What’s the Czech for “You’re nicked”?

seized ferrari 458 converted into police car in czech republic

Crime doesn’t pay … that is unless you’re the Czech police officer charged with driving this new addition to the fleet: a 202mph Ferrari 458 Italia supercar that had been seized from a criminal.

The Ferrari will be used “against the most aggressive drivers on Czech highways, when chasing stolen vehicles, or during surveillance at the locations of reported tuning events,” according to an official release about the crime-fighting conversion.

One target will illegal supercar races that pass through different countries, of which there were about 30 a year before the coronavirus pandemic. Such events feature vehicles similar to the Ferrari with “extreme performance that normal patrol vehicles cannot fully compete with,” the police said.

Due to the skill needed to safely utilise that 200mph performance, the new police car will serve under the Czech Republic’s Special Surveillance Department, being driven only by specially trained police officers.

Despite the 458’s ample power thanks to its 4.5-litre, 562bhp V8 engine, and the fact that used examples of similar 2011 models can fetch up to £150,000, Czech police insist that the costs involved in conversion were not excessive.

seized ferrari 458 converted into police car in czech republic

It cost around 340,000 koruna (approximately £11,700 at current exchange rates) to modify for police use, or around the same price as a new Skoda Scala in the Czech Republic.

A further 130,000 koruna (£4,500) was required to get the car back into running order after being in storage for 10 years following its forfeiture, one of the reasons that the Ferrari currently only has around 1,200 miles on the clock.

Formerly finished in Ferrari’s best-known colour, Rosso Corsa, the 458 was resprayed in police-issue silver with yellow and blue reflective markings. Other modifications included the addition of a police radio, camera system and a panel of lights on top.

Czech police seize around 900 vehicles yearly, and while the majority are sold, some, including the Ferrari, are retained for official use.

Czech police’s retention of the Ferrari is in stark contrast to the tactics used by other countries. The Philippines set an example in the fight against illegal imports and tax dodging by famously crushing several high-end cars with a digger in 2020, including Porsches, a McLaren, a Bentley Flying Spur and a Lotus.

seized ferrari 458 converted into police car in czech republic

This Ferrari isn’t the first time that Czech police have employed something unusual and expensive — for a short while, BMW loaned one of its i8 plug-in hybrid models to the force, only for it to be crashed within a month after an officer suffered a medical incident.

Nor are Czech police alone in using supercars to pursue criminals. In the 1960s, police in Rome used a pair of V12-engined Ferrari 250 GTE models as pursuit cars. Although one barely lasted a year before being wrecked in the line of duty, the other and its driver, policeman Armando Spatafora, became legendary in the Italian capital, remaining on duty for six years and always being sent back to Maranello for servicing.

Italian police are still well-known for using Lamborghinis as high-speed pursuit cars, while various European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, have used Porsches over the years.

seized ferrari 458 converted into police car in czech republic

None can compare to the fleet of supercars used by Dubai police in the United Arab Emirates. At times its fleet has included an incredibly rare Aston Martin One-77, a Bentley Continental GT, Bugatti Veyron, a suite of McLarens, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, a Porsche 918 and even a Rolls-Royce Wraith, all of which are primarily used for patrolling tourist areas to project the image of the country’s wealth.

In recent decades, high-speed British police vehicles have generally tended to be powerful versions of low-key executive and estate cars such as the BMW 5 Series and Volvo 850. That’s not to say there haven’t been some more outlandish and interesting police cars used in the UK over the years.

Police in Essex briefly trialled a version of the Ford RS200 back in the 1980s, though despite its rally-bred performance, it proved impractical.

seized ferrari 458 converted into police car in czech republic

While police cars such as the V8-powered Rover SD1 (above) and Mini Cooper S are well-known, in the sixties and seventies, several police forces in the UK used various versions of the genteel MGB, including the roadster, GT and GT V8 model.

Jaguar police cars such as the 1960s S-Type weren’t hugely uncommon. However, some of the stranger Jaguar and Daimler models in use in Britain over the years included the weird-but-quick, V8-powered, fibreglass-bodied Daimler SP250 used by the Metropolitan Police in the early 1960s to catch speeding café racers.

The SP250 was used by the Met and several other forces up and down the country, while Warwickshire police in the 1980s briefly used an XJS police demonstrator on loan from Jaguar for patrolling the M6 motorway.

