unleaded regular  (87 octane)
           Tires                   Goodyear Eagle GA  P225/60R16 all-season
           Brakes                  anti-lock optional    vented disc/disc
           Drive Train             front engine,  rear drive
           
            
           
                         PERFORMANCE    
           
           EPA Economy - miles per gallon,        
             city/highway/observed         18/25/22.8  
           0 to 60 mph                      9.7 sec
           1/4 mi (E.T.)                    17.2 sec           
           Coefficient of drag (cd)         .34