RE: Atom 3.5R for Somerset police
Wednesday 4th June 2014
The Ariel Atom has been described as many things in the motoring media over the past decade or so. Today we can add to that list 'a highly-impactive engagement vehicle that will send a cautionary message to motorcyclists'.
'Do you know why I've stopped you today sir?'So yes, this battenburged Atom won't become the local panda car for the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. If anything that could increase juvenile delinquency in the hope of a passenger ride. Nope, it's role will be as part of a 'Safer Rider' campaign designed to increase awareness by and for motorcyclists with accident and death rates still high. Presumably the intention being that a biker is more likely to listen to the driver of a car that requires similar compromises. Or something like that. That Ariel is due to launch a motorcycle soon makes for a nice association as well.
Atom 3.5R for Somerset police
How better to get the message across about dangerous bikes than with a 350hp doorless car?
'Do you know why I've stopped you today sir?'
The car is based on the new Atom 3.5R and also features 'the latest aerodynamic Hella pursuit lights' as well as Somerset's livery. Even with emergency equipment (yes, really!), the police Atom is still capable of reaching 60mph in 2.5 seconds. Would make quite quite an interesting race with a superbi... oh sorry, not the point. Safer Rider, Safer Rider.
The campaign will be launched this Saturday at the Haynes Motor Museum where the Atom will be on display.
The Atom must also be a contender for coolest police car ever made also. Of course there's the Gallardo to consider, plus the Evora used by the Italian Carabinieri. All better than the Mitsubishi i-MiEV though.
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Discussion
will261058 said:
Not sure how that message comes across any better from the Atom than it would from a biker Plod.
Although that would rely on the police using motorbikes in the first place. Northumbria shelved its fleet five years ago for fear of litigation.I guess it's harder to fall off an Atom...
That's just bloody absurd. There can be no possible justification whatsoever for that other than someone in that force abusing their position and authority to gain a plaything. Seriously, that ought to be investigated, whether Ariel provided it FOC or not. It isn't, cannot and will never be justifiable.
Boydie88 said:
Hackney said:
Awaits Daily Mail article which clearly states Ariel lent the vehicle yet 2000 people get angry about Police wasting money
They've begun. It's trending on Facebook so I had a curious click to see what those sharing it think... and wow. It's these stories that really do highlight the number of idiots there are out there. 90% calling it a waste of taxpayers' money.Met did it with a Murcielago.
CAPP0 said:
That's just bloody absurd. There can be no possible justification whatsoever for that other than someone in that force abusing their position and authority to gain a plaything. Seriously, that ought to be investigated, whether Ariel provided it FOC or not. It isn't, cannot and will never be justifiable.
CAPP0 said:
That's just bloody absurd. There can be no possible justification whatsoever for that other than someone in that force abusing their position and authority to gain a plaything. Seriously, that ought to be investigated, whether Ariel provided it FOC or not. It isn't, cannot and will never be justifiable.
I have to agree. As with TV shows like 'Police Interceptors' etc it highlights the belief that it's one rule for the public and another for the police. Personally I think it delivers a bad message.To the people complaining that it's a shame of them money, first off, it's a marketing stunt.
Secondly, I actually think the police SHOULD driver cars like this, and like the EVO. Here they get stuck in a Smart car, more often than not having a bike on the back.
It looks f
king ridiculous and exudes no authority at all. Don't forget that the police, more often than not, have to rely on their authority to solve a situation (bar fight, 5 fighters, 2 cops, how do you think it would end if they don't radiate any authority/fear?). To be fair, I feel sorry for the police officers having to talk to youngsters that are laughing at them even before they exit their mini cooper. Might just as well put them in a clown suit and be done with it.
It's the diffirence between this:
And this:
The police need some "cool", when I was 13 all I wanted to be was a "police man", now the 13 year olds just laugh at them.
Secondly, I actually think the police SHOULD driver cars like this, and like the EVO. Here they get stuck in a Smart car, more often than not having a bike on the back.
It looks f
king ridiculous and exudes no authority at all. Don't forget that the police, more often than not, have to rely on their authority to solve a situation (bar fight, 5 fighters, 2 cops, how do you think it would end if they don't radiate any authority/fear?). To be fair, I feel sorry for the police officers having to talk to youngsters that are laughing at them even before they exit their mini cooper. Might just as well put them in a clown suit and be done with it.It's the diffirence between this:
And this:
The police need some "cool", when I was 13 all I wanted to be was a "police man", now the 13 year olds just laugh at them.
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