The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in the UK has launched an official investigation to find out how one of its officers wrecked a brand new Golf R hatchback, which was on loan by Volkswagen for testing purposes, during a trial run on public roads at 2am in the morning.
In European trim, the £31,000+ Golf R gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270-horses and is capable of reaching a top speed of 155mph (250km/h) while completing the 0-62mph sprint in 5.7 seconds.
According to the preliminary police report, the officer was out testing the Golf R along with a fellow officer in an unmarked Audi, when he lost control of the Volkswagen at a roundabout in Wharfside Way, Trafford Park. The crash was so severe that the 40-year old police officer had be cut from the wreck by firefighters.
The man suffered some back injuries and was hospitalized but has now been released.
A senior officer from GMP said:
“The car was being tested and it went horribly wrong. Police do use public roads to test vehicles – the risk is reduced by the location and the time when this is done. Another officer in a powerful Audi had gone out on patrol with him at the same time – but was patrolling elsewhere when the accident happened.
“The Audi driver went to the scene immediately after the crash to help. The VW was on loan as the company are trying to sell them to the force.”
“It would appear there were icy conditions on the night it happened. It was being tested in the early hours and the car had been with the force for a couple of days. The idea was to get a few officers to get a feel for it – get a reasonable sample before deciding whether to buy them.”
GMP said that the officer has been temporarily suspended from driving duties while it investigates the case adding that due to the incident, it will be reviewing its policy on officers test driving demonstration cars on public road.
Thanks to Robert J. for the tip!
Story References: MenMedia
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