Toyota Corolla Hybrid Fits the Bill as Potential Police Patrol Car

The Toyota Corolla is helping police with their enquiries, as UK’s regional forces assess the British-built hybrid model’s potential as a patrol car.

A Corolla Touring Sports in Excel trim begins a series of month-long demonstration loans next week. Manufactured at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire, the car has been fitted out to police requirements, finished in a generic chequered police livery and equipped with roof light bar.

The highly efficient 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid powertrain has the kind of proven reliability and durability that’s well-suited to the day-in, day-out demands placed on police vehicles. It also offers highly efficient performance, with low CO₂ emissions and strong fuel economy. And when patrolling urban centres, it has the capacity to run on its electric power alone, with no harmful exhaust emissions. Teams on board are protected by an array of Toyota Safety Sense systems, as fitted as standard to all Corolla models, designed to help prevent or mitigate many common road accident risks.

In practical terms, the Corolla Touring Sports has a large and flexible load space that can accommodate plenty of necessary kit. With all seats in place, it has a 598-litre capacity.

Stuart Ferma, General Manager Toyota and Lexus Fleet, said: “The loan programme, supported by a our public sector fleet specialists, will demonstrate the performance and practicality benefits of the Corolla hybrid, and how it can help police forces reduce their fleet emissions with tried-and-tested technology. As a hybrid, it also provides more flexible performance compared to an all-electric vehicle and doesn’t require recharging facilities.”

Toyota has an impressive track record in supplying vehicles to the emergency services, including previous Yaris, Corolla, Avensis and RAV4 models. The latest RAV4 Hybrid was recently signed up as a new rapid response vehicle for the Welsh ambulance service and Land Cruiser models have been in action with the police and Highways Agency. The all-terrain Hilux has long proved its worth for teams that need to reach remote locations, including HM Coastguard and mountain rescue teams.  At the forefront of future zero emissions technology, 11 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell saloons are being used across London by the Metropolitan Police.

ENDS