SSANGYONG has become the latest vehicle manufacturer to trial a car with Britain's police forces. Previously the domain of the 'big three' more and more police fleets are looking for alternatives and in the past few months manufacturers such as Honda, Fiat, SEAT, Saab and Daihatsu were among manufacturers who entered the police fleet market.

Hampshire Police is part-way through a six-month evaluation of a Musso GX220 which is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 3.2 litre 24v straight six petrol engine. The vehicle has a top-speed of 118 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 9.5 seconds. On test with the constabulary's traffic department duties vary from motorway patrol work to all-terrain trouble-shooting.

Hampshire Police fleet manager John Bradley said: 'In my 30 years with this force this is the first time we have had such an innovative vehicle with radical styling and which has attracted such positive views from the officers who drive it. With only a few minor upgrades for police duties it would be a really strong alternative to the established vehicles.'