Ford Interceptor Concept and the Lost Future of the Crown Victoria

Ford presented the Interceptor Concept in 2007 as a modern Crown Victoria alternative. Learn why this rear-wheel-drive sedan never reached production.

In 2007, Ford revealed a concept that hinted at a very different future for the American full-size sedan. The Ford Interceptor Concept was envisioned as a modern reinterpretation of the Crown Victoria, a name long associated with U.S. highways and police fleets. Despite its ambition, the project never advanced beyond the concept stage.

Unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, the Interceptor stood out by combining classic full-size sedan proportions with hardware borrowed from the fifth-generation Mustang. It was built on a stretched S197 platform, retaining rear-wheel drive and a live rear axle—an approach that already ran counter to the broader market shift taking place at the time.

Its exterior design drew inspiration from Ford’s large sedans of the 1960s, including the Galaxie and LTD. Broad surfaces and restrained lines emphasized solidity and presence rather than fashion. The interior echoed that philosophy, featuring analog gauges, a wide dashboard, and a notable absence of touchscreens, even as digital interfaces were becoming the norm elsewhere.

Power came from a 5.0-liter Ford Racing Cammer V8 rated at 400 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Ford did not publish torque figures, but the drivetrain choice made the concept’s intent clear: the Interceptor was positioned as a muscle sedan rather than a purely comfort-oriented flagship.

The design was led by Peter Horbury, whose earlier work at Volvo had reshaped that brand’s visual identity in the late 1990s. Horbury described the Interceptor as refined on the surface, yet visibly capable of delivering raw power—a description that captured the balance Ford was aiming for.

Ultimately, the Interceptor never reached production. Ford instead transitioned to the sixth-generation Taurus, built on the front-wheel-drive-based D3 platform derived from Volvo’s P2 architecture. This move aligned with a broader strategy as Ford gradually withdrew from traditional sedans. Crown Victoria production ended in 2011, and the Taurus followed in 2019, closing the chapter on Ford’s full-size sedans in the U.S.

Today, the Interceptor stands as a reminder of an alternative path—one rooted in rear-wheel drive, heritage, and enthusiast appeal. The market moved in a different direction, but the concept remains a clear snapshot of a moment when the future of the American sedan had not yet been fully decided.