Australian Cops Are Replacing Their Commodores And Falcons With The Kia Stinger GT

[MerlintheMad]

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That's just, wrong. I get a feeling of betrayal. Like one of "ours" is working for the enemy. (That's because a Libertarian is pathematically opposed to the police being employed to nanny our highways; they have actual criminals to go after; and if someone can't play nicely on the highway it isn't a problem until the damage is done, just like all other crimes: intent does not translate into action until the criminal ACTS; going fast shouldn't be a crime; you should just be an adult and know your limitations, like every aspect of life.)

 

[Coast GT]

That's just, wrong. I get a feeling of betrayal. Like one of "ours" is working for the enemy. (That's because a Libertarian is pathematically opposed to the police being employed to nanny our highways; they have actual criminals to go after; and if someone can't play nicely on the highway it isn't a problem until the damage is done, just like all other crimes: intent does not translate into action until the criminal ACTS; going fast shouldn't be a crime; you should just be an adult and know your limitations, like every aspect of life.)

Have to disagree with you MerlintheMad, spend some time pulling dead mangled bodies from cars following accidents on a highway or freeway, or worst still, live ones screaming at you in agony and then tell me the police have no place being on highways. Funnily enough criminals use the highways as well.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Have to disagree with you MerlintheMad, spend some time pulling dead mangled bodies from cars following accidents on a highway or freeway, or worst still, live ones screaming at you in agony and then tell me the police have no place being on highways. Funnily enough criminals use the highways as well.

But I didn't say the cops don't belong on the highways. We need them there as much as anywhere. But that Stinger will be used first and foremost to chase people speeding for the fun of it. Idiots behaving in a careless manner should be run down. But people going fast should be left to their fun. If the world were made this way, and not just Germany, there would be less stress in it.

 

[Coast GT]

But I didn't say the cops don't belong on the highways. We need them there as much as anywhere. But that Stinger will be used first and foremost to chase people speeding for the fun of it. Idiots behaving in a careless manner should be run down. But people going fast should be left to their fun. If the world were made this way, and not just Germany, there would be less stress in it.

They don’t do it for the fun of it, they do it because it’s against the law and because one of the consequences of speeding is people die. That Stinger will be used for a whole range of things that the community expect the police to do, not just speed enforcement.

By definition excessive speeding would be behaving in a careless manner and as such you say people doing that should be run down, but you advocate for no speed limit because it’s fun. You contradict yourself. Also FYI Germany has Highway Patrol as well, it’s not every road that’s unlimited. We also have a section of highway in central Australia with no speed limit but you’ll still find police out there patrolling, and the Northern Territory Police who cover that area are also evaluating the Stinger.

So there’s nothing wrong with the Stinger being used as a police vehicle, in fact Kia have been pushing for it here because they feel it will benefit the brand. Most people see a vehicle being used by police as being reliable and many will lean towards buying one for that reason.

 

[MerlintheMad]

By definition excessive speeding would be behaving in a careless manner and as such you say people doing that should be run down, but you advocate for no speed limit because it’s fun. You contradict yourself.

I do not. "Excessive speeding" is anything more than ten above, just about everywhere. In other words, worthless. So, going over ten above is "excessive" to the law, a nanny law. I don't advocate for no speed limits. I want open highways where going FAST is expected and designed into the driving there. Everywhere else you should get slammed for breaking the speed limit. But we don't get options. It's just "speeding" everywhere. There is no venue for enjoying speed in a responsible manner.

And yes, that Stinger cruiser is going to go after anyone doing eleven over, because that's what brings in the revenue. Pure bully pucky.

I do have to scale back my initial remarks, which were partially spoken in jest to get a reaction. The Stinger will be a good cop car. But I don't like MY car "tricked out" that way. It's ugly as sin.

