FIRE Panel LLC conducted new, high-speed crash tests on the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) in November of 2003. These tests used the most current and accepted testing protocols for severe rear-end impacts involving the CVPI. In fact, additional steps were taken to more closely replicate a true real-world impact. These included 18 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline in the fuel tank (instead of the non-flammable Stoddard that is used in testing), two added ignition sources, a warm idling engine in the CVPI and the presence of actual leaking fuel.

In both tests, the impact speed of the Taurus (bullet vehicle) was 79 mph. Each test used exactly the same protocol with the exception that a FIRE Panel was installed on one CVPI and not on the other.
As you will see from the video clips, both of the CVPIs sustained a significant amount of structural damage. The CVPI with the FIRE Panel installed on its fuel tank did NOT experience a fire; however, the CVPI without a FIRE Panel erupted in flames after impact as the leaking fuel ignited. The “Split-Screen” views show each impact simultaneously. You can clearly see the dramatic difference in the results!

If you would like to receive a CD ROM with a complete video documentation of the testing, click here.