NationStates Jolt Archive


Monteluci Duca Pantera: Law enforcement at its best

Van Luxemburg
23-04-2009, 19:50
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Monteluci Duca Pantera: Law enforcement at its best

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/Monteluci32008.png
-Placeholder for a drawing of an actual Autobahnpolizei Duca Pantera-


In early 2009, the Autobahnpolizei in Arvaglio faced a tough problem: The Duca V8 SFS’es of the previous model that were in use until then almost reached a mileage of 200,000 kilometres, and the officers that operated them generally preferred the Autobahnpolizei to buy new Duca’s. However, the demands of the officers did not quite meet the equipment delivered on a standard Duca SFS, and the custom modification of the vehicles would be very expensive. Therefore, the local Polizia Autostradale authority in Arvaglio approached the Monteluci factories and asked if they were able to create a special Duca for their police forces. Monteluci was only too happy to oblige, and the result was the Duca Pantera.

Monteluci has a longstanding relation with the Arvaglian Polizia Autostradale. The first Monteluci’s were delivered to the Autobahnpolizei around 80 years ago, and the brand has never been absent in the equipment lists of the motorway police units since then. In recent years, the high performance Duca V8 SFS was used as the regular patrol vehicle of the Autobahnpolizei, and other Duca models enjoyed considerable popularity amongst other police units.

Firstly, the development team, consisting of several representatives of Monteluci, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Autobahnpolizei, asked police officers all across the nation about their opinion on their current police vehicle. With the results of the questionnaire, the development team went to work, to develop the Duca Pantera. This vehicle was made specifically with the Van Luxemburger law enforcement market in mind. It has been designed with the Sportwagon version of the Duca in mind.

First, Monteluci made several performance upgrades, firstly by installing the mass-produced ceramic brakes of the Ducareale on the Duca. Ceramic brakes have a very high heat resistance, a low weight and low maintenance requirements, meaning it is a relatively cost-efficient solution over the brakes mounted on the standard Duca, and enhances safety on longer emergency runs.

Furthermore, the engineers modified the suspension, springs and shocks to maintain a certain level of toughness, but also be resistant to bad roads and the heavy beatings of everyday police use. The suspension can be temporarily raised by 5 cm’s, in order to reach locations that are off-road, and the Pantera has also been modified with 4D 4-wheel drive, that will increase safety and off-road capabilities. Also, to enhance drivability, a 6-speed semi-automatic gearbox has been installed, so the driver can switch between manual gearshifts and fully automatic mode.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/PoliziottoHUDIR.png
Fig. 1: The night vision system in the Duca Pantera while on a night time emergency run towards a bank robbery.

In terms of electronics, Monteluci has contracts with Walter Technologie to supply night vision technology for the Head-Up Display, which can also display speed, rev counter, navigation instructions and an overview of the vehicle’s current assignment. Next to this, the vehicle GPS is able to continually transmit it’s location to the dispatcher’s office, and can give off an emergency alarm in case the vehicle is under attack or in trouble. Furthermore, the navigation system has been connected to the dispatcher’s office, so that every assignment is automatically loaded into the system to navigate towards the intervention. The car also has two video cameras on-board (one placed front-facing on the dashboard, one placed rear-facing behind the boot lid window. These cameras are linked to a 1TB hard drive to record actual footage, but also to the dispatcher’s office in order to let the dispatcher assess the current situation.

For traffic enforcement, these cameras are also equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) hardware, that can recognise license plates and relay them to a laptop that is to be operated by the passenger, but also with speed measuring equipment that can measure the speed and distance travelled between two points. The laptop is also linked up to the internet, and also the police database, while it can also track stolen vehicles with GPS trackers. If necessary, the GPS tracker data can also be entered in the navigation system, so that the driver can follow the stolen car with directions coming from his navigation system.

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Fig. 2: The Pabst LB-25LED as mounted on the Monteluci Duca Pantera.

The Pantera has an impressive array of ‘Blues and Twos’ for emergency runs, starting with a low-profile LED lightbar by Pabst Fire Technologies, which can emit both blue and orange lights, but also has a built-in searchlight and a LED Matrix which can show the words ‘STOP – POLICE’, or other instructions, if necessary (this can include ‘POLICE – FOLLOW’, ‘ACCIDENT’ ‘<<<<<’, ‘>>>>>’, ‘STAU – TRAFFIC’, ‘KEEP DISTANCE’, ‘KEEP RIGHT’ or a customisable message.) No less than 13 LED flashers have been mounted on various position outside the vehicle, including two in the grill, two next to the foglights, two in the wing mirrors (facing front), one on the dashboard, two in the upper windshield area, two at the back of the vehicle (boot lid window) and two in the boot lid bottom. The front lights also feature a wig-wag function. Furthermore, a siren has been installed behind the grille, with four smaller loudspeakers being mounted under the lightbar (two facing front, two facing rear). They can output a maximum of 130 Db of sound. Sirens available are the wail/yelp (US), hi/lo (US), two-tone (EU), three-tone (EU), Martinshorn (D) and multiple others. In Van Luxemburger practice, the EU Two-tone/Martinshorn is used. All buttons necessary for the Pantera version have been integrated in the Duca’s dashboard in the same style as the original buttons.

