Victoria Police chooses BMW

BMW Australia will supply Victoria Police with up to 80 BMW 530d sedans for highway patrol duty by the end of 2018.

The first BMW 530d pursuit cars -- similarly-equipped versions of which have long performed police duties across Europe – are expected to be operational in the southern state by early next year.

They will be supplied in entry-level, factory-fitted ‘police pack’ form, which foregoes some luxury features in favour of heavy-duty policing equipment.

It’s understood the six-cylinder diesel-powered large German luxury sedan was chosen for its efficiency, performance, whole-of-life running costs and the fact it’s the only suitable vehicle available in police-spec ex-factory.

“Lauded by media and customers alike for its combination of performance, safety and efficiency, the new BMW 5 Series range is a natural fit for police duty,” said BMW Group Australia CEO Marc Werner of the announcement.

The deal is a significant blow for Holden, which had hoped to retain key police-car business with the new-generation Commodore that goes on sale next February after the Australian-made Commodore ends production on October 20.

Based on Opel’s latest Insignia, Holden’s imported 2018 Commodore may well be enlisted for highway patrol and general policing duties in Victoria, but it’s unlikely to be in other states, where it’s not considered big or powerful enough.

While a number of other vehicles remain under consideration to replace the traditional V8 Commodore and Ford Falcon based highway patrol cars, it’s understood police forces outside Victoria will follow that state’s lead with the BMW 530d.

There are about 1000 highway patrol vehicles across Australia, including more than 400 in NSW and more than 200 in both Victoria and Queensland.

Other options on the table include the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Toyota’s new Camry V6 due on sale from November, while general duties police will continue to drive Camry sedans, Hyundai SUVs and vans from Volkswagen and Hyundai.

Australian police forces will pay considerably less than the $121,600 (plus on-road costs) charged to public customers of the rear-wheel drive 195kW/620Nm 530d sedan, which is just as quick as the outgoing Commodore SS but more than twice as efficient, at 5.1L/100km.

BMW also supplies armoured vehicles to the Australian federal government and the prime minister’s fleet.