Aussie Cops get Alfa Romeo MiTo Police Car

We won't go as far as calling it an interceptor, but Sydney's Rose Bay Police is the latest law enforcement force in Australia to get an Alfa Romeo police car. The MiTo is the most recent in a series of cars provided by the Italian automaker to police forces around Australia.

Despite Alfa's [marketing] sporty claims though, the MiTo is obviously not the best option to patrol the highways of a country that still takes pride in big V8 cars. That said, it comes to no surprise that the Rose Bay police officers will use the car for the most part to help them connect with local communities.

"Despite being marked up as a police vehicle, we don't use the MiTo for normal police work, it is used for community policing, it's a great way of building rapport in the community and certainly helps us get out our safe driving messages," said Chief Superintendent Bradley Shepherd.

"The MiTo frees up normal police cars so they can be out on the roads, not only helping to save lives but also helping to fight crime and build relationships with local businesses and community groups," Shepherd added.

Ford to Provide NYPD with Fusion / Escape Hybrid Patrol Cars

Not to be left behind in the quest to clean up our planet, the NYPD announced that it will be adding 200 hybrid vehicles to its fleet in the form of Ford Fusion and Escape Hybrids.

The announcement comes after officers across the five boroughs began testing copped-out Nissan Altima hybrids this time last year.

NYPD spokesman John McCarthy explains, "These [Altimas] were the first hybrids outfitted with a police package being used for patrol. We wanted to see how they held up after being subjected to use on patrol. After a year of use, the feedback has been positive."

With the new purchase, hybrid fleet vehicles in the Big Apple will number more than 400. The result is saving money on a variety of levels: the hybrids' brakes last twice (or even three times) as long as those of standard cruisers, and the vehicles are two to three times more efficient.

By Phil Alex

Via: NYT [Opening Photo: flickr /av8pix]

Bavarian Cops Testing BMW X3 Police Car

The Bavarian State Police has begun testing a prototype version of the BMW X3 fitted with all the necessary equipment to patrol the German highways. The all-wheel drive X3 police car is powered by a 218HP turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine and comes equipped with more LED lights than a Las Vegas Christmas tree show. You can check out the rest of the pictures right after the jump.

First Jaguar XF Police Cars go on Duty in the UK

Almost a year after the announcement on the development of a police package for the new Jaguar XF, and the first ever pursuit versions of the British saloon are about to go on patrol across the Midlands.

The Central Motorway Police Group, which patrols motorways across Staffordshire, Mercia and the West Midlands, has bought seven high performance Police-spec XFs. All are based on the Diesel S model that features a 3.0-liter unit churning out 275-horsepower and 443lb-ft of peak torque, while still returning 42mpg UK and a CO2 rating of 179 g/km.

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director for Jaguar Cars UK, said: "Police forces across the country have been evaluating the XF and we are delighted that the team at the Central Motorway Police Group has chosen Jaguar to join its fleet."

The police-spec XFs get a special package that includes a roof mounted light bar with 3600 blue flashing lights and integrated side alley lights, blue and white flashing LED lights inside the front grille, side mounted blue flashing LED lights, blue and red flashing LED lights integrated in the rear light clusters and a Home Office-specification electronics 'Police pack'.

The seven Jaguar XFs will be put to work immediately throughout the Midlands.

Copped-out: 1957 Chevy Military Police Car for Sale

Found for sale at the Volo Auto Museum is this 1957 Chevrolet 150 Military Police car. Owned by a Chevy collector and former MP (who drove a car "identical to this one"), it's got a 3-speed automatic and is going for $24,998.

It's fully-restored, stripped, and has a functioning "gumball light" and siren. Fair warning: by "stripped", they do mean stripped: it's got no cigarette lighter, no radio, and no clock. What it DOES have is a driver's armrest. Check out the museum-quality pics after the break.

By Phil Alex

Link: Volocars