I've been looking around (google) and I can't seem to find an answer. I know there's a really popular CVPI model up for download right now but it's a 2011 model and I wanted to know if that is accurate. 

2011 year model is correct. The quality of the car mod itself isn't very great. I'd recommend waiting for a better FCV model.

In real life, the LAPD don't have any 2011 CVPI's. In 2010 and 2011, severe budget cuts caused them to not be able to purchase vehicles. I believe the newest they have are mostly 2009's and some 2010's (assuming 2010 model year vehicles rolled off the production line in August 2009 like most cars). Definitely no 2011's, and if there are, they're likely administrative vehicles. Even then I'm doubtful. Most of their CVPI's still in service are 04-10's. I've heard rumors that some are even older. A few summers ago they still had a '97 in service. In general they keep vehicles longer than any other department I can think of. Obviously they don't keep all of their vehicles this long, some are retired after only 5-6 years. It mainly depends how how severely used and the overall condition of the vehicle. 

06-10 in comparison to the 2011 are nearly identical vehicles, other than the supersized headrests in the 2011. And to this day I haven't seen any LAPD cruisers with these headrests, which tells me that they don't have any 2011's. 

03-10 style headrests:

 

 

2011:

 

 

So, if you're going for accuracy in your game - then no, it's probably not accurate. But all 2011 Crown Victoria models made for GTA IV and GTA V do not capture the updated headrest, and retain the older style headrest (likely an oversight since it's a pretty unknown model update most people don't realize) , so in theory, the 2011 Crown Victoria you're downloading is really just an 06-10, it's just called a 2011 model. So, in that regard, there is no harm in using it for accuracy purposes. 

I feel guilty saying this, but I probably have more knowledge regarding the panther platform and its usage than most people on here. If you or anyone in general have any questions, feel free to ask me. I consider myself highly knowledgeable with these vehicles. I used to own one, and my father has owned several, and ever since I was young I've worked on them. 

Edited October 8, 201510 yr by Original Light

In real life, the LAPD don't have any 2011 CVPI's. In 2010 and 2011, severe budget cuts caused them to not be able to purchase vehicles. I believe the newest they have are mostly 2009's and some 2010's (assuming 2010 model year vehicles rolled off the production line in August 2009 like most cars). Definitely no 2011's, and if there are, they're likely administrative vehicles. Even then I'm doubtful. Most of their CVPI's still in service are 04-10's. I've heard rumors that some are even older. A few summers ago they still had a '97 in service. In general they keep vehicles longer than any other department I can think of. Obviously they don't keep all of their vehicles this long, some are retired after only 5-6 years. It mainly depends how how severely used and the overall condition of the vehicle. 

06-10 in comparison to the 2011 are nearly identical vehicles, other than the supersized headrests in the 2011. And to this day I haven't seen any LAPD cruisers with these headrests, which tells me that they don't have any 2011's. 

03-10 style headrests:

 

Hidden Content

2011:

 

Hidden Content

 

So, if you're going for accuracy in your game - then no, it's probably not accurate. But all 2011 Crown Victoria models made for GTA IV and GTA V do not capture the updated headrest, and retain the older style headrest (likely an oversight since it's a pretty unknown model update most people don't realize) , so in theory, the 2011 Crown Victoria you're downloading is really just an 06-10, it's just called a 2011 model. So, in that regard, there is no harm in using it for accuracy purposes. 

I feel guilty saying this, but I probably have more knowledge regarding the panther platform and its usage than most people on here. If you or anyone in general have any questions, feel free to ask me. I consider myself highly knowledgeable with these vehicles. I used to own one, and my father has owned several, and ever since I was young I've worked on them. 

Thanks a bunch! This is exactly the kind of information that I can't seem to find anywhere else on the internet. So just to clarify, are you saying that 06-10 and 2011 models all look exactly the same from the outside? 

Also, since you seem very knowledgeable, I have a a bunch of other questions I've always had about the CVPI (and LAPD Fleet) but couldn't get answers to :D 

1. What are the rules for hubcaps? Why do some LAPD CVPIs have them and others don't? Most of the ones I've seen represented in media always have hubcaps. 

2. What is the most common lightbar on LAPD CVPIs? Code 3 MX-7000 or some kind of Arjent? 

3. Why did the LAPD buy Chargers? Are they intended to replace or simply supplement CVPIs? Also, what model year are the Chargers that are in service now? :) 

Sorry for the question spam. I've always been fascinated with the LAPD and I want my LSPDFR experience to be as accurate as possible. 

