Is New Zealand Ready for Its Police Going Renegade?

Is New Zealand Ready for Its Police Going Renegade?

With the production of the cars that make up New Zealand’s traditional police cars coming to an end perhaps it’s time that New Zealand police should consider following their British counterparts and becoming Renegade Cops.

Jeep Renegade, that is, the new car of choice by the Wiltshire Police in the UK.

The Renegade, which arrived in New Zealand this month, was chosen to sport full UK police colours because it is as accomplished off road as it is in the tight urban spaces of Swindon, as well as having best in class interior space to carry all the essentials of Police life.

In New Zealand, the Jeep Renegade comes in one version, the Trailhawk, which has all the features and equipment to make it an ideal recruit for the New Zealand Police Force.

For a start it has a potent 2.4 litre 129 kW Tigershark engine that enables it to get to a 100 kmh in 8.4 seconds and to top 200 kmh – where the law permits, of course. At the same time a combined fuel consumption of 7.5 litres/100 km means it will, as a police car, save taxpayers’ money. The boot can take up to 1.3 cubic metres of traffic cones, rescue equipment, warning signs and other police paraphernalia. Compact exterior dimensions make it ideal for urban police use, but it is the Renegade’s sophisticated four wheel system and off road ability that truly sets it apart from mainstream police cars.

The New Zealand specification Jeep Renegade Trailhawk offers as standard best-in-class 4x4 capability in all weather conditions. Its unique rear-axle disconnect system delivers 4x2 levels of fuel-efficiency, and instantly engages 4x4 when traction is needed. Enabled by an innovative single speed power-transfer unit, Jeep Active Drive Low is fully automatic and delivers seamless operation in and out of four-wheel drive, and at any speed. This system requires no driver intervention, delivers yaw correction during dynamic driving events and improves both understeer and oversteer.

Jeep Active Drive Low can provide up to 200 Nm of the engine’s available torque to the rear wheels, enabling optimal grip in low-traction conditions.

A fully variable wet clutch housed in the rear-drive module utilizes the Jeep brand’s proprietary algorithms to provide the proper amount of torque for any driving condition a police car might confront, including low-traction surfaces, aggressive starts and dynamic driving.

Jeep Active Drive Low also offers a 20:1 crawl ratio, earning the Renegade Trailhawk the coveted Trail Rated badge, enabling the Jeep Renegade to reach crimes where other police cars fear to tread.

Jeep Active Drive Low also features the brand’s Selec-Terrain traction-control system. Selec-Terrain allows the driver to dial in the desired on- or off-road setting for optimum performance. Five customised settings are offered on Trailhawk: Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock modes, which pretty well covers most conditions in New Zealand. For even greater Trail Rated off-road capability, Selec-Terrain includes Selec-Speed Control with Hill-descent Control.

Which just leaves just one question, to become Renegade cops, will New Zealand police have to turn to crime to get behind the wheel of a Jeep Renegade? With a recommended retail price of $49,990 excluding delivery and dealer costs and given all its ability, the Jeep Renegade is as affordable as it capable.

Which leaves one question – is it time for New Zealand Police to turn Renegade….

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