Melbourne’s Exotic Graphix handled the design process from start to finish on the new Tesla Model X that joins the Victoria Police Highway Patrol Command as part of a feasibility study into electric cars.
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| Inspector Stuart Bailey of Victoria Police with the new Tesla Model X highway patrol car |
Nick Caminiti, managing director of Exotic Graphix and a two-time global Wrap like a King winner, told Wide Format Online the job went without a hitch.
“It was a little nerve racking as it was a complete template style job which is always tricky and gives you that slight bit of doubt if you have scanned in the car correctly. but it was spot on the first time round. Templating always throws its challenges but we are getting used to what to look out for. We’re extremely happy that the car gives a futuristic feel which is what we really wanted to capture."
Caminiti says the client is also happy. “I believe so, we have had amazing feedback from multiple parties. When the vehicle got delivered back the initial reaction was amazing. I'd like to thank all of our team as we wouldn't get opportunities like this if we didn't have the attention to detail that they all bring together."
"The wrap is a digitally printed 3M 680 reflective with fluro overlays. It included doorjams and additional details and was a fully templated seamless design.
“We heavily used our new Zünd G3 2500 cutter to help with registration and line up for installation. The brief was Future of the Police and we handled the design process from start to finish, working with the Victoria Police head office.”
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| Images from Facebook video: |
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| The first all-electric vehicle to be used for highway patrol in Australia |
“Our Highway Patrol cars are equipped with cutting edge technology and this car gives us the opportunity to investigate having these technologies in a fully integrated in-car system which has the potential of streamlining the road policing effort,” said Stephen Leane, Victoria Police’s Road Policing Command assistant commissioner.
“There is also a great environmental benefit to electric vehicles and considering our State Highway Patrol vehicles travel thousands of kilometres on the road per year, we should always be looking at ways we can lessen our impact on the environment.”
The car is a Tesla Model X Long Range, with a range of 575km before recharging and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds, according to CarAdvice. Pricing starts at $131,900 before on-road costs.
The fully-operational vehicle will be trialled in areas across Victoria, including the Bass Coast, Latrobe Valley and Dandenong.
In a video posted by the Victoria Police Twitter account, state Highway Patrol Inspector Stuart Bailey said the Tesla would provide officers with a significant upgrade in technology.
"This vehicle is unlike any other Victoria Police has ever had in its fleet and could well be the future of road policing in this state, country and the world,” said Lean.
Caminiti says he missed out on a Tesla test drive but Exotic Graphix accounts person Mandy took a spin. “Victoria Police couldn't get the vehicle trucked to us so Mandy had the pleasure of picking the vehicle up. She spoke about this experience for the next couple of weeks and I think a Tesla is on her wish list for her next car.”