No problem. Glad I can help. Yes, 06-10 and 2011 vehicles look identical from the outside and the inside, other than the headrests on the 2011. Though from 09-2011, there was a "Flex Fuel" badge on the right side of the rear fascia. And 09-2011 had updated window switches, which are now recessed and rectangular in shape to comply with new federal safety standards. Otherwise, the dashboard is the same, gauges are the same, the exterior is the same, and so on. 

1. I believe that the older units have the black rims, while the newer units have the plastic 10-slot rims. Which explains why there's more of the units with plastic rims, mainly because they're newer units. There really is no reason as to why they ordered different ones with different rims. Maybe they figured that the plastic rims looked more professional. But in all honesty the black rims can take more of a beating, mainly because there's nothing that can really fall off. If you go over huge bumps or pot holes with the plastic rims, they can possibly pop off. 

2. The most common lightbar on LAPD CVPI's are Arjent lightbars. Before 2005 or so, they used the MX7000 on all of their regular patrol vehicles. So since most of the pre-2005 vehicles are out of their fleet now, you rarely see any of them around. Though the gang unit slicktops (the vehicles without the lightbar) seem to generally be older vehicles. Since they have black rims and from what I've seen in a lot of the interiors, most of them are 04-05 vehicles. Possibly suggesting that the gang units are underfunded, or generally run vehicles longer. Their older slicktop vehicles are equipped with halogen dash/window lights, while the newer ones (likely 07-10) have LED dash/window lights. Also they have unmarked vehicles equipped with the SAP package (Street Appearance Package) that have a chrome grille, chrome door handles, chrome rear fascia applique, bench seat, and carpet. This is used for detectives, administrators, and undercover officers, but uniform officers drive them too.

3. The LAPD bought 2006-2010 Chargers as an experiment. When they heard the CVPI was going out of production, they wanted to see if the Charger was a worthy replacement. Unfortunately, most departments find that they aren't fit for replacement. Parts are too expensive. They're much less reliable and durable (engine issues, transmission issues, they eat through brakes like crazy, front end issues, electrical issues, among many more), and they're also very tight inside. Which makes it uncomfortable to patrol in 8-10 hours a day. This doesn't surprise me, Chrysler has always been the redheaded stepchild in the automotive vehicle industry. I think they make some good vehicles, especially their older vehicles from the 1960's to the late 1980's. Their Dodge Diplomats were bulletproof, but sadly the new Dodge Charger is a far cry from that vehicle. 

The LAPD currently have newer Dodge Chargers (2013-2014), equipped with the V6 engine. But it looks like the Ford Explorer is going to be their next bread and butter patrol vehicle, like most departments across the country. The Explorers are mechanically solid (whether as much as the Crown Vic is still unknown), and have more room than the Taurus and Charger. The Caprice is ending production in 2017, so I hardly consider it a contender in the police market due to poor sales. But I wish it had more of a chance, since it's a good car with decent room. The main issue is that it was produced in Australia, making it more expensive and parts hard to come by.

Edited October 8, 201510 yr by Original Light

Oh my, Ford Explorers all over the place, I really don't like the sound of that. I'm not an American, but I've always seen the FCV as the main workhorse for the police, can't imagine all cops driving SUVs. Oh well, I'll just stick with sedans in the virtual world.

Oh my, Ford Explorers all over the place, I really don't like the sound of that. I'm not an American, but I've always seen the FCV as the main workhorse for the police, can't imagine all cops driving SUVs. Oh well, I'll just stick with sedans in the virtual world.

Yeah but sadly cars don't last forever. CVPI'S can't be kept forever. It's a liability to respond to situations where a second can make the difference between life and death in a unreliable, worn out vehicle. Sure they can restore them, but it doesn't change the fact that they're unsafe by today's standards and inefficient. That and I feel as if SUV'S are better for cops anyway. They're more versatile, off road capable, and can carry a lot of gear. You're higher up and can stand up while interviewing suspects in the back of your car, instead of having to bend over or kneel. Among many other advantages.

Edited October 8, 201510 yr by Original Light

Yeah but sadly cars don't last forever. CVPI'S can't be kept forever. It's a liability to respond to situations where a second can make the difference between life and death in a unreliable, worn out vehicle. Sure they can restore them, but it doesn't change the fact that they're unsafe by today's standards and inefficient. That and I feel as if SUV'S are better for cops anyway. They're more versatile, off road capable, and can carry a lot of gear. You're higher up and can stand up while interviewing suspects in the back of your car, instead of having to bend over or kneel. Among many other advantages.

Its just something to get used to. When the FCV stopped production and the FPI was announced I was also kind of shocked by it, but I have gotten used to the Interceptor. The same will happen with the Utility Vehicle, its just a huge change after seeing the same type of car for over a decade.