 

[Coast GT]

I do not. "Excessive speeding" is anything more than ten above, just about everywhere. In other words, worthless. So, going over ten above is "excessive" to the law, a nanny law. I don't advocate for no speed limits. I want open highways where going FAST is expected and designed into the driving there. Everywhere else you should get slammed for breaking the speed limit. But we don't get options. It's just "speeding" everywhere. There is no venue for enjoying speed in a responsible manner.

And yes, that Stinger cruiser is going to go after anyone doing eleven over, because that's what brings in the revenue. Pure bully pucky.

I do have to scale back my initial remarks, which were partially spoken in jest to get a reaction. The Stinger will be a good cop car. But I don't like MY car "tricked out" that way. It's ugly as sin.

Sorry mate wrong again. Most Highway Patrol won’t even look at you for going 10 over on a freeway here, at least not in my state. At 15 they’ll start to pay attention, at 20 and above, here’s your ticket, slow down, have a nice day. General rule only, not set in concrete as it’s up to the discretion of the officer. Residential streets and built up areas is a different story. So that Stinger (which isn’t my state) won’t ping you for 11 over. Highway patrol isn’t revenue raising its accident prevention and promoting free flow of traffic. Fixed speed cameras are revenue raising and we have plenty of those as well.

Whilst I agree the speed limit could be increased on certain roads, there’s a lot of people who struggle to drive at the current speeds without having accidents, seems changing lanes or driving in a straight line is a problem for some, and don’t even start me on people who can’t manage to drive in the wet. There wouldn’t be a single day that goes by where there’s no crash of some sort on the motorway in my area and it’s 3 lanes wide divided road for the most part. So the limits are there to cater to the lowest common denominator.

As for no venue to enjoy speed in a responsible manner, it’s called a racetrack.

We don’t have purpose built police cars here like you do in the US so nobody cares that the same model car they bought is being used by the police as it’s normal here.

The only time we did build a purpose built police vehicle in Australia we exported it to the US as the Chevy PPV. None were sold in Australia as Holden would only agree to make them for the Australian market if every police force in the country agreed to buy it, which they didn’t as they all have slightly different standards for vehicles, oh and our various State Governments are too tight arsed to spend any money to give the police the resources they need. So our cops are stuck with bog standard family cars that anybody can buy at their local dealership. Which is what makes the Stinger a good choice for them given it’s performance, plus it’s about the only thing left that’s RWD. Other than the Stinger Highway Patrol are using BMW530D, Chrysler 300SRT to replace what’s left of their Australian built Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons, as for the rest of the Police fleet they are stuck with Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa Fe, & Kia Sorrento, non of which are suited to being a police vehicle. It’s a shame Ford won’t look at shipping a RHD version of their purpose built police vehicles to Australia.

Anyway I’m sure you’ll disagree with me again MerlintheMad but this thread was about Australian cops replacing their existing fleet with Stingers not the for and against of speed limits and policing them.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I won't disagree. Your highways are handled differently, that seems obvious. But twenty over is still a doodle drive for this car and many that go as fast or faster in perfect safety. "Lowest common denominator", heh. I think I'll just leave it there.

 

[Coast GT]

Hope this link to twitter works

Kia Australia on Twitter

 

[Coast GT]

Seems the Yanks want to see what the Aussie Cops have done with the Stinger. Kia America paid for QLD Police to ship one of their cars to SEMA in Vegas to try and promote it to US Cops

QLD Police Kia Stinger Hits Las Vegas. » EFTM

 

[RVance]

I don't think Kia sending a cop car to SEMA has anything to do with any American interest, as welcome as that might be for the fan base. It would make a neat display to emphasize the Stinger's stock performance virtues, I guess. American cop cars are typically large SUV's or sedans that can fit large men wearing huge tool belts, computer and shotgun(s) mounted in front, with room in the back for detainees. As a highway patrol cruiser, a minimally equipped officer could run down speeders only. Any arrests would require back-up to arrive and assist. An expensive and impractical proposition. In the 80's, Mustangs and Camaros were used for a limited application like this, but later discontinued. If any American police agencies were interested in a patrol Stinger, I'd be shocked. Especially with cheaper Hemi Chargers and Eco Boost Explorers available. Do the Australian police just run down speeders with theirs and hope no assistance is necessary?

