Lotus cops target Italian speedsters

An unlikely Italo-British collusion will soon see English sports cars taking to the Italian autostradas, chasing errant Ferrari drivers and transporting vital transplant organs at high speed to needy recipients.

The Italian Carabinieri is to take possession of two Lotus Evora S models that will work for two years as pursuit cars, as well as emergency vehicles in cases where speed is of the essence.

The cars have been fitted with latest generation voice recognition technology including EVA (Advanced Vehicle Automation), as well as a refrigerated compartment for storage of vital organs and blood for use in medical emergencies.

The Arma dei Carabinieri is a special division of the Italian army and works with the police in crime fighting and emergency services.

Choosing a British sports car manufacturer to provide high-speed pursuit vehicles seems like something of an aberration in a country known for hyper performance cars such as Ferrari and Maserati.

Group Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Baher said “Everyone knows that Italy has more than its fair share of high profile sports car manufacturers so it is a real honour for a relatively small British brand to be in this position.

Preparation for driving the Evoras in Italy included driver training of a hand-picked Carabinieri team at the new Lotus test track in Hethel, Norfolk.

“Feedback from the driver training on the Evora S at our test track was very positive” Dany Bahar said.

Colonel Marco Minicucci, who is a spokesman for the Carabinieri, said: “Our special Lotus Evoras combine the very best of our technology with excellent British engineering from Lotus. Not just anyone can drive these cars.”

Dany Bahar said: “We are extremely proud to be working with such an iconic and professional organisation as the Carabinieri who play an integral role in Italian society.”

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