We all know the Italian police are the coolest uniforms going, so it's entirely fitting that the Caribinieri now has a pair of Lotus Evoras to sit in, lean on, generally look stylish next to and, oh yeah, chase criminals in.

The two Evora S models will spend most of their working lives as rapid response vehicles, delivering organs and vital medical supplies. For this, Lotus has built in a special refrigeration compartment behind the front seats.

Other equipment you won't find on the normal Evora options list includes flashing blue lights and sirens, a one-off Caribinieri paint job and two armed policemen.

The Evoras will see a two-year tour of duty with the Caribinieri. Lotus boss Dany Bahar said: "We are extremely proud to be working with such an iconic and professional organisation as the Carabinieri who play an integral role in Italian society."

Colonel Marco Minicucci of the Caribinieri said: "Our special Lotus Evoras combine the very best of our technology with excellent British engineering from Lotus. Not just anyone can drive these cars, we carefully selected some of our team to attend a driver training session at the new test track at Lotus' headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk where they learnt all about the very special characteristics and incredible potential of the cars."

Lotus supplied an Evora to West Midlands police in the UK at the beginning of 2011, making it the fastest ever police car in the country. However, the car was only in use for two weeks, unlike the Lamborghini Gallardos used by Italy's State Police that still see regular action.

Alisdair Suttie - 22 Jul 2011