The full-size Crown Victoria sedan carves out enough room in the cabin to haul a team of tall basketball players plus heaps of gear bags stuffed into the cavernous trunk.

Editions for 2003 ride on a stiff new frame with hydroformed front rails and redesigned cross members. Also new is a rack and pinion device with variable power for fast response and easy turning of the steering wheel.

Three versions emerge with a base Crown Victoria, the LX series and LX Sport with equipment added for lively handling and higher performance.

There's ample power available from a V8 rigged with high-tech hardware and tuned for low-torque output. The 4.6-liter Ford plant in standard application produces 220 hp, but for the LX Sport it increases to 235 hp.