Lotus and Lamborghini police cars aren't exactly patrolling every city block, but such sports cars have become regular enough among police fleets that they don't shock us anymore. But the latest police supercar has come as a bit of a surprise. The world's first Mono police car puts a single officer inside BAC's open-air, track-focused roadster. So if you happen to see what looks like a brightly dressed go-cart in your rear-view, you might want to slow up a bit and be sure your speedometer lines up with street signs.
BAC has been using the Isle of Man's idyllic roads to test and further develop its Mono ever since launching it in 2011. And that's a good thing, because that testing and development has led to some intriguing upgrades, like the graphene-laced body and carbon-hybrid wheels it detailed last year.
We're not sure if BAC has had any previous run-ins with the Isle of Man Constabulary over the years, but we do know that it worked closely with the government in holding its Mono Experience Weekend on the island earlier this month. The Isle of Man closed and derestricted certain roads, allowing BAC clients to experience them to their fullest.
Now BAC is giving back, supplying the Isle of Man with a fully liveried Mono ready to report for police duty. The force will use it as a fleet car and a show car, taking it to festivals to promote safe, responsible driving.
It's hard to imagine driving the super-quick, open-air Mono without also imagining breaking a law or two, so we're not sure it exactly yells "roadway safety" or "obey speed limits." It will undoubtedly attract more festival visitors than a "FREE road safety pamphlets" banner, though. We'd certainly stop by and check it out if we saw it at a motor show or festival. And the constabulary's plan appears to be working already.
"It's a remarkable vehicle and clearly will be of huge interest to bikers and car drivers alike," said PC Andy Greaves, the force's dedicated Mono driver. "We are here to promote safe use of the road, and it's amazing how many people want to talk to you when this is your transport."
BAC doesn't mention any special tuning, but the stock 305-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder should prove plenty for all road and event duties. That engine fires the 1,279-lb (580-kg, dry weight) Mono from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in a mere 2.8 seconds, so it can keep pace with virtually anything ... at least at the start of the chase. Depending upon what it's chasing, it might run out of steam at higher speeds, topping out at 170 mph (274 km/h). And it had better slow down and let backup take over if the bullets start firing – that cockpit is the last place you want to be in that scenario.
This weekend, two-wheeled speed junkies from around the world will descend upon the Isle of Man for the start of the Isle of Man TT race series, which seems like a perfect venue for parading a police Mono around.
Source: BAC