Its just something to get used to. When the FCV stopped production and the FPI was announced I was also kind of shocked by it, but I have gotten used to the Interceptor. The same will happen with the Utility Vehicle, its just a huge change after seeing the same type of car for over a decade.

Yeah. When the redesigned Crown Victoria came out in 1998, people were probably saying "Hey, that doesn't look like a cop car!", "Those look weird! I don't like it!" and so on. But look what happened, it become a huge symbol of law enforcement, and is probably one of the most famous and iconic vehicles ever created. I don't think the same will happen with the Explorer, simply because it's not used in Taxi fleets and other industries like the Crown Victoria was. At least not yet. But even then, it doesn't have an outdated, distinguished styling that made the Crown Victoria stand out - even when they were still new it was considered a 13-year-old design.

I like the idea of the new Explorers in general as they make sense in my area (and yours since you live in Connecticut which can have crazy New England winters). I hate how they're actually built, though. An officer told me they are basically a Taurus chassis with an SUV body on top of it, no select-able four wheel drive, only AWD, V6 engine instead of a V8 despite the weight gain, top heavy (obviously), bad on fuel compared to the Taurus and slow. He said the Taurus would be a good car if it could fit spike strips in the back with all of their gear, but they cant. It's also extremely cramped for the passenger up front. I had to ride with my left leg pointed towards the door the last time I was in one due to where the computer was seated. It's really only fit for one occupant in some setups, and departments for bigger cities often have two officers per car. I also find the new Explorers extremely ugly, especially the police versions. Civilian ones are passable, but the Expeditions look a lot more formidable.

Ford needs to actually develop individual cars for police and stop being lazy by ripping off their already flawed designs. I drive an Explorer now, and I like some things about it, but the Chevrolet Trailblazer I had before it was much better. More horsepower, much, much better ride quality, better fuel mileage. The build quality on both of them are terrible, sadly. The Ford is slightly worse.

Edited October 9, 201510 yr by unr3al

Yeah. I agree with you on the engine. Though the 365 HP Ecoboost should be fine, it makes about just as much power as the 5.0 V8 (and it's been proven that the Ecoboost is  better for towing) but it has to work harder since it's a V6. It sucks down gas and it acts somewhat sluggish in reality, while on paper it's supposed to be similar performance. 

Its just something to get used to. When the FCV stopped production and the FPI was announced I was also kind of shocked by it, but I have gotten used to the Interceptor. The same will happen with the Utility Vehicle, its just a huge change after seeing the same type of car for over a decade.

Getting used to something is one thing. Liking the thing is another.

I'm going to miss the Sedans.

@OP:  Okay, you wont believe what I found. I think I actually think I found a 2011 LAPD CVPI. You have no idea how rare this is, I've been searching for years. I'm not 100% positive though, but the car all the way to the right in this picture looks like a 2011 (based on the headrests which you can barely make out). If this is in fact a 2011, it's very very rare and I'd say it might be one in a few. Since... going by my logic... if there's at least one, there has to be more.

https://flic.kr/p/oHV8CE    

 

 

Edited October 12, 201510 yr by Original Light

@OP:  Okay, you wont believe what I found. I think I actually think I found a 2011 LAPD CVPI. You have no idea how rare this is, I've been searching for years. I'm not 100% positive though, but the car all the way to the right in this picture looks like a 2011 (based on the headrests which you can barely make out). If this is in fact a 2011, it's very very rare and I'd say it might be one in a few. Since... going by my logic... if there's at least one, there has to be more.

https://flic.kr/p/oHV8CE    

 

 

Wow, great find. Maybe you can confirm if it's true soon? Btw, I'm still thinking of more question for you :) 

Most of their CVPI's still in service are 04-10's. I've heard rumors that some are even older. A few summers ago they still had a '97 in service.

This is seriously true.  I recently purchased a 2002 CVPI that came from the LAPD.  It went into auction in April 2015 with 115k miles on it.  It was a slicktop (no holes in roof), was possibly involved in a pursuit as a lead unit vs a Caddy Escalade.  They used the "grandma" style hubcaps on it that came on the older (98-02) models.  I've since swapped them to center caps.  But doing the math, that Crown Vic being a 2002 was in service for quite some time.  Even if we say it sat in lot prior to auction for a year or two, we're still looking at 10 years of service off of a P71.

 

But agencies are holding onto their vehicles longer and longer it seems.  Anaheim PD in Orange County CA still has a 9C1 Caprice in their motorpool (presumably a '96).  It's been seen by my wife patrolling Anaheim Stadium.  Its pretty damn beat, but still not beat enough to retire it.  I'm assuming its gotta be up there in mileage though.