Mercedes Suits Up For Police Duty, X-Class Truck Now In The Fleet

German law enforcement officers will have a new way to catch criminals off the beaten path with the launch of a X-Class truck for cops at the General Police Equipment Exhibition & Conference 2018 in Frankfurt. In addition to the truck, the company will show several more new additions to its range of Polizei-ready models, including some more efficient options.

Mercedes doesn't offer many details about the changes for its police vehicles. If the tweaks are anything like law enforcement models in the United States, the upgrades likely include radio systems, on-board computers for officers, and expanded storage to carry a cop's vast array of equipment.

For the police-spec X-Class, the model is the all-wheel-drive variant for better performance off-road. The Polizei livery looks cool on the truck, though.

Mercedes will also show police-ready versions of some if its vans at the show, too. For example, it'll have a Sprinter with customization to be a team vehicle. In addition, the Vito Tourer will be ready for radio patrol car duty, and there will be a version of the standard Vito for customs work.

An updated version of the E-Class Estate will also be at the show. It now packs Mercedes' OM 654 four-cylinder diesel engine for greater efficiency. The wagon also has safety tech like active brake assist, collision warning, and pedestrian detection at the front and rear.

The company will also make a big push at offering police force's better efficiency by opting for electric assistance. A GLC 350e 4Matic for cops will be among the new options. In town it saves money by running purely on electric power, and there's a longer range for covering distance on the Autobahn. Mercedes also has fully electric models of the Smart Fortwo and Forfour for use in towns as special response vehicles. Mercedes promises to expand its electrified police vehicles soon to include models like the Vito and Sprinter.