Ford Crown Victoria Blackhawk

The Blackhawk is to the Ford Crown Vic what the Impala SS was to the standard Chevrolet Caprice. Although Ford officially calls it a concept car, insiders say this bad ride is headed for showrooms next year. Power is provided by a 4.6L SOHC V-8 making 235 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, exhaling through large-diameter exhaust pipes and low-restriction mufflers. This output is up from 220 hp and 265 lb-ft in the quotidian Crown Vic's 4.6.

Strangely, the Crown Vic Blackhawk will compete with Ford's own Mercury Grand Marquis Marauder, a 5.4L V-8-equipped big sedan originally scheduled for production this year. The Marauder will now appear in showrooms after the Blackhawk debuts.

The Crown Vic Blackhawk's 4.6L muscle is fed to the rear wheels through a high-stall 11.25-in. torque converter, a four-speed automatic, a beefy aluminum- driveshaft, and a 3.27:1 axle ratio. Brakes are four-wheel discs with 12.4-in. front vented rotors and 11.1-in. rears. Ford has enhanced the driving dynamics with the same performance handling package available on the standard Vic. That includes a 1-in. drop in height, monotube shocks, and huge P255/45ZR18 tires on alloy wheels.

Design touches reinforce the sedan's night-stick carrying image. Exterior chrome is blacked out, and a bright chrome plate surrounding the floor shifter sets off the wonderfully sinister-looking interior. Black leather buckets and a matching instrument panel trim give the car a "Men in Black" attitude. Bottom line: MIB wannabees will dig this car, and so will everyone who missed the chance to buy an Impala SS.