Skoda strikes fleet deal with Police Service of Northern Ireland

Skoda has supplied 50 Kodiaq SE models to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The vehicles will perform a number of roles, including forming part of its interceptor fleet – a division in place to detect and thwart those who use the country’s road network to commit crime.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will also be making use of the car’s 4x4 capabilities, utilising the Kodiaq to successfully navigate and operate in the most remote areas of the country.

The cars come packed with a range of performance and safety features including Font Assist, rear parking sensors and cruise control – and are powered by a 2.0-litre TDI diesel 150 PS engine.

Marcus Belshaw, head of transport services at the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “The introduction of the new Skoda Kodiaq models will bolster our policing presence and visibility across the country.

“Our officers work tirelessly to protect the public across all areas of our community and the addition of these vehicles means that they can continue to do this effectively and safely.”  

The cars have been supplied in black and customised with a full police livery, and in addition to the 50 Kodiaqs, PSNI has further bolstered its fleet with the arrival of five Skoda Superb models.

This latest blue light fleet deal comes after Skoda secured an order from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for 30 new Skoda Kodiaqs to its fleet to be used by senior officers to respond to emergency incidents quickly.

The new vehicles feature bespoke conversions complete with a blue-light communication system and IT platform integrated within existing infotainment touch screen.

Bespoke conversions for emergency service fleets can be provided through Skoda’s ‘one-stop’ shop package, which includes breakdown recovery, service, maintenance and repair requirements built into one package.

Skoda announced recently that the Kodiaq, along with Superb and Karoq, are getting new infotainment systems as part of their model year updates. 

The upgrades are based on Volkswagen Group’s third-generation modular infotainment matrix and offer the Laura digital voice assistant, as well as internet radio and wireless SmartLink technology.

Latest USB-C sockets are replacing the familiar USB-A ports, and a USB-C above the rear-view mirror is now optional.