Vic Police to go BMW from 2018

Ahead of the end of Australian vehicle manufacturing operations for both Ford and Holden, most of Australia’s state and territory police forces started the move to imported vehicles for their fleets some time ago, but performance Falcons and Commodores have been retained by most forces for highway patrol work. That’s set to change soon, with Victoria Police confirming they’ll move to BMWs next year.

In a deal supported by BMW Australia, as many as 80 specially-equipped 530d sedans will replace the existing VF Commodore SS in the Vic Police highway patrol fleet by the end of 2018, with other states and territories expected to follow Victoria’s lead.

The 5 Series sedans will come from Germany with a ‘police pack’ factory-fitted, but without some of the higher-end trim and luxury features normally found on the 530d to reduce cost. However, even with this lower-grade spec and fleet discounting, each unit is expected to cost close to $100,000.

The standard 530d runs a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, matched to an 8-speed auto trans and RWD, producing 195kW and 620Nm, with an electronically-limited 250km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds, compared to the Commodore SS’s 240km/h maximum (also electronically-limited), 304kW/570Nm and 5.0 second 0-100km/h time. Where the BMW really wins over the Commodore is in economy; 4.9lt/100km, compared to 12.9lt/100km from the Commodore’s 6.2-litre petrol V8.

Whether the locally-delivered BMW police pack includes any power enhancement is undisclosed, but it will include changes to the electrical system to allow seamless integration of essential police kit like lights, sirens, cameras and communications equipment. Options available with the police pack include BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, active steering assist, head-up display and police-specific features like auxiliary batteries, PA microphones and even firearms lockers.

BMW currently supply 7, 5, 3 and 2 Series sedans and wagons for police duty in the UK and many European countries, as well X1, X3 and X5 SUVs. All these models are available from the factory with the police-ready fitout.