Fighting crime in Oz has never been more chic than behind the wheel of the department’s very own “Guardian”.

This is a Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, which was taken on a loan from the manufacturer for 12 months, at no cost to Australian taxpayers. It received its codename because it will keep officers safe and will be used both as a promotional vehicle, at various exhibits across the state, and as an operational highway patrol car.

Death and serious injuries on Victorian roads could be reduced by a third overnight if everyone was driving the safest cars they can afford. We’re not saying that everyone needs to rush out and buy the latest and greatest but we need people to prioritise safety over leather seats and shiny wheels. Your car should be a guardian for your safety and the safety of your family much like police are a guardian for everyone in the community“, said Doug Fryer, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner.

The full-sized Mercedes SUV is unlikely to join the regular police fleet, due to its high running costs, as it isn’t really the most frugal vehicle out there. However, its thirst is justified by the 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine, producing 584 PS (576 HP) and 760 Nm (561 lb-ft) of torque, responsible for allowing the vehicle to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) just 4.2 seconds.

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