Australia's fastest police car revealed | Mercedes GLE63 AMG Coupe

Victoria Police have taken delivery of the fastest and most expensive police car to earn its stripes. And it's not just for show.

Police in Victoria have taken delivery of the fastest, most powerful and most expensive highway patrol car to ever be put into service.

Powered by a massive twin-turbocharged V8, the $200,000 Mercedes GLE63 AMG SUV coupe can reach the speed limit in just 4.2 seconds -- quicker than any Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon pursuit sedan.

The iconic Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon pursuit cars that have served them and the community for decades

Unlike other expensive and exotic police cars occasionally used by police for public awareness campaigns -- including a Porsche 911 once used by NSW Police -- the imposing Mercedes will be a fully functional highway patrol vehicle used for everyday police work.

But it won't cost the taxpayer one cent because it is on loan from Mercedes-Benz as part of a 12-month trial.

Police across Australia are struggling to find suitable vehicles to replace the iconic Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon pursuit cars that have served them and the community for decades.

It is unlikely the mega-Mercedes -- dubbed the "Guardian" by Victoria Police -- will ever make it onto the regular police fleet roster due to its cost, but it will serve as a benchmark for other candidates.

While the humble Toyota Camry sedan is likely to replace general duties police vehicles across Australia, finding a new generation highway patrol car is a greater challenge because the Commodore and Falcon pursuit specials offer the most performance for the least amount of money.

The Holden and Ford pursuit sedans typically cost less than $45,000 each -- once government discounts are taken into account -- and yet offer blistering performance to nab traffic offenders and high-speed crooks.

Police in other states are considering vehicles such as the Chrysler 300C SRT, Subaru WRX, Ford Mustang and even a Volvo for highway patrol work.

But none have yet passed a complete in-field trial period to see how they handle the daily grind on the frontline.

Last month a new Ford Mustang was sprung wearing NSW Police livery, although it is yet to be formally announced.

For the record, the new Mercedes-Benz police car does have leather seats and shiny wheels

Meanwhile, while Queensland police unveiled a small fleet of Volvos as part of a trial.

Victoria Police say the Mercedes will also be used to "promote in-car safety features".

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said it was important for people to consider buying the safest car they could afford when the time came to purchase a new vehicle.

"Death and serious injuries on Victorian roads could be reduced by a third overnight if everyone was driving the safest cars they can afford," he said.

"We're not saying that everyone needs to rush out and buy the latest and greatest but we need people to prioritise safety over leather seats and shiny wheels."

For the record, the new Mercedes-Benz police car does have leather seats and shiny wheels.

Fast facts: how fast are you going now?
Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG coupe
Price: $198,900
Engine: Twin turbo 5.5-litre V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, all-wheel-drive
0 to 100km/h: 4.2 seconds