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The new Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, which
replaces the previous Gallardo in use by the
Italian police force since 2004 has a 560
horsepower engine that can reach speeds of
up to 203 mph. The car will begin service
with the Lazio Highway Police Department in
order to continue accident and crime
prevention to sustain security on the
Italian roads. |
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A private
ceremony was held today at the Viminale Palace where
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. donated a police version
of the company’s newest super sports car, Gallardo
LP560-4 Polizia, to the head of the Italian State
Police, Prefect Antonio Manganelli.
The new Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, which replaces the
previous Gallardo in use by the Italian police force
since 2004 has a 560 horsepower engine that can reach
speeds of up to 203 mph. The car will begin service with
the Lazio Highway Police Department in order to continue
accident and crime prevention to sustain security on the
Italian roads.
Proof of outstanding reliability
Its predecessor is proof of Lamborghini’s outstanding
product quality. Since 2004, Rome’s police force has had
the first-generation Gallardo in regular police service.
The sports car has clocked nearly 87,000 miles of patrol
duty on the motorways of central and southern Italy, as
well as on emergency medical transport detail.
A second Gallardo, painted in blue and white police
colours, has been in service around Bologna, Italy since
2005. Its odometer already shows more than 62,000 miles.
Aside from regular servicing, neither of the super
sports cars has required major repairs.
In addition to the clearly effective deterrent offered
by the presence and visibility of a Lamborghini on the
highway, the technological equipment on board these
vehicles makes them highly effective in the control of
hazardous behaviour on the roads (high speeds, driving
in the emergency lane, dangerous over-taking); the
automatic recognition of number plate tracking and
real-time transmission of images to the control rooms.
High-tech video system with real-time retrieval
The cabin of the super sports car is fitted with the
latest advancements in police technology to immediately
document the evidence of any transgression. The video
system is positioned in the center of the cabin with a
camera fitted next to the rear view mirror and a
computer and recording equipment behind the seats. As
soon as police officers discover a suspicious driver,
they activate the “Proof Video Data System.” With the
help of GPS data, the device can calculate the location,
direction of movement and speed of the Lamborghini. This
combined with the distance and time before intercept,
accurately determines the speed of the vehicle being
pursued.
Using radio data transmission, the video system in the
Gallardo Polizia transfers its images in real time to
the relevant police station. There, the videos are
stored and used for automatic number plate retrieval.
This information can be used for immediate
identification of stolen vehicles.
The “classic” array of police equipment on board too
In addition to its high tech equipment, the Gallardo is
also fitted with the “classic” array of police
equipment, such as a gun holster, police radio equipment
and the “Paletta,” the traditional hand-held stop sign
used to advise motorists and traffic offenders to pull
over. Officers can then use a removable screen to show
offenders their misdeeds immediately, complete with an
overlay of all the associated data.
Rapid response in medical emergencies
The Lamborghini is used regularly for urgent medical
transportation too. The luggage compartment in the front
of the vehicle is equipped with a specialized
refrigeration system for safe transportation of donor
organs. For extreme emergencies, there is also a
defibrillator used to restore a normal heart rhythm to
patients by delivering an electrical shock to the heart
to stop massive cardiac arrhythmia or ventricular
fibrillation, and thus save lives.
Officer training
The 30 police officers permitted to drive the Gallardo
Polizia receive special training in the use of the
Gallardo’s medical equipment. Each person on the special
operations team – which includes three women – has
undertaken several days of driver training with
Lamborghini, under the leadership of the Lamborghini
test drivers. The basis of trouble-free everyday
operation is the exceptional safety of the Gallardo
LP560-4 with its permanent all-wheel drive and its
refined chassis, which maintains stability even at the
highest speeds. Lamborghini’s extremely high standards
for product quality and reliability ensure that the
Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia is always ready for duty.
Even the blue light is designed for speed
Now the successor is ready – a new generation Gallardo
LP560-4 with the very latest in special equipment. The
Lamborghini wears its uniform with pride, painted in
accordance with requirements in “blu Polizia” – whereby
the white stripes and lettering follow the Gallardo’s
dynamic design angles. Its main patrol beat will once
again be central and southern Italy, primarily on the
motorway between Salerno and Reggio Calabria.
The police beacon on the roof of the Gallardo had to be
aerodynamically optimised being that the new police car
reaches a considerably higher top speed than regular
service vehicles. Despite the extremely flat
construction of the signal lighting, blue LEDs are
fitted round the base to ensure the visual signal cannot
be missed. The roof-mounted lighting is supported by
further blue LED signals on the front, sides and rear of
the light’s aluminium shell. A total of four sirens
integrated into the front and rear of the Gallardo
generate unmistakable audible warning signals.
On duty even in New York
Just like its predecessor, the new Lamborghini Gallardo
LP560-4 Polizia is destined to be not only the fastest,
but also the most famous police car – even beyond
Italian borders.
The Italian State Police uniform, and the unquestionable
attraction of the Lamborghini brand, continue to arouse
curiosity and interest. Thousands of citizens have the
possibility to see the car for themselves during the
many events organized to promote the vehicles in use.
Alongside its daily operational duties, the Gallardo
also has regular public appearance obligations, such as
its role as parade leader every year in Rome’s
traditional “Festa di Polizia,” or its escort
responsibilities at events with historical vehicles,
like the Targa Florio and the Milan – San Remo Rally.
Its predecessor even represented the Italian police in
New York City at the 2005 “Columbus Day” parade.
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