NSW police nab BMW 530d and Chrysler 300 SRT Core

THE BMW 530d and Chrysler 300 SRT Core have been called up to serve as the New South Wales Highway Patrol vehicles from July this year, replacing the outgoing Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon vehicles.

 

According to the NSW Police Force, the two models were selected after a three-year search and comprehensive testing, and they will be modified to accommodate equipment such as sirens and lights, scanners and radar.

 

NSW Police Force assistant commissioner Michael Corboy also said the safety credentials of both the BMW and Chrysler were crucial in the decision to appoint the vehicles.

 

“The safety of our police officers and the community they service is our top priority, and both these vehicles demonstrated the safety levels meeting our requirements,” he said.

 

“Equally as important, the platform of both vehicles supports the state of the art technology that is key to the government’s focus on reducing the incidents of road trauma across New South Wales.”

 

Although BMW’s 530d has not been crash tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), its 520d sibling was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating in April last year.

 

According to ANCAP’s results, the 5 Series scored 91 per cent in the adult occupant protection test, while its safety systems nabbed a 59 per cent result and pedestrian protection recorded 81 per cent in testing.

 

Police spec 530ds are equipped with an M Sport Package and M Sport brakes, which are standard on the civilian car, but it remains unclear if other no-cost safety gear including a head-up display, autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, 360-degree display, lane-keep assist and full-length curtain airbags will carry over.

 

Powered by a turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine, the 530d produces 195kW of power and 620Nm of torque, and it is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission for a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds and a fuel economy rating of 4.7 litres per 100km.

 

ANCAP has not crash tested the second-generation Chrysler 300 that launched in Australia in 2012.

 

The latest version of the 300 SRT was released in 2015 and comes equipped with Brembo performance brakes and Ready Alert Braking system, as well as launch control, rear limited-slip differential and high-performance sport suspension.

 

Equipped with a 350kW/637Nm 6.4-litre petrol V8 and eight-speed automatic, fuel economy in the Chrysler sedan is rated at 13L/100km and its 0-100km/h time is "in the mid-four second range", according to the brand.

 

BMW’s 530d wears a pricetag of $119,990 before on-roads, while the Chrysler 300 SRT Core rings up the till at $65,000.

 

BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner said the introduction of the 530d to the NSW Police Force ranks mirrors the adoption of BMW vehicles for service around the world.

 

“Globally, the BMW Group supplies emergency and authority vehicles to a large number of countries, so I am very pleased to see our brand continue this proud tradition in Australia,” he said.

 

“We are honoured by our association with the New South Wales Police Force and delighted that our officers will be driving BMW’s safe, efficient and dynamically superior vehicles.”

Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia president and CEO Steve Zanlunghi said: "We have worked closely with the New South Wales police to understand their needs and are proud to deliver a vehicle that offers the power and performance to meet the demands of the Highway Patrol Team

"After rigorous testing and extensive consultation we’re thrilled to offer a vehicle that combines the perfect blend of performance, handling and state of the art technology for the New South Wales Police in their endeavor to support the community."

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