Commodore tradition maintained by South Australian police car fleet in 2018 even after the local industry ends

The South Australian police Commodores are equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox that works with an all-wheel drive system. 

South Australian police stuck with a 70-year-old local tradition in 2018 by choosing to trial 160 new ZB Holden Commodore RS V6 models for its fleet. This is while other states were diversifying into vehicles such as the Kia Stinger, BMW5 Series and Chrysler 300 SRT after the Australian car industry exit.

The South Australian choice Commodores are equipped with a nine-speed automatic gearbox 3.6-litre V6 producing 235kW and that works with an all-wheel drive system and should be able to match the VXR models' 6.2sec 0-100km/h sprint times. They also have lane-departure and frontal-collision warnings.

The Commodore RS V6 were expected to become SA police's highway pursuit vehicle, while 40 Kia Sorrento SUVs would act as general duties vehicles. The black, silver and white Holden Commodores are covered in police livery (with chequers more closely matching the force’s new darker blue uniforms) and fitted with sirens, flashing LED police lights and advanced communication.

Holden engineers worked with the South Australian police to ensure the vehicle met the safety and performance requirements of modern policing. All Commodore models come with safety technologies and a full five-star ANCAP safety rating as standard, while the police force will add its usual traffic analysis and computer systems.

Members of the South Australian police state traffic enforcement section ride marked and unmarked Honda and BMW motorcycles for traffic, escort, and other duties.

The force’s traffic support branch provides a central group of specialists, including major crash investigators, training personnel, traffic intelligence officers, highway patrol officers, and of other operational police personnel. Two motor mechanics are employed to help examine vehicles.