In terms of communication, the Pantera has two handheld transceivers aboard that can be used by its occupants. They are linked to the car’s radio, which has a VHF antenna mounted. All radio traffic is encrypted in 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard. Every car has a ‘panic’ button, which the occupant can push to receive assistance from units in their vicinity. For practical requirements, the seats of the vehicle have been modified slightly in order to allow the average police officer to wear his belt (including holster, handcuffs, transceiver, etc.) A section of the boot has been reserved for a firearm vault, which can hold submachine guns or weapons of similar size. A suspect transport enclosure, made out of Acrylic glass (PMMA), will protect the officers against aggressive suspects, and will prevent suspects from spitting at the officers. The same has been done behind the rear seat, to prevent the suspect from reaching the luggage space. In that luggage space, the Pantera has space to store the standard police equipment (e.g. a first aid kit, a broom, a shovel, traffic cones, blankets, radar (radar gun/speed gun), and a breath examination system), as well as an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). A tire deflation device (Stinger) is also part of the standard equipment.

To provide extra safety to the police officers during high-risk patrols, the vehicle has been slightly uparmoured, mainly the glass and front doors. The windows have been made out of two layers of aluminium oxynitride, with a 5mm thick epoxy layer to prevent the window from shattering. This will protect the occupants against 9x19mm gunfire and will severely slow down 7.62x39mm gunfire. In the doors, Two armoured plates have been installed. The Front plate is made out of 2.5mm WTVA (Wolfram-Titanium Vehicle Alloy) 23. The gap between the two plates is 5mm. Then, the Back-plate is made out of hardened, rubber-encased, perforated ceramic plate (8mm thickness) with an epoxy-coated kevlar spall backing (2mm). In total, the armour is 17.5mm thick and should theoretically protect against 7.62x39mm gunfire from a distance of 100 metres. The weight of this armouring is around 100 kilograms per door. Furthermore, the radiator has been reinforced to be protected against gunfire, a self-sealing fuel tank has been installed and the vehicles stand on runflat tyres.

To make sure the vehicle can maintain it’s speed with the added weight of all new police equipment, Monteluci’s SFS department was put to work on the Duca’s engines, and has modified these engines with new performance air filters, a new performance exhaust, an ECU remap and tweaks to the turbochargers (if applicable). The SFS team has measured power increases of around 15-40 horsepower all across the line, meaning the vehicles can keep their previous performance. For engine specifications, please refer to the Monteluci Duca sales brochure (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13603318#post13603318).

Next to the engine modifications, several other changes have been made under the hood: The Duca is equipped with a more powerful alternator and a second battery, that will provide electricity to all auxiliary extras, the radiator and gearbox cooling have been increased in capacity, and the vehicle can run stationary without the key in the ignition (runlock module), so the vehicle can charge it’s batteries while on scene. Inside the vehicle, most of the options have been retained, save for the panorama roof and rear sunblinds. The leather upholstery has been kept, because of the fact that leather is often easier to clean and maintain than regular cloth upholstery.

Despite the fact that the Pantera has many new technologies implemented, the extra price for such a police version is just $7500 over the standard price of a vehicle (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13603318#post13603318): this is mainly due to the industrial scale the vehicle is produced on, but also the fact that Monteluci has cut their profits on this vehicle to nearly zero, to provide a better deal for the beloved Autobahnpolizei. The first Panteras will be delivered in May 2009.

The Duca Pantera is available for (limited) foreign export. Monteluci, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Van Luxemburger Intelligence and Security Service (IVD), will decide on the sale of these highly sophisticated law enforcement vehicles on a case-by-case basis. Nations who are known to the IVD as having an unfavourable government, a negative civil rights record or other conditions that could affect sales of law enforcement equipment, will be refused the sale of these vehicles.

