Porsche on Patrol: Austria Fights Crime with a 911

Austrian police’s patrol fleet just got faster and more powerful thanks to Porsche. Expect criminals to start shaking in their boots in 5…4….3…2…

“The Porsche 911 has long been emblematic of powerful sports cars that offer a high level of everyday practicality, particularly when it comes to safety as well a comfort over long distances – both crucial aspects for the police when they are patrolling the motorways”, emphasized Dr. Helmut Eggert, director of the Porsche Austria, as he handed over a gorgeous Porsche 911 to the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. But this was no ordinary 911. The Porsche was wrapped in a police design and outfitted with a flashing blue light and radio system. And all of this added safety comes courtesy of the German automaker, which has loaned the car to the Austrian police force until October, to be used for motorway policing. However, this is not the first time that the Austrians have tapped into the power of Porsche to give its police force the upper hand against crime. The country’s police force has a long history with Porsche.

‘With the new Porsche 911, we want to demonstrate that you can drive
responsibly and carefully even in a powerful sports car.’

The special-edition Porsche 911 patrol car will be operated on all Austrian motorways as both a way for cops to catch traffic criminals as well as to serve as an example to the community about safe driving. We’ll let the Austrian Police’s General Director for Public Security, Konrad Kogler, explain: “In 2016, 427 people died in traffic accidents on Austrian roads. With the new Porsche 911, we want to demonstrate that you can drive responsibly and carefully even in a powerful sports car.”

Eggert adds: “Our partnership with the police force has a long tradition. In the 1960s and ’70s, it was not unusual to see a Porsche police vehicle with a flashing blue light. And in 2006, the Federal Ministry of the Interior received a Porsche 911 to use for motorway policing”.

Porsche Bank AG has been a partner of the Federal Ministry of the Interior in its fleet management of leasing vehicles since 2005. The standard police cars are the VW Touran and the Skoda Octavia 4×4.

David Ciminelli

Los Angeles-based journalist David Ciminelli has covered everything from high-profile Lexus and Toyota reveals to reality TV show competitions focusing on custom automotive mods. He considers the "Droptops & Dirt" event in Malibu, “Luftgekühlt” and Sunset GT among his favorite automotive events to cover.

He has also interviewed artists like Megadeth and Jennifer Lopez, handled red carpet interviews at the MTV VMAs, and covered rock icons Rush getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard for media including The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Out Magazine, IN Los Angeles and more. His byline has also appeared in Billboard, Ad Week, Backstage and Art Voice.

Currently, David contributes to over a dozen automotive websites, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Club Lexus, Rennlist, Chevrolet Forum, Corvette Forum, Team Speed and Harley-Davidson Forums.