450-hp Audi RS4 Avant joins Sydney's police force

V8-engined longroof added to fleet to help community outreach efforts

Audi police cars are nothing new -- at least in other countries -- but most departments try to get the most bang for their buck and order the lowest-spec A4s available -- think cloth seats and manual transmissions. But that's not how the police near Sydney, Australia will roll this year after the newest addition to their motor pool. The Lake Illawarra Local Area Command (LAC) of the New South Wales Police Force just received an Audi RS4 Avant.

"Our use of the Audi RS4 will encourage people of all ages to introduce themselves to local police, using the car itself to help start up a conversation," Superintendent Wayne Starling, Commander of Lake Illawarra LAC, said in a statement. "An exciting high-performance car such as this provides an engaging and visible platform for our community and youth engagement activities."

The conversation we'd probably start is inquiring politely how the department can afford the $110,000 longroof rocket. Turns out there's a perfectly good explanation: Audi is loaning the car to the department for 12 months.

PHOTO BY AUDI

The RS4 Avant packs a 4.2-liter V8 good for 445 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Sending that power to all for wheels is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, with the total package capable of sprints to 62 mph of just 4.7 seconds.

"It's about talking to car enthusiasts on their level and having them understand the technology we have available," says John Hartley, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol.

By "enthusiasts" the NSW Police Assistant Commissioner probably means hoons, but use of that word by police officials is likely frowned upon by their superiors.

The livery for the car was selected by Audi Australia Facebook followers in June of this year, with some 800 group members participating in the contest.

"It’s hugely important for us to show our support of the NSW Police Force, and especially their youth engagement programs, as a way of giving back to the community," said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia. "Audi has been extraordinarily successful in Australia over the last decade, and so we are delighted to contribute in this way."