British Police Testing Lexus RX 400h
While our troopers are still cruising around in their Crown Vics, British cops are testing out a new ride – the Lexus RX 400h. Nope, it's not a misprint…not only a Lexus, but a hybrid at that. First in line to test the luxury fleet car was the Hampshire Police, whose officers gave positive reviews of the luxo-hybrid-SUV, noting its "quick acceleration and more than adequate response". It's easy to see why they might consider a hybrid with the 14.5 million miles they covered every year, but a Lexus? What's the excuse for that? How about a Ford Escape hybrid instead?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
p.bubel 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
" What’s the excuse for that?"
I imagine Toyota gave them a sweet deal the vehicles and Ford didn't.
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Rob F. 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Not sure what the acceleration differences are but the Ford is geared towards economy rather than acceleration. I think it would be more appropriate to ask: Why not a Highlander rather than a Lexus?
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Fabulo 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
"How about a Ford Escape hybrid instead?"
Because it's not on sale in the uk?
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Glenn Arlt 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Fabulo
Absolutely correct. The Ford Escape hybrid is NOT for sale in the UK. For that matter, I do not believe the Toyota badged version of the Lexus hybrid SUV is for sale in the UK either.
Just so everyone is aware, in the UK, many constabularies (police departments in US lingo) use SUVs because in the early 1970's the early Range Rovers had V8 power (power being the operative word here) and all wheel drive which came in useful in many circumstances.
Personally I think a Prius would be a great police car anywhere in the world. So what if it "only" goes 106 miles per hour and does zero to 60 in "only" 10.5 seconds? As the old saying goes "you can't outrun a Motorola" (police radio).
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TruDat 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
"but a Lexus? What’s the excuse for that?"
Ummm....how about, "cuz it's a pimp-ass ride and we CAN."
Really, if our cops thought there was a chance in hell that they could get luxo-rides instead of grampy-rollers, they'd try.
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The.blob 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
"How about a Ford Escape hybrid instead?"
Uh, because they want to actually use them to patrol rather
than Fix Or Repair Daily?
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davej 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Great, but will it hold as many donuts as a Crown Vic?
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Mario 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
If the Italian cops can have a Lamborghini, then why the Brits can't have a Lexus?.
Cheer mates, we are just jealous US cops are always "suggested" to buy only big and ugly american cars...
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marko 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
what would be sweet is if Daimler Chrysler outfitted the new Dodge Charger for police use. I would join the force if they did.
Land Rover LR v. Lexus RX in an offroad capability match? Is that even a fair assessment?
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JT 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Why not?
Here in California, our CHP officers are getting Porsche Boxters.
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Tom L. 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
hey #9 marko, check the link
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/dodge_police_car.html
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Adrian Clarke 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
UK police forces have a history of using high-end cars, especially roomy ones that they can get a load of gear in the back of. Range Rovers are a favourite because their size makes them visible (from in front and behind), they can get loads of equipment in, they have power, they can make impromtu off road excursions should the fleeing toe-rags make a detour off the motorway, and in the event of an incident they can pull a car obstrucing our admittedly crowded motoways off the main drag. Whether it's on it's wheels or not.
Most inner city patrol cars are Ford Focuses (Focuii?), V6 Vauxhall Vectras, or BMW 530is. The traffic police (highway patrols in colonial) have in the past used Jaguars, Rovers (normal and Range), VR6 Golfs, Lotus Esprits, Escort Cosworths, Subaru WRX estates, and when they found out Vauxhall was phasing out the MV6 Omega (basically a Cadillac Catera with 200bhp) they promptly bought all the stock the could (a similar thing happened with the old Rover V8 Vitesse).
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Bigel 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Hmmm...wouldn't be the politicians rewarding the "tax collectors" for generating vast amounts of revenue during lean times, would it? With the abundance of diesels available in Europe, hybrids make little sense. Both get about the same mileage, but the hybrid is an unproven and more expensive.
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Russian Reader :) 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
There's one detail missing - how many rx400 they're willing to buy? Maybe just one for testing purposes ;)
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Nigel Pond 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
Toyotas are more reliable than Fords.
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FreeEnemaToAllCops 11:16PM (12/18/2005)
You people are all crazy talking about police cars.My hamble opinion is that they should all drive daewoo matiz or Yugo Zastava.Lada tops!!!
They should all be colored plastic brown and look ugly as hell.
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