NSW Police looking at Chrysler V8 pursuit cars

The New South Wales (NSW) Police could be chasing bad guys with one of the most powerful and indeed fastest V8 sedans available in Australia, the Chrysler 300 SRT Core.

Propelled by a colossal 6.4-litre V8 engine that belts out 350kW/637Nm, the big American sedan has an incredible turn of speed – 0-100km/h in just 4.5secs.

Priced at around $65,000, the Chrysler 300 SRT Core is quicker than the Holden Commodore SS it will replace, the latter powered by a slightly smaller 6.2-litre V8.

NSW Police is yet to make an official announcement but motoring.com.au understands it is almost ready to an ink a deal for a significant number of Chrysler 300 SRT Core vehicles.

FCA Australia, the official importer of the Chrysler 300, wouldn't confirm or deny the deal but Lucy McLellan, the company's PR and Communications head for the Asia Pacific region, told motoring.com.au it has been in talks with NSW Police.

"It's no secret FCA Australia has been working with NSW police throughout the [highway patrol vehicle] tender process.

"We're confident the product more than meets the requirements regarding this process," she stated. "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Australia law enforcement agencies are evaluating numerous different vehicles to replace the Commodore and Falcon (which have now ceased production), and Chrysler is in a unique position to offer a similar pursuit vehicle.

Up until now, government agencies like the police had to use Australian-made cars – within reason – but the floodgates are now open for imported cop cars.

The NSW Police force is also understood to be looking at the BMW 530d, following the announcement that Victoria Police has purchased 80 of the diesel-powered sedans to plump up its fleet.

The BMW 530d costs around $120,000, almost double the price of the Chrysler, and although it isn't quite as fast off the line, its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine generates 195kW/620Nm. It's also significantly more efficient than the petrol-powered Chrysler 300 SRT Core.

In total there are roughly 400 highway patrol police vehicles in New South Wales, which has the biggest police force in the country. Victoria and Queensland have fleets of around 200 cars each.

Another car understood to be in the running for a police pursuit vehicle for Australia includes the new twin-turbo petrol V6-powered Kia Stinger GT. Australian Federal Police have also previously tested the Volvo S60 T6 sedan, with Polestar performance optimisation, worth 245kW/480Nm.

NSW Police has already had time to evaluate the Chrysler 300 SRT, after taking delivery of a special community engagement vehicle in May 2017 (pictured).