Police fleets from all over the world are already
using certain BMWs, with Australia set to join them next year with 80 units of
the new 530d. Victoria Police will take delivery of the entire batch by the end
of next year, although the first ones are expected to become operational as
soon as early 2018.
However, unlike the usual BMW 5-Series aimed at the
masses, the police vehicles will be presented in an entry-level specification,
"eschewing some of the higher-end luxuries found on the regular production
model", according to the manufacturer. This means that amenities such as
leather and other "meaningless" equipment will be dropped completely,
in order to make the cars more police-suitable.
All 80 units will be fitted with a 'police pack',
straight from the factory, which will prepare them for their heavy-duty
operations. Standard 530ds use a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged diesel
engine that makes 265 PS and 620 Nm of torque. Add the police
upgrades, and their performance could perhaps improve.
