As reported by Toyota UK
A supplier of traffic-surveillance cars to local authorities and police forces has started trialling Toyota iQs, with a view to replacing its current small-car fleet.
Capacity and reliability of the small three-door hatchbacks are key attractions for Traffic Enforcement Systems, of Pulloxhill in Bedfordshire. At present TES operates 45 Smart Cars, which are hired out to bodies responsible for traffic regulation and community safety. The vehicles are fitted with a range of mobile CCTV and GPS systems, and specialist equipment such as thermal-imaging cameras or numberplate-readers may also be fitted.
In search of a small car with greater payload and space, TES has now bought and fitted out a Toyota iQ 1.0-litre automatic as a customer demonstrator, and has just ordered a second vehicle. “We’re getting a lot of good reviews at the moment,” says Managing Director Clive Paul. “Manchester Police, for example, are very keen to take the prototype for a full trial, and if they like it they’ll switch to iQs. We have also shown it to Devon & Cornwall Police, who were very impressed and have been in contact with TES to arrange a long-term trial.”
“The most important thing about the iQ is that it can carry more weight,” says Mr Paul. “At present, when carrying all the equipment and two operators we’re right on the borderline. We‘ve been having to make everything with aluminium to reduce weight, which adds substantially to our costs.”
The iQ solves this problem, as its gross vehicle weight is 150kg higher at 1200kg. “Manchester Police say they like the idea of being able to carry two operators, because with all their body armour and so on, at present they can carry only one. Police officers also tend to be over 6ft tall, so they can often use only women officers in the cars. The iQ has loads more space than the Smart Car.”
Weight and space are not the only considerations. “It’s very important that we offer manoeuvrable small cars that can enforce traffic regulations without being an obstruction themselves,” says Mr Paul. “Also, councils are extremely eco-conscious.” The Toyota iQ 1.0-litre with multidrive returns 60mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km.
A supplier of traffic-surveillance cars to local authorities and police forces has started trialling Toyota iQs, with a view to replacing its current small-car fleet.
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Capacity and reliability of the small three-door hatchbacks are key attractions for Traffic Enforcement Systems, of Pulloxhill in Bedfordshire. At present TES operates 45 Smart Cars, which are hired out to bodies responsible for traffic regulation and community safety. The vehicles are fitted with a range of mobile CCTV and GPS systems, and specialist equipment such as thermal-imaging cameras or numberplate-readers may also be fitted.
In search of a small car with greater payload and space, TES has now bought and fitted out a Toyota iQ 1.0-litre automatic as a customer demonstrator, and has just ordered a second vehicle. “We’re getting a lot of good reviews at the moment,” says Managing Director Clive Paul. “Manchester Police, for example, are very keen to take the prototype for a full trial, and if they like it they’ll switch to iQs. We have also shown it to Devon & Cornwall Police, who were very impressed and have been in contact with TES to arrange a long-term trial.”
“The most important thing about the iQ is that it can carry more weight,” says Mr Paul. “At present, when carrying all the equipment and two operators we’re right on the borderline. We‘ve been having to make everything with aluminium to reduce weight, which adds substantially to our costs.”
The iQ solves this problem, as its gross vehicle weight is 150kg higher at 1200kg. “Manchester Police say they like the idea of being able to carry two operators, because with all their body armour and so on, at present they can carry only one. Police officers also tend to be over 6ft tall, so they can often use only women officers in the cars. The iQ has loads more space than the Smart Car.”
Weight and space are not the only considerations. “It’s very important that we offer manoeuvrable small cars that can enforce traffic regulations without being an obstruction themselves,” says Mr Paul. “Also, councils are extremely eco-conscious.” The Toyota iQ 1.0-litre with multidrive returns 60mpg combined, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km.
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