Honda Civics, BMWs with leather seats, and Volvo SUVs: Unusual police cars on Australian roads

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NSW Authorities assessed over 17 car models over three years before deciding
Cars include BMW 5-Series Turbo-Diesel, Volvo XC60, and Chrysler SRT8
The cost of the luxurious cars were lowered to $60K for Australia police

By Camilla Theakstone For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:52 EDT, 4 April 2019 | Updated: 01:52 EDT, 4 April 2019

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Police forces around Australia have unveiled a number of high-performance cars to add to their fleets.

Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons have now been replaced by more luxurious vehicles, such as BMWs and high-performance Chryslers.

Hotted-up Honda Civics, Kia Stingers and Volvo XC60s have also been introduced in some states.

BMW and Chryslers have been unveiled as police cars (pictured) in some states

Victoria set the trend, announcing their Highway Patrol will replace their Falcon and Commodore's with a fleet of turbo diesel BMW 5 Series (pictured), with NSW shortly following suit

Victoria Police set the trend by announcing that their Highway Patrol would replace their Falcon and Commodores, with NSW soon after following suit.

BMW was a popular choice for officers as they are one of the few car manufacturers globally to make cars specifically for police work.

While the new vehicles are fitted with modern technologies, the cost to taxpayers has been lowered from around $120,000 per car to just $60,000.

New technologies include: automatic number plate recognition; multiple mounted cameras; in-car video cameras; weapons and protective gear; fire extinguisher and first aid, to name a few.

Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins said he is 'delighted' to 'take an active role in raising awareness of the Eyewatch program to help make our communities safer'

Likewise, the lesser-known Volvo XC60's have also rolled out across NSW Police Force, serving as highway patrol cars

NEW PATROL CAR TECH:

Automatic number plate recognition
Multiple mounted cameras costing Vic Police $17.3 million
In-car video cameras
Stolen, unregistered or suspect vehicle recognition and alarm system
Radio-communication equipment
Fixed speed-check devices
Weapons and protective gear
Fire extinguisher and first-aid kits
Lights and sirens; traffic cones; vehicle signage
Breath-testing equipment

The police car upgrade is both sophisticated and expensive, but comes as a well-overdue upgrade to take over from a 20-year serving fleet of Holden Commodores and Fords.

Likewise, the lesser-known Volvo XC60's have also rolled out across in NSW, serving as highway patrol cars.

However, not all of the popular sports cars made the latest cut.

Due to safety issues, the Ford Mustang was rejected from the NSW fleet because it had 'fallen foul of new regulations'.

But among the vehicles that did make the cut are the Turbo-diesel BMWs and V8-powered Chrysler sedans.

Likewise, the Chryslers also cost the police around the same price of around $65,000.

The BMW's only costed the polcie around $60,000

Due to safety issues, the Ford Mustang was rejected from the NSW's fleet because it 'fallen foul of new regulations

It comes as a nice comparison to the $50,000 Ford Falcon and Commodore Sedans that police had previously purchased,

The new vehicles will be fitted with the 'authority pack' and bigger brakes, and were selected after authorities assessed the eligibility of 17 vehicles over a period of three years.

Another new addition to the NSW fleet is the Honda Civic Type R hatchback, which is complete with police symbols, tartan and the Eyewatch program logo.

While the BMW's come with the hefty price tag, the Chrysler's are more modest, with a price tag of about $65,000

CAR MODELS PER STATE:

QLD: KIA Stinger Sedans.

NSW: BMW 5 Series, Chrysler and Volvo.

SA: ZB Holden Commodore RS V6

VIC: BMW 5 Series.

WA: KIA Stinger Sedans.

NT: Holden Commodore and Suburu WRX.

TAS: Kia Stinger under review.

'If you see us around, give us a wave, take a photo (not while driving!) and come over and have a chat,' a NSW Police Facebook page post said.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar, said the sponsored vehicle will cost taxpayers nothing.

'The eye-catching design of the vehicle will hopefully be a great conversation starter while on display and get more people, especially younger people, more comfortable with approaching their local police,' he said.

In both Queensland and Western Australia, the Kia Stinger has been announced as their latest addition.

The Stinger was selected after a 6-month assessment program and is priced at less than $60,000.

Likewise to NSW, the sporty Stinger is set to replace both state's fleet of Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon pursuit vehicles

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