Toyota iQ New Surveillance Car in UK

The smart surveillance cars in UK seem to be a thing of the past, as a replacement has been found in the new Toyota iQ. The small Japanese car will be used by the Traffic Enforcement System and will be equipped with mobile CCTV and GPS systems, thermal-imaging cameras and numberplate-readers.

These are a lot of systems for such a little car, and if you add the weight of two officers, the kilograms can really become a problem. The surveillance iQs are powered by the 1.0-liter engine coupled to a automatic transmission, and feature modifications like a reinforced roof and a compressor.

“We’re getting a lot of good reviews at the moment,” says Managing Director Clive Paul. “Manchester Police, for example, are very keen to take the prototype for a full trial, and if they like it they’ll switch to iQs. We have also shown it to Devon & Cornwall Police, who were very impressed and have been in contact with TES to arrange a long-term trial.”

“The most important thing about the iQ is that it can carry more weight,” says Mr Paul. “At present, when carrying all the equipment and two operators we’re right on the borderline. We‘ve been having to make everything with aluminum to reduce weight, which adds substantially to our costs.”

Weight and space are not the only considerations. “It’s very important that we offer maneuverable small cars that can enforce traffic regulations without being an obstruction themselves,” says Mr Paul. “Also, councils are extremely eco-conscious.” The Toyota iQ 1.0-liter with multidrive returns 60mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km.

“We specify automatics because we have a lithium-ion battery in the back powered from the alternator, and the automatic has a larger alternator,” explains Mr Paul.
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