Seat has won the fleet contract to supply new Leon cars to the Italian police forces, Polizia di Stato and the Carabinieri.

The first 206 vehicles have already been handed over, with an initial 106 service vehicles delivered to the Carabinieri and a further 100 to the Polizia di Stato.

Overall, the contract includes the option for up to 4,000 vehicles over the next three years. So far, they have taken orders for 925 cars, split between 475 'panthers' (Polizia di Stato) and 450 'gazelles' (Carabinieri).

This marks the first time that both police forces have tendered and selected the same brand and the same vehicle.

The total level of fleet business conducted by the Spanish brand internationally in 2014 grew by 33% to 68,900 vehicles, making a significant contribution to the brand’s 10% sales growth last year.

The basis for the new Italian police cars is provided by the five-door Leon powered by the 150hp version of the 2.0 TDI engine.

The front end of the Leon will be armoured against small arms fire, while special safety tyres are a further element of the equipment package. The service vehicle is rounded off by warning and alarm lights, radio and communications equipment, weapons carriers and other items of equipment. The back seat is also laid out as a secure 'prisoner cell', with police officers seated in the front protected by a dividing partition.