Cops cop a 280km/h ‘coupe’ from Mercedes

LEAD-FOOTED drivers in Victoria have a new worry in the shape of a 280km/h Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe that has joined the ranks of Victoria Police.

The fastest police car in Australia, codenamed Guardian, is on loan to the force’s Highway Patrol to help to keep the peace for the next 12 months while at the same time promoting in-car safety technologies.

Unlike many such vehicles dressed for show in police livery, the brawny $141,900 (plus on-road costs) coupe-style 2.2-tonne large SUV has been fitted out as a fully operational police car to do its duty on the highways and byways.

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Doug Fryer said it was important for people to consider buying the safest car they could afford when buying a new vehicle.

“Death and serious injuries on Victorian roads could be reduced by a third overnight if everyone was driving the safest cars they can afford,” he said.

“We’re not saying that everyone needs to rush out and buy the latest and greatest but we need people to prioritise safety over leather seats and shiny wheels.

“Your car should be a guardian for your safety and the safety of your family much like police are a guardian for everyone in the community.”

Powered by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 430kW of power and 760Nm of torque, the beastly Benz packs 126kW more power and 190Nm more torque than the regular Holden Commodore SS police patrol car.

Theoretically, it can chase a bad guy from zero to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds – about 0.8 seconds faster than the 6.0-litre Commodore – by which time the police chase will probably be terminated in the interests of public safety.

Top speed of a standard production GLE63 AMG is electronically limited to 280km/h.

The Benz Guardian will be displayed at this weekend’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne.