AC Schnitzer Turns All-Electric MINI E into a Police Car [with Video]

In support of the German Automobile Tuner Association’s “Tune it! Safe!” campaign, AC Schnitzer built the MINI E Police Look Concept, which is being showcased at the 2010 Essen Motor Show. The idea behind the campaign is to create a car that can satisfy tuning aficionados and also meet safety standards.

The BMW Group's MINI E is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp on tap and plenty of low-down torque (maximum is 220 Nm or 162 lb-ft). It completes the standard sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 152 km/h (95 mph).

AC Schnitzer’s comprehensive tuning package made it even better while the police livery is an interesting take on the “safety” theme.

Finished in the classic Polizei colors, the concept has the latest signaling system from Hella mounted on the roof and special wraps from Foliatec. Modified front and rear bumpers, plus lowered side skirts, improve the car's looks, while bonnet vents and a large roof spoiler complete the bodykit.

The tuner opted for new alloys, too. The 18-inch MI 2 wheels feature an 8-spoke design and are wrapped in high-performance Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires. Stopping power is provided by an upgraded brake system, boasting 328mm 4-pot caliper (in front) ventilated disks. There is also a complete suspension kit.

Inside, the boys in blue are greeted by aluminum pedals, footrest and handbrake handle.

AC Schnitzer says that most of the tuning accessories shown on the concept model are either already available or will soon be offered for the production MINIs.

By Csaba Daradics

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VIDEO: Making of the Real Life Lamborghini Police Car vs Pagani Zonda Film

With modern day racing video games blurring the lines between virtuality and reality, it's no wonder some readers mistook last Friday's Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Trailer featuring a Police-livered Lamborghini Murcielago and a Pagani Zonda for a very well executed CGI when in fact it was a real-life film (see it here). If you still have doubts, then follow the jump to watch the video and get behind the scenes of the live-action shoot out.

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German Police Recruits Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

The Opel Insignia Sports Tourer, the sedan version of which is marketed in the States as the Buick Regal, has been recruited for duty by the Polizei force of the German State of Hesse. The authorities announced today that they have ordered a total of 800 patrol cars from Opel, with the first 100 examples to be delivered this year.

All Insignia patrol cars will come fitted with special equipment including additional rear warning lights with LED tech, a pull out tray system for the trunk which can be replaced with a transport box for police dogs.

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Fiat 500 Abarth in Polizia Livery coming to Essen Motor Show

We're not sure if it's allowed here in the States (though we can't see why not), but here's a cool idea for future owners of the Fiat 500 looking into personalization options. The Fiat 500 Abarth in Polizia livery is the creation of German suspension manufacturer Bilstein and it will be displayed at the firm's stand at this week's Essen Motor Show. Along with the colors of the Italian Police force, the 500 Abarth also gets a set of white alloy wheels and Bilstein's B14 threaded kit with variable height-adjustment.

Live Action Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Trailer with Pagani vs Lamborghini [VIDEO]

Live action game trailers are nothing new. It's an easy way for developers to tease their upcoming titles without having to reveal any actual graphics or gameplay. Recent examples of this include Resident Evil 5 and Halo 3: ODST.

So there's a new trailer out for Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, the latest in the NFS series and the third Hot Pursuit title. However, this trailer comes with something special: a spectacular live action realisation of the chase from the E3 reveal trailer.

In the original trailer, we see an epic chase whereby a Koenigsegg CCX, Pagani Zonda Cinque and McLaren MP4-12C are pursued by two Ford Shelby GT500s, a Bugatti Veyron, a Lamborghini Murciélago and a Bell 206 helicopter. This is all realized (presumably) with the in-game engine and is pretty sweet in itself.

However, it's nothing compared to this real-life chase between an orange Zonda Cinque, police issue Murciélago and Bell 206 through the Italian Alps from the game's marketing team. It's the sort of thing that has to be seen to be believed. Watch the video, and let us know what you think in the comments.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: NFS

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Ford’s Police Interceptor Outpaces Competition at LA Sheriff’s Department Testing

The American police car segment is heating up with equally interesting offers from GM (Chevy Caprice), Chrysler (Dodge Charger) and Ford. In their latest battle, the Dearborn automaker's Taurus-based AWD Police Interceptor achieved the fastest lap time in tests carried out by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD), signaling that it's a worthy successor for the Crown Victoria.

Powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque, the Police Interceptor can reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 5.8 seconds.

During tests held in California, the Ford was faster than V8 competitors, but that's not much of a surprise, since force induction compensates for the lack of displacement (the Chevy Caprice has a 6.0-liter V8, while the Dodge Charger boasts a 5.7-liter HEMI V8).

LASD also tested the base Taurus Interceptor, which comes with a naturally V6 churning out 280 hp, and all-wheel drive. According to Ford, it fared well against the V6-powered competition, beating them in braking, acceleration and lap times.

The Blue Oval's third police car to be tested was the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and AWD. Ford said that, loaded with 400 pounds (181 kg) of cargo, it was more than two seconds faster than the Chevrolet Tahoe on LASD's circuit.

Ford Police Interceptors are available in multiple configurations (even with front-wheel drive) and deliver at least 20% more fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing Crown Victoria. Sounds like authorities could get a bang for their buck, but we have the feeling that GM and Chrysler aren't done yet.

By Csaba Daradics

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