Photo: Lokalepolitie.be
As if police lights weren't already the scariest thing you can see in your rearview mirror, they are now attached to the fastest Skoda production model ever built. Belgium police has just received the keys to this black Octavia vRS, powered by a 220 hp 2-liter turbo engine and looking a lot like Hasselhoff's KITT. What's more, this Czech kit has also been fitted with the latest plate scanner.
Installed directly onto the hood of the car, the new recognition system allows the police to read numbers of vehicles automatically and instantly compare them with a database of police and other agencies. Is that RHD Vectra stolen? They'll know. Has that van been seen near a bank robbery? The Octavia will pull it over.
The so-called Automatic Number Plate Recognition system has probably affected the aerodynamic efficiency of the Octavia. But considering it's capable of 0 to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds and has a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph), this shouldn't be much of a problem.
However, we really don't understand why the system is so bulky, almost like the Octavia 4-cylinder engine has been swapped for a dragster V8. I mean, weren't ANPR cameras supposed to be microscopic so as to not be easily seen? This Belgium police system also appears to have four different lenses, two pointing towards the sides and two more at the front. Supposedly, all the cameras work in infrared and can be deployed 24-7 in all weather conditions, including at night and during heavy rain.
Lokalepolitie.be reports that the plate-reading system has been installed at considerable expense. While the standard car retails for just under €30,000, this particular one costs a whopping €85,000. One recovered stolen BMW or drug bust and they'd have made up the difference, though!
The so-called Automatic Number Plate Recognition system has probably affected the aerodynamic efficiency of the Octavia. But considering it's capable of 0 to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds and has a top speed of 245 km/h (152 mph), this shouldn't be much of a problem.
However, we really don't understand why the system is so bulky, almost like the Octavia 4-cylinder engine has been swapped for a dragster V8. I mean, weren't ANPR cameras supposed to be microscopic so as to not be easily seen? This Belgium police system also appears to have four different lenses, two pointing towards the sides and two more at the front. Supposedly, all the cameras work in infrared and can be deployed 24-7 in all weather conditions, including at night and during heavy rain.
Lokalepolitie.be reports that the plate-reading system has been installed at considerable expense. While the standard car retails for just under €30,000, this particular one costs a whopping €85,000. One recovered stolen BMW or drug bust and they'd have made up the difference, though!
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