display
Rotating license plates, machine guns behind the headlights, at the push of a button the passenger seat throws the passenger out of the car.
Probably no other car has as many special functions as James Bond's Aston Martin DB5.
Patrolmen can only dream of this, but they too have a few additional options when it comes to equipping their company cars.
Manufacturers have special departments for patrol cars, ambulances, disaster control vehicles and special guards.
For example, the OSV division at Opel, which equips new civilian vehicles for special tasks: Here, explains spokesman Patrick Munsch, blue lights or flashing lights, searchlights and sirens are installed, radio technology is installed and the bodies are covered with the official uniform.
Car armor and fire extinguishing system
Many manufacturers go much further for special tasks.
Namely when it comes to protecting prominent inmates.
Then there is protection against attacks of all kinds for limousines and SUVs ex works or afterwards at a specialized service provider. There are bulletproof and explosion-proof sheets with carbon or armored steel inlays, mats made of aramid fibers and thick, robust panes.
display
And at Mercedes you get even more special protection functions: the tires can still drive without air, the tank holds tight after a gun fire.
Automatic extinguishing systems fight fires and an integrated oxygen supply guarantees sufficient breathing air even in dangerous situations.
A couple of blue lights, a radio - the fire department BMW is ready
Source: dpa-tmn
While such conversions are usually carried out under the direction of the manufacturer, fire and rescue services often have their vehicles converted by the service provider.
Medical equipment for ambulances, such as the spring-loaded mounts for stretchers or fire pumps, says MAN spokesman Thomas Pietsch, are usually built into the appropriately prepared vans by special suppliers.
Conversion of a series car to a patrol car
With these service and emergency vehicles, however, it is not always just about additional equipment.
Sometimes the police, fire fighters and rescue workers have to forego a few extras.
display
Leather seats, automatic air conditioning and other supposed luxury options are often not installed for such official fleets, says a BMW spokesman.
Occasionally, the situation is similar with the car radio.
US police cars differ more clearly from the underlying production vehicles.
Here the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan F-150
Source: dpa-tmn
The conversion from production cars to patrol cars in Germany is relatively subtle.
The automakers in the US traditionally go further.
They derive special police vehicles from their series models.
For example the Ford Interceptor based on the Explorer.
In addition to the external markings and the signal and communication equipment, it also has searchlights, a proximity radar, partition walls between the rows of seats, robust rear seats and sometimes more powerful motors.
Special vehicles for the military
display
Every now and then the car manufacturers are more accommodating.
If a customer is only significant enough and the order is large enough, own vehicles are created.
According to the client's ideas - especially for the military: According to the respective companies, there would be neither the VW 181 or Mercedes G-Class Kübelwagen if it weren't for major government contracts.
It is the same with the Lamborghini LM002 or the multi-purpose wheeled vehicle HMMWV, known as the Humvee.
And the legendary Willys MB - a construction for the US military - is considered the ancestor of today's Jeep vehicles.
The next new development for military purposes: The Kia KLTV
Source: dpa-tmn
Admittedly, the authorities are now mostly satisfied with current series models and smaller modifications, at least for semi-civilian use.
But such exclusive developments still exist today.
For example, Kia 2020 presented plans for a pick-up called KLTV.
It is constructed according to specifications of the military and should only have a civil career as a part-time job.
Discarded emergency vehicles can be bought
It is true that the company cars used by the police and border guards, fire brigade and ambulance services are not quite as fascinating as the cars from James Bond's fleet.
But they are also reasonably accessible for private individuals - at least after the end of their service.
Because while Aston Martin only offers the true-to-original replica of the DB5, including all gadgets, in small series and charges around four million euros per car, discarded patrol cars or ambulances are easier to get.
display
And, above all, cheaper: on relevant Internet portals such as the Verwertungsgesellschaft des Bundes (VEBEG), dozens of them are available for a few thousand euros in some cases.
However, interested parties have to come to terms with a few restrictions, as the providers make clear: blue light, siren and radio technology are usually deactivated.
Or they can be completely expanded before they are sold.
The Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger - you won't find as many modifications as in this James Bond car in any converted emergency vehicle
Source: dpa-tmn