Police car all the boy racers want

[Monty 35]

Bit of a different story ....

From the Portsmouth (UK) News Site

Police car all the boy racers want

By Michael Stoddard

POLICE have got their hands on the fastest Panda car in the country – a 140mph Lotus Exige.

But the Sussex force are not allowed to use it to chase crooks or even go above the speed limit.

Instead, the £35,000 supercar will be used to engage boy racers about the dangers of driving too fast.

However, some critics say it's daft having a police car capable of such speeds and not using it to respond to crimes.

Tony Dignum, chairman of the Chichester Society, said: 'I think it's totally the wrong idea because it will attract youngsters to aspire to have a fast sports car and encourage them to speed.

'It is a joke that it won't be able to chase after criminals or even go above the speed limit.

'Imagine if you saw a crime and the criminal races off in a car and this police car happens to be there but can't do anything about it.'

The flash motor – complete with Sussex Police livery and flashing blue lights – has been loaned for free to the roads policing team for

six months and will be on display at the Earls Court Motorshow in November.

Powered by a supercharged engine and capable of accelerating to 60mph in 4.1 seconds, the car will be used for demonstration purposes as it tours the county.

Sergeant Paul Masterson, from the Haywards Heath Roads Policing Unit, said: 'Many places in Sussex have a problem with youths speeding around, with their stereos blaring, making a general nuisance of themselves.

'We get calls about it every weekend, but when we turn up they usually speed off in the opposite direction as soon as they see us.

'It means we can never engage directly with these young people and tell them about the dangers they're causing. When we pull up in this Lotus, however, it's a completely different story.

'In fact, it's usually they that approach us to have a look at the car. Then we introduce the road safety message.'

Lotus Exige factfile

Max speed – 148mph

0-60mph in 4.1 sec

Engine capacity – 1796 cc

16 valves

Fuel type – Unleaded

Tank capacity – 9.6 gallons

Typical insurance – £963

Length – 12ft 5ins

Width – 5ft 8ins

Wheel base – 7ft 7ins

Comes as standard with alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, cruise control, satellite navigation, DVD player and climate control.

[Bababoosky 24]

Those brits can keep him! I would take Barricade (Transformers) any day of the week!