MONTELUCI DUCA Pantera - Prices

Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.8 Biturbo $39,490
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.0 Turbo $47,300
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 $47,210
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 Biturbo $54,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera V8 SFS $97,500

Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.2 BMD EcoDrive $38,300
Monteluci Duca Pantera 1.8 BMD 180 $40,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.0 BMD 210 $44,000
Monteluci Duca Pantera 2.4 5C BMD 260 $48,600
Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 BMD 310 $53,450

FOR SPECIFICATIONS, PLEASE REFER TO THE MONTELUCI DUCA SALES BROCHURE (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13603318#post13603318)


(OOC: Last, but certainly not least, a big 'thank you' to Zinaire, who came up with the idea of making a specific Police version of his own cars, Russkya, for making the armour scheme for this car, and Mattia Mariani, for drawing the Duca itself and, in advance, the Pantera.)
Askholme
23-04-2009, 20:41
We would be very interested in trading with your nation and marketing the Monteluci brand in Askholme, and its sister brand VLT. The Monteluci Duca Pantera looks promising, and we would like to request 2 examples for testing purposes. Our police forces could benefit from this automobile.

If you click here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=591094) and find the section entitled "Motor Industry" it will tell you what your nation/nation's manufacturers need to do in order to be able to trade automobiles within our nation. (OOC: Please start a new thread if you wish to export to our nation, thanks!)
Askholme
23-04-2009, 22:14
Brings thread back up to top.
Van Luxemburg
24-04-2009, 18:50
TO: The United Kingdom of Askholme

Dear Sir/Madam,

We thank you for your letter. However, we are afraid we cannot complete your order. Could you please specify the engine required for the Panteras destined for Askholme?

Due to large orders from domestic security services, we are suffering from some production issues. Since we only have one production line adapted for the production of these cars (being Monteluci-SEFAR on the Corso Ferrari in Omignano), your order is estimated to be delivered in September 2009.

Your order and maintenance will be handled through the regional Monteluci importer in Astholm. We wish you the best of luck with these law enforcement machines!

Signed,
Alfredo Monteluci
Managing Director,
Automobili Monteluci S.p.A.
Venezia
The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg


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Askholme
24-04-2009, 19:50
To: Alfredo Monteluci

Dear Mr. Monteluci
we would like the 3.2 V6 Biturbo and V8 SFS.

However, we are not Astholm - our nation's name sounds similar - and your manufacturer does not currently trade in our nation according to our website and trade listings.

VLT in Astholm haven't discussed this with us.

We only request 2 models for testing purposes.
The Wolf Hold
24-04-2009, 20:26
M.A.C Heavy Industries | Defense

We have decided it is time to completly overhall our security force at all of your factories, offices and other facilites. This includes purchasing new and up to date police cruisers to replace our aging Dodge Chargers, Volvo V70s and Crow Victorias

To this end we wish to purchase:

Police Monteluci Duca Pantera V8 SFS: $ 52,500,000
Police Monteluci Duca Pantera 3.2 V6 BMD 310: $ 30,475,000

Thank you,

M.A.C Heavy Industries Defense Management.
Askholme
24-04-2009, 21:23
Here in Askholme we would like to offer your nation the Tanber Celmrac FZM as a police car. The police edition that we produce is for daily use, rather than pursuits and is available in the following versions:

2.4 Azura 4-door - $44,483


Tanber Motors are distributed via AVS Automotive, based in Tahuruberg, Askholme and are one of our nation's biggest exporters of automobiles.
Van Luxemburg
24-04-2009, 22:13
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TO: The United Kingdom of Askholme

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your order has been confirmed. Two Panteras, one with a V6 Biturbo engine and one with a V8 SFS engine, will be delivered to you within 6 months. Seeing this sale is for testing purposes only, we are of course very interested in the outcome of these trials.

As stated before, VLT/Monteluci Astholm will be your contact for maintenance and guarantee-related issues. We feel that a bordering country, connected to you by means of a Head of State, is close enough for maintenance issues seeing there currently isn't any Monteluci establishment in Askholme. We once again request you to turn to Monteluci in Astholm in case of issues.

Regarding your offer in terms of police vehicles, we have no control over decisions made by our law enforcement agencies. Your proposal has been sent to the respective agencies. They shall contact you soon.

Signed,
Alfredo Monteluci
Managing Director,
Automobili Monteluci S.p.A.
Venezia
The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/invoicebottom.png
Van Luxemburg
24-04-2009, 22:20
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/invoicetop.png

TO: M.A.C Heavy Industries Defense Management

Dear Sir/Madam,

Your order has been confirmed. Two types of Panteras, one with a V6 BMD Diesel engine and one with a V8 SFS engine, will be delivered to you within 18 months. If there are any complaints regarding the vehicles during daily use, we will be glad to solve them as quickly as possible, and rework these complaints into improved versions of the Pantera.

