Police hit speed bump to replace Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore highway patrol cars - Page 3

In Focus · 21-02-2016, 08:16 PM

Volvo S60?

Or one from left field... the next generation Megane RS is supposed to be a dual clutch auto.

**DFB FGXR6** · 21-02-2016, 08:29 PM

How is it that for decades Police forces have used relatively affordable vehicles from mainstream brands and now suddenly they should be considering BMW's, Benz's and Audi's at inflated prices. Who pays for these again?

xxx000 · 21-02-2016, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

How is it that for decades Police forces have used relatively affordable vehicles from mainstream brands and now suddenly they should be considering BMW's, Benz's and Audi's at inflated prices. Who pays for these again?

it all depends on the changeover

Trump · 21-02-2016, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

I'd imagine the beemers servicing and repairs would be substantially more. Initial price is only a part of it. Depreciation of euro models would be an issue aswell.

That's the kicker when it comes to maintenance. BeeEmm dealers are highway robber barons compared to Ford or Holden, hell they even make Honda dealers look cheap. What I think might happen is that they will hold onto them for the duration of the warranty and flog them off the day after it has expired.

ozpacman · 21-02-2016, 09:18 PM

Speaking from experience, the interior space of the vehicle certainly comes into play for the operational police officers.

Yeah sure, most people can fit into a smaller car quite comfortably, even those with a bit of extra 'condition' on.

Now put on a utility belt that carries a holstered firearm, spare rounds in carriers, handcuffs in a pouch, capsicum spray in a pouch, an extendable baton, a torch, a taser in a holster and a portable radio in its holder. Add an operational vest with body worn video, notebook and so on and you can start to see why space is at a premium.

A Camry/Aurion size general duties vehicle is about the lower size limit in that environment, and even then the rear passenger compartment is too tight once the safety barrier is fitted. And believe me, with the caliber of 'clients' we're dealing with more and more regularly that barrier is essential.

Personally I think we'll start to see more vans like the Hyundai iload put into regular service.

GXL078 · 21-02-2016, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I think the State police forces should just stockpile and buy up the last of the XR6T's and SS's. That should cover them over for the next 3 or 4 years.
Do a bulk buy deal with Ford & Holden, and save them having to buy $60K cars for awhile.

They should buy the factory and keep turning them out, then flog 'em to us when they have had their fun with them.

GXL078 · 21-02-2016, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozpacman

Personally I think we'll start to see more vans like the Hyundai iload put into regular service.

Have fun keeping them upright.

The Monty · 21-02-2016, 10:57 PM

Plenty of Iloads up here in QLD, has been for years and cant remember a rollover with one. They are actually not a bad police vehicle for GDs crews. Plenty of space, reasonable on fuel, get aces fast enough and a cage in the back. You sit nice and high too which is handy.

Agree with pacman, Aurion/camry is about as narrow as Id like to go, tight squeeze with a belt and vest on.

malazn mafia · 21-02-2016, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GXL078

They should buy the factory and keep turning them out, then flog 'em to us when they have had their fun with them.

The Police should buy Geelong and Broadmeadows assembly plants, build Police Falcons and Territories using convict labour. Voila, no more high labour costs, union strikes, and prisoners are finally good for something instead of being on paid vacation... Hell, we could even become viable exporters again and beat the Chinese and Thais at their own game with such cheap production. Wasn't Australia itself built by convicts anyway? Worked back then, should work now, political correctness aside..,

hackney · 22-02-2016, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

How is it that for decades Police forces have used relatively affordable vehicles from mainstream brands and now suddenly they should be considering BMW's, Benz's and Audi's at inflated prices. Who pays for these again?

You do! As a tax payer.

Trump · 22-02-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

How is it that for decades Police forces have used relatively affordable vehicles from mainstream brands and now suddenly they should be considering BMW's, Benz's and Audi's at inflated prices. Who pays for these again?

