Flying squad is here: Midlands force's latest patrol car is a 168mph Lotus
By CHARLOTTE GILL
Last updated at 11:12 AM on 13th January 2011
Last updated at 11:12 AM on 13th January 2011
For any villain considering trying to outrun the law, it is a sight to induce dread.
With a top speed of 168mph, this is the fastest police car in Britain.
Lotus has donated one of its latest Evora models to help police stay one step ahead of criminals and speeding drivers.
Life in the fast lane: The Lotus Evora costs £50,000 and can go from 0-60mph in less than five seconds
The vehicle, which usually costs £50,000, is the first elite sports car to be used by a UK police force.
It is on loan for a two-week trial to a team of officers who will patrol a patch covering 450 miles of highways in the West Midlands. Complete with its police livery, badges and flashing lights, the white supercar will be used on major routes including the M5, M6 and M42 motorways and the M6 toll road.
PC Angus Nairn said: 'It's a very quick car and we hope it will prove an effective deterrent to anyone thinking of speeding or trying to outrun us.
'It has incredible performance yet still does around 30 miles to the gallon. It will attract a lot of attention on the motorways but that is the whole idea - it will remind drivers of the need to keep to ther speed limits at all times.'
Recruitment drive: PC Angus Nairn hopes the new vehicle will prove a deterrent to anyone thinking about taking on the police in a car chase. It might also appeal to people considering a career in law enforcement
FACT FILE
Price: £50,000
0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
Max speed: 168mph
Engine: 280bhp 3.5 litre V6
Performance: 30mpg
PC Steven Rounds, from the Central Motorway Police Group, added: ‘The Lotus is a visually stunning machine which offers us the opportunity to engage with the public and reinforce and promote the life-saving messages of road safety.’
Powered by a 280bhp 3.5 litre V6 engine, the car can hit 60mph in less than five seconds.
It is the latest in a series of eye-catching vehicles used by the traffic unit. Last year it borrowed an HGV to see into the cabs of lorries and catch drivers using mobile phones and laptops at the wheel.
Lotus have previously offered the Sussex force an Exige and loaned out Esprits and Elise models to police, but the Evora puts Britain's police near the summit of the European law-enforcement top performance league table.
The Germans use 155mph Porsche 911s, the French a fleet of Subarus capable of the same speed, but the Italians claim first place - with a specially-adapted Lamborghini Gallardo capable of 192mph.
Unfortunately the car, seized from a convicted drug dealer, was later written off when a careless motorist pulled out in front of it.
Flashy: The supercar is fitted with regular police accessories including emergency lights and livery
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1346563/Midlands-police-forces-latest-squad-car-162mph-Lotus-sportscar.html#ixzz1AvTPNUKB
No comments:
Post a Comment