15 Cool Police Cars from Around the World
As petrol-heads, we have a complicated friendship with the police.
We curse the radar gun when we’re five km/h over, yet we still nod in respect when a patrol car pulls up sounding like it’s coming straight out of a race track. The badge may say “to protect and serve,” but the machine underneath often whispers “let’s go.” So, let’s check out some of the coolest police cars patrolling the planet.
1. Italy – Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4
The Italians never miss a chance to show off. The Huracán isn’t just for photo ops; it’s fitted with a front-boot medical fridge for organ transport and blue lights integrated into the aerodynamics. One minute it’s chasing an Aventador through the Apennines, the next it’s racing a transplant kidney to Rome. Priorities.
2. Japan – Nissan Skyline GT-R R35 (Tokyo’s Highway Police)
In a car culture country like Japan, the police were not always able to keep up with the street racers, well, until they got hold of a small fleet of R34 coupes with stock turbos, factory pearl white, light bar on the roof, and a stern officer who probably heel-toes better than you. These cars didn’t just keep up with street racers; they embarrassed them on video that still circulates in tuning shops. Nowadays, the Highway Patrol in Japan’s most busiest highways, is keeping up with racers with a couple of GT-R R35s. You might even see them around Tatsumi PA if things get a bit too hot.
3. Germany – BMW M5
Unlimited-speed zones demand serious hardware. The F10 M5, wearing Hella blue strobes and a discreet “Polizei” livery, can sit at 250 km/h for half a shift and still carry two officers plus equipment. Consider it a mobile motorway etiquette class: keep right, or get taught.
4. United States – Dodge Charger Pursuit (5.7 L Hemi)
American muscle made practical. Steel wheels for potholes, column shifter for laptop space, and that 370 hp V8 exhaust note you hear before the red-and-blues fill your mirrors. It’s mass-produced, yes, but still one of the most convincing arguments to behave on an interstate.
5. United Kingdom – Lotus Evora GT S (Special Ops)
When Britain wanted a quick response car for tight B-roads, Lotus delivered an Evora with blues and twos, tactical radio kit, and enough boot space for cones and first-aid packs. Lightweight chassis, mid-engine balance, no coffee-cup holders—because the corners don’t care.
P.S: Apparently, the Italian carabinieri also got Lotus Evora on their fleet, so that’s cool.
6. Dubai – Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Dubai treats the police fleet like a moving car show. The Veyron headlines, painted in white and emerald green. It’s more PR tool than patrol unit, but it serves a purpose: a rolling reminder that you can’t outrun a 400 km/h top speed, at least not in that emirate.
7. Sweden – Volvo V90 Cross Country
Snow, mud, or an elk the size of a hatchback—Swedish officers meet it in a V90 wagon on raised suspension. Twin-charged four-cylinders give pursuit punch, while laminated cargo barriers keep wayward wildlife out of the cabin. Safety first, even when the blue lights flare.
8. Australia – BMW M3 Competition (Victoria Highway Patrol)
Australian state Victoria, leveld up their highway patrol fleet with new M3s (new in 2021 that is), 375 kW, ceramic brakes, and enough cooling to survive the Outback heat with the air-con on max. No bull bar—would ruin the aero (or hide the grill).
9. South Korea – Genesis G90
This Korean National Police Agency Genesis G90 isn’t built for busting bad guys – it’s built for impressing dignitaries. Forget the rough-and-tumble life of a patrol car; this luxury liner is strictly reserved for ceremonial duties and providing secure, high-profile transport for visiting heads of state. It’s a smart play: offer VVIPs a plush ride while showcasing Korea’s top-tier automotive offering to international news crews. To keep it looking sharp and extend its lifespan well past the usual police car retirement age, this G90 sees incredibly limited use. It’s maintained like a show car, meaning finding one on the street is next to impossible – a ghost in the police machine.
10. France – Alpine A110 Gendarmerie
Lightweight, mid-engined, and painted bleu gendarme. The A110 handles mountain passes where a diesel van can’t follow. Interior upgrades? Only a secure radio and blue LEDs—the rest is as it left Dieppe, because less weight equals faster paperwork delivery.
11. Netherlands – Historic Porsche 911 Targa
From 1962 to 1996, the Dutch Rijkspolitie patrolled motorways in white 911 Targas. Light, air-cooled, and quick enough for Autobahn spill-over traffic. Today a few survive for ceremonial runs; every Dutch car meet has at least one story about being waved down by an officer wearing Ray-Bans in an open-top Porsche.
12. Singapore – Polestar 2 EV
So, guess what the Singapore cops are driving now? They went out and got themselves some Polestar 2s, all decked out for highway patrol. Yeah, the electric ones! Apparently, they put out feelers back in 2023 to mix some EVs into their fleet, and these Polestars made the cut. Performance-wise, they’re quick. They’ll hit 100km/h from a stop in about 4.5 seconds, which apparently blows the doors off their current BMW 325d and Volvo S80 patrol cars in a drag race (at least, way quicker than the Volvo by over 3 seconds!). They do top out a bit lower, around 205km/h, whereas the BMW could stretch its legs to 245. Still, pretty cool seeing EVs rocking the police lights!
13. Spain – Cupra for Guardia Civil & Policia Nacional
Over in Spain, the National Police needed some new wheels, and guess what they picked? The Cupra León e-Hybrid! It’s the plug-in version of the Spanish brand’s compact car. Okay, fair enough, it might not have quite the same visual punch on the road as the Cupra Formentor that you sometimes see around. But when it comes to actually doing the job, performance shouldn’t be a worry. It’s rated at 204 horsepower, blending its trusty 1.4 TSI petrol motor with a 13 kWh battery for that electric boost. Sounds like a solid choice for patrol duty
14. Czechia – BMW 540i xDrive Touring (Police)
Over in the Czech Republic, they’re putting officers behind the wheel of the BMW 540i xDrive. The heart of this beast is a smooth 3.0-liter inline-six petrol engine, boosted slightly by mild-hybrid tech, churning out 333 hp and 450 Nm. That power gets put down effectively thanks to xDrive all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. While they aren’t decked out in the full M Sport visual package, they do have practical goodies like adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and adaptive suspension for ride comfort and control. The numbers that matter? 0-100 km/h in a brisk 5.2 seconds and a top end limited to 250 km/h. Definitely enough pace to keep up!
15. Abu Dhabi – Lykan Hypersport
Now for something completely different: Abu Dhabi. Their police force includes… wait for it… a Lykan Hypersport. Yeah, no kidding. One of only seven ever built! Forget special cop-shop tweaks; it seems they just gave it the official colours and lights. But remember, this is a £2 million hypercar we’re talking about, packing a 750 horsepower twin-turbo flat-six. W Motors says 0-62mph happens in 2.8 seconds, with a top end of 242mph. So, you know… probably overkill for writing parking tickets, but insanely cool.
Final lap
Whether it’s a $2 million hypercar or a fleet-spec muscle sedan, police forces pick tools that fit the terrain, the politics, and sometimes pure national pride. Next time a set of blue lights looms, take a second to appreciate the machine before you check your speedo—then ease off anyway. Respect the car, respect the law (most of the time), and keep the driving stories coming.