It is because the 5-series/E-Class/A6 sedans (hi-po versions) are the only things on the current market that come close to the XR6T/SS pair in terms of size, performance and function.

GXL078 · 22-02-2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

VE was a horrible waste of a billion dollars, but VF is the most falcon-like commodore ever. Looks like the lame lion finally caught up, or pinched some talent from Ford PD. Steering wheel mounted cruise control, air con vents mounted in the dash instead of being stupidly mounted on the front door trims with suction pipes linking them to the dash, decent 6cyl exhaust note, good ergonomics.

I think the VF has a lot of Cadillac bits on it.

**DFB FGXR6** · 22-02-2016, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

It is because the 5-series/E-Class/A6 sedans (hi-po versions) are the only things on the current market that come close to the XR6T/SS pair in terms of size, performance and function.

Commodore replacement in a few years will be a twin turbo V6 and it will be certainly cheaper than a BMW 5 series of similar power.

Trump · 22-02-2016, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Commodore replacement in a few years will be a twin turbo V6 and it will be certainly cheaper than a BMW 5 series of similar power.

Source?

**DFB FGXR6** · 22-02-2016, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Source?

Pretty much accepted wisdom

**thefargo** · 22-02-2016, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

The Police should buy Geelong and Broadmeadows assembly plants, build Police Falcons and Territories using convict labour. Voila, no more high labour costs, union strikes, and prisoners are finally good for something instead of being on paid vacation... Hell, we could even become viable exporters again and beat the Chinese and Thais at their own game with such cheap production. Wasn't Australia itself built by convicts anyway? Worked back then, should work now, political correctness aside..,

if by Australia being built by convicts,. you mean Eastern Australia, then yes.
If you mean Southern Australia and Western Australia, no
they were settled by the wealthy, look up "the Wakefield Plan" as a starting point.

2011G6E · 22-02-2016, 05:53 PM

Given that police (stupidly) aren't generally allowed to "chase down criminals" anymore, what does it matter?

And yes, I like the question "what do they use in countries where Falcons and Commodores aren't available?"...

Answer: they use specialist police vehicles in a lot of countries...cars specifically built to be police cars, not family cars bought and then modified. Dodge does a special edition of the Charger, and similar things like that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_...ackage_version

Quote:

Police package version[edit]
In early 2006, DaimlerChrysler released a new police version of the Charger. It made its debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Unlike the civilian version, the police version features upgraded heavy-duty brakes, a severe-duty cooling system, police-performance Electronic Stability Program, police performance-tuned steering, and a gear shifter that is mounted on the steering column instead of in the center console.[41] In place of the center console, Dodge has equipped the police edition with an aluminum plate appropriate for mounting radio equipment, computers, and controllers for lights and sirens. The vehicle's electrical system is specifically designed for integration of siren and light controls, and other police vehicle accessories. The Charger is in use with many American police departments.

The 340 hp (254 kW) Hemi V8 is powerful enough to accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.0 seconds and to a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h).[42] In Michigan State Police testing, the Charger V8 easily outperformed all other pursuit vehicles in acceleration, cornering, and braking (except the Dodge Magnum and V6 Charger, which stopped slightly faster in some tests) in the first five years since its introduction.[43]

Chargers are in use with numerous police agencies in North America as both marked and unmarked patrol cars. Law enforcement agencies outside of the US have also purchased the Charger, including police services in Canada, Mexico, Chile, the Czech Republic[44] and the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.[45] Both V6 and V8 models are being adopted, with highway patrols favoring the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8 engine and cities more likely to purchase the base police package with the 3.5 L V6 fuel-efficient engine. The Charger is also in service with U.S. Federal and military police services.

For 2009, the base Charger police car came with the 3.5 L V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The rear is slightly updated, moving the "CHARGER" badge to the right, and replacing the left with the badge reading "DODGE." The V8 version uses the Charger Daytona R/T engine, rated 368 horsepower (274 kW) and 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) of torque.