  • After reading about the Czech police repurposing a seized Ferrari, discover why electric police cars aren’t ready just yet
  • Keen to go electric? Here are the top 10 longest-range electric cars
  • And click here to see all the car makers’ electric vehicle plans

Keyword: Seized Ferrari 458 converted into police car in Czech Republic

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Sainz: Ferrari defeat to Mercedes ‘fair’ reflection of F1 2023

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari’s defeat to Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship in Abu Dhabi painted a “fair” reflection of the teams’ respective form in 2023. Having ...

View more: Sainz: Ferrari defeat to Mercedes ‘fair’ reflection of F1 2023

Leclerc explains tactics in closing stages of Abu Dhabi GP

Charles Leclerc (FRA), Scuderia Ferrari 26.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Race Day. Charles Leclerc has explained the tactics that saw him relinquish second position on the road to Sergio Perez during the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi ...

View more: Leclerc explains tactics in closing stages of Abu Dhabi GP

F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen cruises to win as Mercedes beat Ferrari to second in constructors' championship

Max Verstappen capped off a record-breaking, championship winning 2023 F1 season in style with victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Having fended off a first-lap attack from Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, the result was never in doubt for Verstappen, who comfortably claimed a record-extending 19th win from 22 races. ...

View more: F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen cruises to win as Mercedes beat Ferrari to second in constructors' championship

Listen to This Manual Ferrari F430 Hit 192 MPH On The Autobahn

What do you get when you pair a gated shifter and a flat-plane crank Ferrari V-8 to a road with no speed limit? Pure automotive bliss.

View more: Listen to This Manual Ferrari F430 Hit 192 MPH On The Autobahn

Sainz believes rivals deliberately impeded final Abu Dhabi Q1 run

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was a shock exit in the first round of qualifying Saturday in Abu Dhabi and credited the likes of Mercedes and Alpine in ...

View more: Sainz believes rivals deliberately impeded final Abu Dhabi Q1 run

Charles Leclerc says Abu Dhabi front row a “big surprise” after fearing Q1 exit with ‘peaky’ Ferrari F1 car 

Charles Leclerc says ending up on the front row of the grid for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a “big surprise” after he feared a Q1 elimination. The Ferrari driver produced a special lap with his final run of Q3 to put his car on the front ...

View more: Charles Leclerc says Abu Dhabi front row a “big surprise” after fearing Q1 exit with ‘peaky’ Ferrari F1 car 

Leclerc reveals Q1 exit concerns before ‘surprise’ Abu Dhabi front row

Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari celebrates his second position in qualifying parc ferme. 25.11.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 23, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, Qualifying Day. Charles Leclerc admits he was concerned about being eliminated in Q1 before ending up with a “surprise” front row ...

View more: Leclerc reveals Q1 exit concerns before ‘surprise’ Abu Dhabi front row

Michael Mann's Ferrari Is An Authentic Portrait Of One Of Motorsport's Weirdest Guys

Gif: IGN / YouTube If you’re familiar with the oft-mythologized story of Enzo Ferrari, there are a few things you’ll know about the man. He rarely left Modena, the small Italian town he called home, after he and his wife Laura founded Scuderia Ferrari. He ran the most iconic ...

View more: Michael Mann's Ferrari Is An Authentic Portrait Of One Of Motorsport's Weirdest Guys

Sainz rendered a ‘passenger’ in heavy FP2 crash

Mercedes and Ferrari’s £8m duel for P2 examined ahead of Abu Dhabi F1 season showdown

A farewell to GTE, part two: Ferrari, Ford, Porsche and Dodge

Leclerc targets 2024 F1 title battle after ‘disappointing’ season

Ferrari want ‘more clarity’ on F1 rules after Sainz Vegas GP penalty

Ferrari Roma Spider makes Malaysian debut, RM3.2 million

Ferrari opens new showroom next to KLCC

Ital Auto Malaysia Opens Ferrari Showroom In Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur

Watch The Coolest Custom Ferrari On the Planet Grenade Its Honda Engine On Track

Ital Auto Malaysia: Ferrari Malaysia’s New Home

Ferrari Purosangue is now in Malaysia from RM5 million

How Ferrari gets payback for 'stupid' F1 rule + Gary Anderson's view

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel