Did you know... the British Police once had a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti? This predator was created for the manufacturer's sixtieth anniversary tour of the United Kingdom in May 2007. It therefore cruised 1,500 miles from Belfast to London in the hands of law enforces – who must have been devastated to abandon their Astra diesels. This Ferrari 612 had Police livery, the GTS handling package, Daytona-style seats, personalised stitching, and a yellow rev-counter. It was also, of course, driven within the speed limit at all times. That must have been hard as the 5.7-litre V12 engine produced 533bhp and propelled cops to 62mph in 4.3 seconds. Top speed was a mighty 199mph, which slightly eclipsed the Astra.
Furthermore, thirty years ago, Jaguar produced the XJ6 Saloon 4.0-litre PS (Police Specification). This had special livery plus extra lighting, radar, and hard wearing rubber mats. But that was the past. These days Humberside Police has a Lexus IS-F. Highlights include the 5.0-litre V8 417bhp engine that propels law enforcers to 62mph – and towards fleeing crooks – in a speedy 4.8 seconds. Top speed is 168 mph. This eight-speed auto also has rock-solid handling, plenty of equipment, and a big boot for jam doughnuts. Tasty.
The Yorkshire County Road Crime Unit has a speedy car too. This takes the form of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X which is fitted with an Automated Number Plate Recognition System. This identifies law breakers. Cops then intercept courtesy of the 2.0-litre 354bhp turbocharged engine. That propels this road legal rocket to 62mph in about 4 seconds, and on to 155mph. Its nemesis – the Subaru Impreza GB270 – has a 2.5-litre flat-four, 266bhp engine, achieving 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds with a top speed of 143mph. This has found homes with the Humberside Police and Essex Police. Far more fun than a Vauxhall Astra.