When the Charger was redesigned for 2011 the police package version was renamed Dodge Charger Pursuit. For 2015, the Dodge Charger has been refreshed like its regular version.

**GasoLane** · 22-02-2016, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Answer: they use specialist police vehicles in a lot of countries...cars specifically built to be police cars, not family cars bought and then modified. Dodge does a special edition of the Charger, and similar things like that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_...ackage_version

But then you're going to get the 'Why aren't they out catching real criminals' crowd whining about wasting the Taxpayers money on building special Police cars.

Trump · 22-02-2016, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Given that police (stupidly) aren't generally allowed to "chase down criminals" anymore, what does it matter?

And yes, I like the question "what do they use in countries where Falcons and Commodores aren't available?"...

Answer: they use specialist police vehicles in a lot of countries...cars specifically built to be police cars, not family cars bought and then modified. Dodge does a special edition of the Charger, and similar things like that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_...ackage_version

The problem is RHD. As good as these cars might be, the local govco's won't go for aftermarket conversion to RHD, it has to be factory RHD or GTFO.

2011G6E · 22-02-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

The problem is RHD. As good as these cars might be, the local govco's won't go for aftermarket conversion to RHD, it has to be factory RHD or GTFO.

I think we all know my feelings on that front when it comes to the firm requirement to keep out brand new LHD cars from Australia...

Don't.

Trump · 22-02-2016, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I think we all know my feelings on that front when it comes to the firm requirement to keep out brand new LHD cars from Australia...

Don't.

You said firm

Windsor220 · 22-02-2016, 07:09 PM

Someone should make a dedicated police car for all RHD countries.

Trump · 22-02-2016, 07:19 PM

Ford have this:

but its LHD only.

**Beastie** · 16-03-2016, 10:30 AM

How about what the Victorian Police have just bought!!

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...2af6fc9118b841

GSP07R · 16-03-2016, 10:41 AM

It's on loan for 12 months, give them a taste and then take it away.

Trump · 16-03-2016, 10:47 AM

That's a seriously ugly weapon!

asagaai · 16-03-2016, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beast

How about what the Victorian Police have just bought!!

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...2af6fc9118b841

image

Well, given what we pay the retired pollies who were elected in before the 2004 federal election, pollies elected post 2004 in terms of wage and perks, may as well keep the police in cars we would all like to be in and could probably afford were it not for the taxes we have to pay to keep the pollies in the lifestyle that they so richly deserve.

**Giant Cranium** · 16-03-2016, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asagaai

Well, given what we pay the retired pollies who were elected in before the 2004 federal election, pollies elected post 2004 in terms of wage and perks, may as well keep the police in cars we would all like to be in and could probably afford were it not for the taxes we have to pay to keep the pollies in the lifestyle that they so richly deserve.

How did you get onto a rant about politician pensions from an article about a loaned merc cop car that won't see active duty?

asagaai · 16-03-2016, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

How did you get onto a rant about politician pensions from an article about a loaned merc cop car that won't see active duty?

Simple- the largesse exhibited by those with control of our money to give to them and those in their camp never ceases to amaze me.

Given the generosity given to pollies by enduring pensions of some 80% of income (those elected before 2004 federal election) and the present federal pollies salaries (with hidden perks rather sizeable), may as well carry on the largesse by rolling out top line Mercs and BMWs for the police.

At least with that I can see where MY hard earned money is going

**Giant Cranium** · 16-03-2016, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asagaai

Simple- the largesse exhibited by those with control of our money to give to them and those in their camp never ceases to amaze me.

Given the generosity given to pollies by enduring pensions of some 80% of income (those elected before 2004 federal election) and the present federal pollies salaries (with hidden perks rather sizeable), may as well carry on the largesse by rolling out top line Mercs and BMWs for the police.

At least with that I can see where MY hard earned money is going

But they are on loan. ie. no cost to the tax payer

Did you read the article?