Porsche delivers fully uniformed Panamera to NSW Police

Porsche Cars Australia has delivered a Panamera sedan to NSW Police as a community engagement and promotional tool. As part of its corporate social responsibility program, Porsche has offered the car initially for a six-month trial, with an option for a further six months should the NSW Police see sufficient benefit.

The company will absorb all costs for the car bar fuel, tolls and traffic infringement fines.

The $200K Panamera, a 220kW/400Nm V6 model, has been optioned up with the Sport Chrono Package Plus, sharpening up the engine response and handling. Despite this, a 20-inch wheel upgrade, full NSW Police livery, a full panoply of flashing lights and 260km/h top speed, it will not be used for enforcement or pursuit. Rather, the company and NSW Police envisage it will play an important goodwill role, raising public curiosity and acting as an icebreaker between police and the public.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch, on hand to take delivery of the car, told motoring.com.au the Panamera will be shared by the Harbourside and North Shore Area Commands. “But we’ll obviously be sending it out to get all the exposure we can for it. We’ve already slated it for the V8 Supercars in Homebush, and we’re looking to get it out to Bathurst as well.”

In a statement, NSW Police spokesman Superintendent Alan Sicard said the car has plenty of potential as a point of community engagement. “The use of a Porsche at community events, fairs and programs will act as an icebreaker in talking to younger members of the public; in particular whose dealings or perception of the police are often generally negative.

“The Porsche gives us a chance to talk to kids on an informal basis outside the legal system in the hope that we can influence them and help them make a positive contribution to society.”

Asked if similar presentations were planned for other states, Porsche spokesman Paul Ellis told motoring.com.au the company will assess the NSW exercise before looking interstate. “This is the first time we’ve delivered a car for such a purpose, so we’re as interested as they are to see how it goes, what kind of uses they might find for it.”