Police get Lancer Evo

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has acquired 25 units of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (with manual transmission) which will be used alongside the Proton Wajas and Iswaras as patrolcars. The purchase was rumoured for some time but the PDRM did not officially comment on it and it was thought that the cars might be used for undercover purposes.

High-performance models are nothing new to the PDRM and even as far back as the 1970s, the force had a fleet of 2-litre Alfa Romeo Alfettas, the first police force outside Italy to use the Italian cars. Marketed by City Motors at that time, they were assembled at the Swedish Motor Assemblies plant in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Later on, during the 1980s, the police also purchased a small fleet of Ford TX3s which were used for undercover operations. The cars were unmarked and little was known about them other than that they existed. Around that time, other government agencies like the Customs also used models like the Citroen BX and BMW 318i in order to pursue criminals who had fast machines.

In the 1990s, the Highway Patrol got the powerful Volvo 850 T5 stationwagons which were ideal for use on the North-South Highway. The stationwagons served for some time but today, the Highway Patrol uses Mitsubishi Pajeros, Nissan X-Trails and some Proton Satria GTIs.
The PDRM will be sending its Evo drivers for special training courses so that they will be able to make full use of the car’s performance so illegal racers had better think twice before trying to accelerate away when they see flashing blue lights behind them. The police also say that the cars may have other roles that require high-speed escorts.

As these are government vehicles, the cost would be about half the showroom price of RM324,000 since they are purchased tax-free. Also, the Evo's 295 bhp engine is a thirsty powerplant but since the police also get tax-free petrol, that should not be a worry either!

Sumber: Motor Trader