Vauxhall Astra: car review | Martin Love

Most police cars are Vauxhall Astras. Why not buy your own - and pretend you're in an unmarked squad car

Price: 16,615
Top speed: 121mph
0-62mph: 10.5 seconds
MPG: 65.7
CO2: 99g/km

Police forces around the world love flexing their muscles with a wildly inappropriate squad car. Famously, the Italian carabinieri once splashed out on a Lamborghini Gallardo (0-60mph 3.7 seconds; top speed 203mph). The German bundespolizei weren't to be outdone, however, and soon bought a hyper-charged Brabus Rocket (3.2 seconds; 225mph). Both of these were then left for dust when Dubai's police dept joined the race and put their officers into a Bugatti Veyron (2.5 seconds; 268mph). And if getaway drivers thought they'd have an easier time in Britain, they should note that Avon & Somerset owns an Ariel Atom (2.5 seconds; 168mph). Clearly these pursuit vehicles are the exception. Of the 19,964-strong fleet currently owned by the UK's 43 constabularies, the bulk are Vauxhall Astras or Ford Focuses.