Signed,
Alfredo Monteluci
Managing Director,
Automobili Monteluci S.p.A.
Venezia
The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/invoicebottom.png
Van Luxemburg
24-04-2009, 22:39
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/Polizeilogo.png
Agency for Civilian Law Enforcement, Autobahnpolizei & Kommunalpolizei

TO: The United Kingdom of Askholme

Dear Sir/Madam,

We thank you for your letter.

Let me first start by saying that we in the Autobahnpolizei (and, to a lesser extent, the Kommunalpolizei) pride ourselves on having driven the most impressive sportscars ever, since the 1930s, and both agencies have a longstanding relationship with Monteluci, VLT, and other Van Luxemburger manufacturers. Next to this, we have high demands of our patrol cars in terms of performance, comfort, safety and reliability. This means that only a limited amount of cars lives up to our high expectations. Only several foreign manufacturers have made it through our tests, most European, some Japanese.

Seeing that Van Luxemburger law forces us to look into every offer in an objective manner, your proposal is under consideration to be allowed into a test programme with the Autobahnpolizei. If the car fails the Autobahnpolizei demands, it will be tested by the Kommunalpolizei. Obviously, if the car passes the Autobahnpolizei tests, it will be put on the list of available vehicles for both agencies. In case it fails the Autobahnpolizei tests, but passes the other test, it is allowed into the Kommunalpolizei. If it passes neither of these tests, it will be refused by our law enforcement agencies.

However, if we want to enter these vehicles into the competition, we require performance figures, including fuel, horsepower, torque, acceleration, top speed, weight and fuel consumption, all in Metric figures. Next to this, we wish to attend you on the fact that our law enforcement agencies mostly use stationwagon versions of vehicles, because of the larger boot space required to store equipment. Only offering 4-door vehicles would be a huge disadvantage for most tests.

We hope to receive these figures, and wish you the best of luck!

Signed,
Arno Vogels,
Chief Constable and Commander-in-Chief
Autobahnpolizei
Agency for Civilian Law Enforcement
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Askholme
25-04-2009, 00:21
To: Alfredo Monteluci

VLT Astholm has not been sanctioned to deal with this; according to them your nation is not part of AUTOMOTOR so you will not get extra trade benefits that being part of AUTOMOTOR involves. As far as we are aware VLT Astholm is part of your company, and not the name being used under license. We will fast-track your membership straight away.
Van Luxemburg
25-04-2009, 13:37
TO: The United Kingdom of Askholme

Dear Sir/Madam,

As far as we are aware, VLT Astholm is not a part of Automobili Monteluci S.p.A. We are, however, part of the same holding company: VLT Automotive Group N.V. seated in Esch-sur-Alzette, Van Luxemburg. The companies are however not related in any way, and the official Monteluci importer for the Astholm region is Monteluci Astholm, holding office in the same buidling as VLT Astholm. Monteluci in Astholm will be responsible for any dealings with your test vehicles in the future, as stated before.

According to our documentation, we have nothing to do with ASTMOTOR and will have nothing to do with this organisation. VLT/Monteluci is part of the IAMA manufacturers' alliance, co-founded with several other Van Luxemburger and foreign manufacturers. We have no desire to leave this alliance in favour of a foreign organisation.

Signed,
Alfredo Monteluci
Managing Director,
Automobili Monteluci S.p.A.
Venezia
The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg


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Askholme
25-04-2009, 13:52
To: Alfredo Monteluci

We are aware of VLT Astholm being the official distributor, and we will negotiate imports of VLT automobiles into our nation in due course.

However, AUTOMOTOR membership does not require you to leave other alliances that you may have; it gives you more trading power within the region.
Sorsk
25-04-2009, 15:08
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The Socialist Republic of Sorsk
The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

1 Lussdren Square,
Sorsk,
Sorsk Governorate,
Sorsk,
TS2 020.

Dear Mister Alfredo Monteluci,

Our country wishes to state its upmost interest in establishing a regular shipment of the Monteluci Duca Pantera to be used by the Department of Law & Order. The Socialist Republic would believe that the aforementioned vehicle would severely assist policing operations across Sorsk, and assist in completely stamping out crime in Sorsk.

We would like to enquire about the possibility of recieving a shipment of one hundred Monteluci Duca Panteras per month, starting as soon as possible. We will pay as much currency required in order to establish these shipments and maintain them, and we hope that the Socialist Republic will have many deals with Automobili Monteluci S.p.A. in the near future.

Signed,
Alejandro Yuriyovich Kalanov.
Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade of the Socialist Republic of Sorsk.