Skoda Superb wagon for West Australia police

Following the local demise of Ford and Holden and the rumoured curtain draw on Kia Stinger production later this year, police forces around Australia have been left wondering what to use as patrol cars.

That question has now been answered at least in the west, following confirmation that Western Australia Police (WAPOL) has ordered 55 new Skoda Superb 206TSI Sportline wagons, with another 10 units expected to be ordered soon.

Packing a 206kW/350Nm punch, the Skoda Superb 206TSI Sportline is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which sends its power to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

In wagon form, the Czech family hauler will spring to 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds.

No changes are being made to the Superb’s MQB underpinnings, engine or running gear in preparation for its deployment out west, with the only alteration being the removal of its standard sub-woofer to make way for a police-spec dual-battery system.

Skoda Australia managing director Michael Irmer was thrilled with the order and thanked WA Police for choosing the brand.

“Skoda could hope for no more resounding endorsement of our Superb than its selection by WAPOL,” he said.

“To be the car of choice for the officers who serve the great state of Western Australia is an honour.”

The Skoda Superb accounted for 29.8 per cent of all sub-$70,000 large-car sales last year with 597 units shifted between January 1 and December 31.

It’s worth noting the Superb could soon hold a monopoly in the segment given the Kia Stinger – currently employed by Queensland police – is the only alternative and may be discontinued globally by the end of the year if overseas reports prove accurate.

The BMW 530d and Chrysler 300 SRT are currently employed as highway patrol cars in Victoria and NSW, but the end is nigh for the latter following the axing of the Chrysler brand in Australia.