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]
Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.
More by Matthew Guy
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- ToolGuy Why would they change the grille?
- Oberkanone Nissan proved it can skillfully put new frosting on an old cake with Frontier and Z. Yet, Nissan dealers are so broken they are not good at selling the Frontier. Z production is so minimal I've yet to see one. Could Nissan boost sales? Sure. I've heard Nissan plans to regain share at the low end of the market. Kicks, Versa and lower priced trims of their mainstream SUV's. I just don't see dealerships being motivated to support this effort. Nissan is just about as exciting and compelling as a CVT.
- ToolGuy Anyone who knows, is this the (preliminary) work of the Ford Skunk Works?
- Kwik_Shift_Pro4X I will drive my Frontier into the ground, but for a daily, I'd go with a perfectly fine Versa SR or Mazda3.
- Zerofoo The green arguments for EVs here are interesting...lithium, cobalt and nickel mines are some of the most polluting things on this planet - even more so when they are operated in 3rd world countries.
Comments
Join the conversation
For all those that complain about trouble seeing around new A pillars - checkout what the view is like in armoured cars.
Still not as cool as the Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina.