Law-enforcing Lexus

The Humberside Police department in the UK has ditched its fleet of Subaru WRXs for the new Lexus IS-F, which is sure to garner looks of panic and/or envy from passing motorists.

Kitted out in full police livery, the wide, low and powerful V8-engined Lexus IS-F has a top speed of around 270km/h, which will no doubt be tested by the Roads Crime Section who will be making use of the high performance Japanese sedan on British roads and motorways.

As well as the Police livery and de rigueur LED flashing lights, the law-enforcing Lexus is packed with an extra $60,000 (£30,000) of data collection, identification and high-tech communications equipment.

Though its new owners have not said if any tweaks have been made to the engine or chassis, the 'standard' Lexus IS-F is a powerful proposition from the outset, developing 311kW and 505Nm from its 5.0-litre V8.

It channels this power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Sergeant Mike Peck at the Humberside Police Roads Crime Section stated that the $132,250 vehicle was not an easy selection (the Audi RS4 and BMW M3 would have been on the list) and that the car was "tested" for 12 months prior to a final decision.

"The purchase of the vehicle was far from an easy decision and involved research and advice from the force fleet manager, financial managers and a vehicle dynamics expert," explained Sgt Peck.

"The Lexus was tested during a 12 month period along with similar vehicles and proved itself to be ideally suited in providing a dynamically safe high performance chassis along with an electronically stable platform for the computer equipment. In the past this equipment has placed huge demands on vehicles but the Lexus IS-F easily met with our requirements," Sgt Peck added.

The vehicle will be used mostly for 'special assignments' such as rapid response duties (read: picking up pizzas) and high visibility deterrents (read: showing off in front of rival police departments).

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