Australian police receives duo of Lexus hybrids

GS 450h and RX 450h to patrol New South Wales

 Lexus 

The two hybrids will patrol New South Wales' Southern Region

We don't normally think of Lexus cars as police vehicles, at least not in the U.S., but that doesn't mean other countries' police forces wouldn't find them compelling for patrol duty. Lexus has just signed an agreement to supply the New South Wales, Australia, police force with two hybrid models: a Lexus GS 450h and a Lexus RX 450h will be used as part of its Road Safe and Snow Safe campaigns, and they're due to be delivered at the start of the state's ski season. We know! There are ski resorts in Australia?

There are, indeed, in New South Wales' Southern Region, to be exact. And the Lexus cars will be used by NSW police at roadside campaigns as well as sport and community events throughout the region.

"The Lexus hybrids will give us an opportunity to talk to people on an informal basis and hopefully make a positive impression about police and what we do," said Inspector Jim Fryday of the NSW Police Force's Southern Region. "One of the hybrids will be our 'Snow Safe' community car throughout the ski season. It will be highly visible and remind motorists to slow down, check for hazards and arrive safe."

The Snow Safe campaign is aimed at reducing accidents in the highly traveled vacation areas. Both cars will be used at National Rugby League and National Basketball League games, as well as at the V8 Supercars event at Bathurst and Sydney. The campaigns are aimed at reducing speeding, reducing drunk driving and checking for driver fatigue.

 Lexus 

The two hybrids will use used for road safety campaigns at ski areas and sporting events. 

As Fords and Holdens make up the majority of Australia's police fleet in all states, we can already predict that the sight of Lexus' cars in police livery is likely to make drivers wake up and slow down, if only to confirm they're seeing a Lexus police car.

But if the need arises, the Lexus hybrids can chase down violators like their V8-engined Holden counterparts in the police fleet. The Lexus GS 450h has a gas-electric hybrid engine underhood making 345 hp, which gives the ability to hit 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. The RX 450h is no slouch, either, with its gas-electric powertrain developing 300 hp. The GS has been equipped with a siren and PA system, along with a small strobe system for the dash, which plugs into a 12-volt outlet. The GS has received a LED beacon by Whelen for the roof. It also plugs into a 12-volt outlet.

Ski season in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains starts in June, naturally, which is when visitors can expect to see the Lexus hybrids on patrol.