Catching Ladri and Locking Them Up … In Your Community

Or, at least, Italian communities. In an unexpected benefit of Fiat Chrysler and its Italian-American relations, a few of the Arma dei Carabinieri are being outfitted with armored Jeep Grand Cherokees. Nineteen of them, to be precise.

With power going to all four wheels, Italian cops should be able to chase their quarry clear across Trevi Fountain. All it needs are some Boadicea wheel attachments.

In case you’re wondering why these Jeeps aren’t slathered with seafoam green and white livery, it’s due to Italy’s unique arrangement of law enforcement. Carabinieri are a military police force, a Gendarmerie-like group governed by the Ministry of Defense, with military and civilian duties. The Polizia di Stato is similar to other civilian police forces and is governed by the Ministry of Interior.

With that out of the way, we can tell you all of these rigs are — in the finest European tradition — powered by diesel. That’s the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 making 190 horsepower, in case you’ve forgotten. You probably have, since FCA currently treats diesel in North America with the same suspicion our Associate Editor would give to a rat that suddenly appeared in his apartment.

(This is true, and I’m gonna git that sucker – Ed.)

Armored bits on these GCs include unspecified body panels (can’t give too much away, I guess), plus bullet-resistant windows and tires. The suspension components of these tactical Jeep have been appropriately beefed up, allowing them to endure the armor’s extra weight.

Inside, the units have been fortified with all manner of extra electronics befitting official duty. A tablet mounted atop the 8.4 uConnect screen reminds this author that the new 12-inch unit currently wowing new Ram customers, which will likely see duty in a host of other FCA vehicles as soon as the company figures out supply issues. Engineer I am not, but it sure looks like the new jumbrotron would fit the GC’s dash without moving too many – if any – hard points.

These aren’t the first rigs FCA has supplied to the Carabinieri. Jeep Wranglers have been patrolling the coast since June, while those on the pavement beat have been enjoying a pair of Giulia Quadrifoglios for a couple of years now. They are not equipped with Boadiceas.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]