1997 Ford Crown Victoria Driving Impressions Review at Automotive.com
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1997 Ford Crown Victoria Review: Road Test

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1997 Ford Crown Victoria Review

An enduring, endearing tradtional.
Driving Impressions
Ford's corporate 4.6-liter V8, coupled with a four-speed electronic

transmission, provides adequate power for easy cruising. If you want a

little extra oomph, the optional performance and handling package integrates

dual exhausts and thus increases the horsepower by 20, from 190 for the

standard engine to 210, a difference that's distinctly tangible.

The performance package also stiffens the suspension somewhat, lending

a little more authority to the handling without sacrificing much in the

way of ride quality.

A third engine option may be just the ticket for buyers in rural areas.

The Crown Victoria can be ordered with the V8 retuned and dedicated to

operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). The CNG engine has been reworked

to increase the compression ratio from 9.1 to 10.1 for the natural gas

version.

There is a performance penalty involved, but it's a small one. The CNG

version produces 175 hp at 4500 rpm and 235 pound-feet of torque at 3500

rpm. The carrying capacity of the trunk is also reduced a bit--from 20

cubic feet to 14 --in order to accommodate the four type-2 CNG tanks and

their internal solenoid shut-off valving. The spare was also relocated

underneath the car to maintain trunk space.

Why CNG? There are two good reasons. First, it's the cleanest-burning

of all fossil fuels. Although catalytic converters have all but elminated

exhaust emissions in new gasoline cars, there's still that first minute

of operation before catalyst light-off.

Second, and perhaps more compelling, natural gas is exceptionally kind

to internal combustion engines. Even the newer reformulated gasolines produce

corrosive by-products that are absent in CNG, so you can expect a CNG engine

to endure indefinitely.

Since this is a factory-produced vehicle (as opposed to an aftermarket

conversion) it carries full warranty and service protection, and can be

ordered directly through Ford dealerships.

Whichever powerplant option you select, the ride will be smooth, effortless

and quiet. And the power available for passing, merging or just cruising

the highways and byways will be more than adequate. Next Page



1997 Ford Crown Victoria