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Australian police get McLaren and Aston Martin supercars

For a few weeks, police in New South Wales will get to drive around in style to help raise awareness for the Police Legacy charity.

Michelle Starr Science editor
Michelle Starr is CNET's science editor, and she hopes to get you as enthralled with the wonders of the universe as she is. When she's not daydreaming about flying through space, she's daydreaming about bats.
Michelle Starr
2 min read

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The McLaren 650S on loan to the NSW Police. NSW Police Harbourside LAC

You wouldn't want to get into a high-speed car chase with one of these bad boys: the NSW Police Harbourside Local Area Command has just added a McLaren 650S and an Aston Martin Vanquish Volante to its official fleet.

However, the two supercars aren't for regular policing, nor will they be a permanent fixture on Sydney's streets. They have been loaned to the force for just a few weeks by a local dealership, which will cover all the costs of the vehicles except for fuel.

Both cars have been given a NSW Police makeover, with blue-and-white decals declaring their law enforcement affiliation. Underneath, the AU$450,000 McLaren 650S is a brilliant, eye-catching yellow, while the $500,000-plus Aston Martin Vanquish Volante is a suave silver.

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The Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, which retails for over $500,000. NSW Police Harbourside LAC

The cars made their police debut on September 12 at the annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, a day that pays tribute to the sacrifices of officers killed on duty. In celebration of 2015 being 100 years since the first policewomen were hired in NSW, the vehicles will be driven exclusively by female officers.

For the next few weeks, the two cars will be driven around to help raise awareness for Police Legacy NSW, a police charity that takes care of serving and retired police officers and their families in times of need.

"These sponsorship arrangements are designed to promote community engagement with NSW Police. This agreement is designed to promote tomorrow's Police Legacy Wall to Wall ride and celebrate 100 years of Women in Policing," a police spokesperson said in a statement.

"In line with the long standing NSW Police Force Sponsorship Policy, the vehicles are not operational and have not been fitted with lights and sirens. They will be driven by serving female police officers."

The McLaren 650S and Aston Martin Vanquish Volante will make their final appearance at the annual Bathurst 1000 1,000-kilometre (621-mile) touring car race on October 8-11 before being delivered back to their owners.