2007 Volvo V70 UK Police Car review

Volvo V70 UK Police Car review:

The all-new Volvo V70, the next generation of one of the police force`s most popular vehicles, makes its UK debut in full police specification and livery at the National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) conference and exhibition at Wroughton on 14 and 15 August.

The all new V70 police car will be unveiled by Lennart Stegland, President of Volvo Special Vehicles, at 13:30 on 14 August, allowing guests the opportunity to see the car fully prepared for police use ahead of its official production in November 2007.

With over 40 years experience, the new Volvo police specification model maintains the current V70`s reputation for strength and reliability but also offers an improved chassis to enhance driving characteristics as well as introducing more benefits for police use such as an increased payload, more legroom and a reduced turning circle.

Sarah Tottle, Special Vehicles Manager, Volvo Car UK, said: "The Volvo V70 has always been much in demand by police forces across the UK, particularly among road policing units. The new model can only enhance its reputation as an essential police vehicle."

One of the key benefits of the new police vehicle is its impressive payload of 724kg (modified from the 539kg for standard production) in the D5 diesel model. This, combined with a larger load space in the rear and a clever underfloor lockable storage area, ensures that the vehicle can safely transport all the equipment necessary for modern policing, including heavy firearms when the situation demands.

Its intelligent cabin design allows more leg and shoulder room and also provides optimum comfort for road policing officers who spend long hours in the driving seat, often wearing heavy and bulky body armour. The new Volvo V70 also benefits from a reduced turning circle (from 11.9m to 11.2m), improving manoeuvrability in the tightest of spaces.

Volvo will also present its new Swedish police V70 "Turnkey" solution – a car built and equipped in the Volvo factory to Swedish police specification. Volvo Special Vehicles is currently working with Fleet Managers to create a similar "Turnkey" solution for the UK police, which can produce a road policing car fitted out ready for service in around eight weeks.