The contenders for the next NSW Police Highway Patrol cars

The race is on – who will win – who will be crowned the next NSW Police Highway Patrol vehicle.  With Ford and Holden eliminated from this race there have been plenty of contenders coming and going – EFTM has the short list and it doesn’t include the Ford Mustang.

While the Mustang passed two important hurdles – firstly people loved it and secondly it looked great in the HWP colours – that’s not enough to earn its stripes.

Joshua Dowling at News confirmed this week that the Mustang failed an extreme test at the Goulburn Police facility with the transmission overheating.

So, where does that leave the NSW Police, and their Highway Patrol crew in particular.

While general duties police will be driving round in Camry’s and other basic sedans, the HWP team need something a bit more lively.

EFTM understands that the three front-runners are as follows:

BMW 5 Series Diesel

Volvo S60

and the Chrysler 300C

While the 300C might have a “gangster” look to it, it has a very similar style and performance to the existing sedans on the fleet.  EFTM understands there is one big issue with the 300C – that being the cost of repair.  A front end prang on a Commodore might cost around $6,000 – a similar repair on the 300C could be well over double that.

More tests and work to be done, but with the clock ticking we can’t be too far from a decision.