Italian police on Friday received a brand new Lamborghini Gallardo to replace the one they have been using since 2004 to chase down speeders on the nation's highways.
The new Gallardo P560-4, which made its debut at this year's Geneva Auto show, boasts a 5-2 liter V10 engine which can generate 560 horsepower which allows the car to go from 0 to 100kph in 3.5 seconds.
The 4 at the end of its model number refers to the car's permanent four-wheel-drive system.
The new Lamborghini will be entrusted to the highway patrol in the central region of Lazio but will be used throughout the country, especially along the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway.
This latest version of the Gallardo includes a special refrigerator in its front trunk for the transportation of body organs destined for transplants.
Its other health features include a built-in defibrillator.
Some 30 police officers, including three women, will take turns at the supercar's wheel and have been especially trained by Lamborghini at a racetrack to drive the car.
Like its predecessor, the new car will also take part in police public relations events.
The first Italian police Lamborghini took part in the 2004 Columbus Day Parade down Fifth Avenue in New York.
The Gallardo is named after a famous breed of fighting bull but it also translates as 'gallant' in Spanish and 'striking' in Italian.
The car has a starting list price of over 176,000 euros.
Although originally Italian, Lamborghini continues to be made in Italy but it is owned by the German carmaker Audi.
The P560-4's engine is based on the new Audi RS6 V10.
