BMW ePatrol: 2025 vision for a Californian pursuit vehicle

BMW's design subsidiary has created its vision of a 2025 LA highway patrol car that will be showcased at the upcoming 2012 LA motor show.

The company says the criteria for a future police car included future needs for advanced technology, the speed and agility needed for future freeway systems and the need to meet California's strict emissions regulations. It also had to be aware that by 2025 there will be more traffic, faster vehicles and a requirement for alternative drivetrains to those powered by petrol.

The BMW ePatrol features a main modular structure with three deployable drones that can be used to pursue law-breaking vehicles in congested cities.

The top drone has the ability to fly and survey suspects from the sky, while two single-wheel drones can be deployed on the ground. Each drone has the ability to 'fire' an impulse to disable cars they are chasing.

The BMW ePatrol is window-less to afford better protection for officers, with a large interactive screen displaying critical information both externally - presumably for the aid of police helicopters - and internally, with the latter providing information such as drone locations.

When the two front single-wheel drones - which feature bulletproof covers and energy recovery systems - are deployed, the main patrol vehicle uses a levitation turbine to float.

Details for the ePatrol's drivetrain are thin on the ground, but BMW Designworks USA says the body panels feature a 'skin energy recovery system' that can absorb the energy from highway concrete heat to supply the engines.

The 2012 LA motor show runs from November 30 to December 9. CarAdvice will be in Los Angeles to report from the show.