Subaru Impreza GB270

This is no show car - the Subaru Impreza GB270 is one of Essex Police's newest additions - part of the "Interceptor" team.

This Subura Impreza GB270 produces 270bhp, sprints from 0-62mph in just five seconds and is so hot, the 21 officers of the specialist "Interceptor" unit were given a handling lesson by some of the best in the business: handling gods Prodrive.

Prodrive - who recently headed up a consortium to buy Aston Martin - showed the officers the full capabilities of the hardened four-wheel-drive rally monster.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

The long arm of the law just got longer – thanks to a 640bhp Lamborghini Murcielago.

In 2006 the Met teamed up with Lamborghini to roll out one of the hardest police cars to ever grace the outside lane of the M25.

This Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 packs a 6.5-litre V12 churning out 640 mad Italian horses.

And the Lambo’s 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds means even the most souped-up Vauxhall Corsa won’t stand a chance.

Lotus Exige

Sussex police force’s newest recruit isn’t the shy, retiring type – it’s a hardcore 140mph supercharged lightweight Lotus Exige racer, and it’s coming to a council estate near you.

This Lotus Exige packs a supercharged 240bhp petrol engine and accelerates from 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds.

Sergeant Masterton of Sussex police wants to use the lightweight Lotus at motor shows to get young drivers to approach him to talk on the dangers of reckless driving.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari marked its 60th anniversary last year with an arresting one-off – a police-liveried Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

In April 2007 Ferrari began a round-the-world trip to commemorate 60 years of supercar production, and this blue beast was the lead car.

The £200,000 Ferrari 612 police car features the GTS suspension package, personalised seat stitching and leather detailing as well as a one-off roof-mounted emergency lighting bar among its features.

Smart electric drive

It’s powered by a battery which you plug into a socket at home, it takes seven seconds to hit 30mph, and it measures just EIGHT feet in length – the Smart electric drive police car is hitting central London.

The two-seat Smart electric drive police car is part of a trial and London’s bobbies will be able to weave in and out of traffic fighting crime on the mean streets of London.

Criminals chasing down narrow alleyways or up congested side streets have had their day – plod is coming in a Smart.

We spent a day with the Traffic police - view our exclusive slide show

Check out the furiously fast Caparo T1: