LEICESTERSHIRE Constabulary has purchased four Mitsubishi Shoguns for its motorway patrol unit, with the force opting for automatic transmission for the first time on motorway 4x4s.

The force has chosen Mitsubishi's optional manual-shift/automatic transmission. Three of the vehicles will be kitted out with police livery and modified for use with lighting and emergency equipment. The force's fleet manager, Peter Ward, who is also chairman of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers, said: 'Our choice of police vehicle is very important.

'It has to comply with strict criteria, which includes performance, handling, economy, reliability, comfort and cost. The diesel engine will provide low running costs, plus it delivers the mid-range torque and power that is required.'

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