After assessing 17 different vehicles, NSW Police today confirmed the BMW 530d and Chrysler SRT Core would replace its Commodore and Falcon highway patrol fleet and be on the road from July.

NSW POLICE have today announced the BMW 530d and Chrysler SRT Core will take over from the Falcon and Commodore highway patrol cars, rolling into action from July this year. After assessing 17 different vehicles to replace the now-not-produced Falcon and Commodore, NSW Police said it was focusing on safety and efficiency with its decision.

“Having used Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores as the main Traffic and Highway Patrol enforcement vehicles for decades, and with both manufacturers ceasing Australian production last year, the command undertook a global fleet review to identify vehicles best suited for Australian law enforcement purposes,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Some of the other vehicles considered by NSW Police included the Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX and Kia Stinger. The BMW 530d runs a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine making 195kW and 620Nm of torque, while the Chrysler SRT Core which heralded the unveiling of the face-lifted 300C range back in 2015 runs a 6.4-litre V8 making 350kW and 637Nm of torque but, fundamentally this is a vehicle first launched here in 2011.

The BMW 530d are fitted as standard with the M Sport Package, as well as the M Sport Brake system. And, according to BMW, “To ensure police remain supported during service, multi-adjustable Comfort seats are also fitted”. BMW said it provides police vehicles to four police services around the world, including Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Hong Kong.

“The safety of our police officers and the community they serve is our top priority, and both these vehicles demonstrated the safety levels meeting our requirements,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.

“Equally as important, the platform of both vehicles supports the state of the art technology that is key to the government’s focus on reducing the incidents of road trauma across New South Wales.

NSW Police said the vehicles were eventually chosen because these models have been used by law enforcement agencies around the world for years, “and have an established presence in Australia, meaning support and further development will be accessible to the NSW Police Force”.

Question: What do you think, has NSW Police made the right decision?