These Jeeps are going to be used by the anti-terror unit.
Italy’s national police, the Carabinieri, are known for their sweet choices of police cars. Outside of Italy, at least. We’re not sure what they’re known for inside Italy, but it’s probably for being the police.
The Carabinieri, being Italian, always get some of the coolest cruisers around. Going way back to the Alfa Romeo Giulia of the 1960s and ’70s. We’re sure they had cool stuff before that, but we can’t find photos of it. More recently, the Carabinieri fleet has included Alfa 159 sedans, a Lotus Evora S, and even the Fiat Grand Punto. Ok, the Punto isn’t that cool, but it’s still cooler than a Ford Crown Victoria! Maybe not as cool as an EcoBoost Police Interceptor, but we’re getting off topic.
The latest big addition to the fleet was a handful of Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglios. Modified with flashing LEDs everywhere, a defibrillator, and two weapons lockers. One in the trunk, the other under the hood. One holds guns, the other is a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 that boasts 510 hp and a six-speed stick.
Since Jeep (and the rest of the Chrysler stable) joined with Fiat, the police force has gotten some new fleet additions from the American side of the company. Like some lifted Jeep JKs for beach patrols. And some Jeep Renegades, for, well, we aren’t sure. Driving around and consuming bombolone and espresso? Probably not.
The latest is a Jeep Grand Cherokee that’s out to fight terror.
Under the hood of the 19 new Jeeps is a 3.0L V6 diesel that produces 190 hp. They use an eight-speed automatic, and you had best believe they have four-wheel drive. That makes them ideal to chasing bad guys off-road, but the Jeeps have on-road suspension upgrades to make sure they’re pursuit rated, not just Trail Rated.
Because these Jeeps are going to be used by the anti-terror unit, they get some extra reinforcement. The windshield and side glass, as well as the tires and body all have armour added. Jeep says that this means “a tactical vehicle capable of ensuring top-level safety for servicemen and women.” Though it’s definitely not as quick as the Quadrifoglios.
Other additions to the Jeeps include blue LED lights and a police database-linked tablet fixed to a sliding mount on the dash.
The relationship between Fiat and the Carabinieri started after the Second World War, when all of the patrol cars came from Alfa Romeo. These new Jeeps will all be in service by the end of the year.
Keyword: Jeep-abinieri: Italian Police Get Armoured Grand Cherokees