BMW Reports For Duty With Victoria Police Post Home-Grown Highway Patrol Cars

Germany's 'big three' were always in the running to win a contract to replace Australia's home-grown six- and eight-cylinder muscle cars for use as police pursuit vehicles, but a perhaps unlikely model has been given the nod for Victoria.

BMW is the winner as far as the lucrative contact goes, but the carmaker won't be asked to churn out scores of M5s to patrol the state's highways.

Instead, the Victoria Highway Patrol will use BMW's diesel-powered 530d sedan, promising lower fuel bills for the tax-payer compared with the petrol-powered V8s they replace.

The 530d reports for duty next year, with an initial order for 80 units carrying a retail price of $119,990 before on-road costs.

The purchase price is unknown, but it's fair to say the figure will be a far cry from the $47,490 plus on-roads commanded by one of the current pursuit cars - the Holden Commodore SS.  

Victoria