 

[TwistedOrca]

IDK, the California Highway Patrol kinda made a legend out of the Mustang LX Sedan 5.0.

Troopers sure did here in FL as well, I believe those notchbacks had few minor performance upgrades as well...thinking gearing and intake. Wonder if these will have performance additions?

 

[MerlintheMad]

In the 80's, Mustangs and Camaros were used for a limited application like this, but later discontinued.

I'm positive I saw a Mustang in Murray, UT, within the last four years, as a cop cruiser. If I ever see a Stinger as a cop cruiser, it will be like looking at a sister who has turned to the Dark Side.

 

[RVance]

I could definitely see a high performance highway cruiser in a state with long stretches of interstate roads. Cali had tons of 5.0 Mustangs for a few years, but they must not have filled needs or we would still be seeing them on I-5. They were stock except for improved water and oil cooling, chassis stiffeners (for rolling over curbs), and calibrated speedos. I always felt I had a free pass in my 5.0 Fox when they were used. But I didnt, lol.

 

[Coast GT]

Note the red Queensland Police Stinger lurking between the two New South Wales fire trucks. For our overseas viewers next to the Stinger is a Holden Commodore SS which you would know as a Chevy SS, and in the foreground is a Hyundai Sonata. All from Queensland Police. If it’s the turbo Sonata and it should be as it’s attached to Highway Patrol, it’s running basically the same as the 2.0L Stinger although it’s front wheel drive.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

The footage I saw on the news the other night about the big bushfires in QLD I saw a Micro Blue Highway Patrol Stinger in the middle of the road (rear view shot) with all lights on stopping through traffic, it was very smokey & late afternoon, the tail lights gave it away..

 

[Morry]

There is a marked and a dark coloured unmarked Stinger in Rockhampton QLD.

 

[MerlintheMad]

If it’s the turbo Sonata and it should be as it’s attached to Highway Patrol, it’s running basically the same as the 2.0L Stinger although it’s front wheel drive.

Ah, that must be the one; the car that tried to beat me onto the on ramp a couple of days ago. It was a Hyundai sedan, and it must have been the turbo 2.0L or it wouldn't have tried. So, it was like me vying with a basic or premium Stinger, minus the rear wheels.

 

[Dochidalgo]

Surely they had to improve the suspension in addition, otherwise I do not think the Stinger is a good option as a police patrol. My Stinger required upgrading springs and sway bars for street use only.

 

[OliverNuther]

The footage I saw on the news the other night about the big bushfires in QLD I saw a Micro Blue Highway Patrol Stinger in the middle of the road (rear view shot) with all lights on stopping through traffic, it was very smokey & late afternoon, the tail lights gave it away..

Yes. Watching those reports I saw 3 Stingers all around Rocky and Mackay. Plus Morry’s sighting there seems to be plenty of them in Central Queensland. I haven’t seen any in Brisbane yet although I was talking to a bloke in the supermarket the other week who told me the cops have already totalled one Stinger. He has 2 sons who are cops and got the info from them.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Surely they had to improve the suspension in addition, otherwise I do not think the Stinger is a good option as a police patrol. My Stinger required upgrading springs and sway bars for street use only.

The suspension on the AU Stingers were tuned to our conditions & RHD, I think this is why there seems to be conflicting messages about the difference in drive modes, I have read that NA Stingers that there is not much difference between comfort & sport, whereas for me here in OZ the difference is considerably noticeable, but it still didn’t stop me from upgrading my sway bars.
Most police cars, especially Highway Patrol get some sort of performance upgrades before being put into service, they just don’t advertise it.