By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring
The Czech marque Skoda has secured its first large-scale order for police cars in Australia, with a fleet of 55 turbocharged all-wheel-drive Skoda Superb wagons to join the highway patrol.
They will work alongside Western Australia’s highway patrol fleet of Kia Stinger twin-turbo V6 sedans.
The Skoda Superb to be used by highway patrol in Western Australia is the same as a civilian car, but with one modification – an audio speaker in the cargo hold has been removed to make way for a second battery. Police cars place enormous demands on vehicle electrical systems and most run dual battery set-ups to be able to power ancillaries.
A statement from Skoda Australia said Western Australia police have ordered 55 examples of the Superb wagon for highway patrol duties, with an order for a further 10 vehicles expected to follow.
The head of Skoda Australia, Michael Irmer, said it was an honour to help serve police with a suitable vehicle.
“Skoda could hope for no more resounding endorsement of our [vehicle] than its selection by WAPOL,” Mr Irmer said in a media statement.
“To be the car of choice for the officers who serve the great state of Western Australia is an honour.”
Western Australia is the largest police jurisdiction in Australia, accounting for more than a third of the mainland – or 2.5 million square kilometres.
