Vauxhall’s Grandland X SUV is regarded as the dependable and versatile choice of vehicle for the Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service, which has ordered a fleet of eight examples. They will be used by officers on call-outs to incidents within the local community, including both fire and emergency responses.
The Service opted for the Grandland X in Tech Line Nav trim, complete with the All Road Pack, which features PSA’s innovative IntelliGrip traction control system. Its electronics ensure optimum road grip in adverse driving situations by adapting the torque distribution to the front wheels, dependent on which of the five driving modes has been dialled-in. It is can provide stable handling on almost any surface, including snow, mud and sand.
Additional features of the Grandland X in its high-end trim include several safety and security systems, such as front parking distance sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane assist and blind spot alert. A Navi infotainment system with 8.0-inch colour touchscreen and voice control adds to the technological package. The community service also specified a heated windscreen and wireless charging. The cars are fitted with punchy 1.5-litre (127bhp) turbo-diesel engines.
Mark Salter, Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service’s Group Manager – Assets, stated: “We were looking for an appropriate response vehicle to meet the demands of the diverse nature of Cornwall’s rugged landscape. As a rural county, our officers are required to negotiate narrow B-roads, unmade tracks and agricultural terrain, as well as coping with dramatic seasonal changes throughout the year. Typically, Cornwall has a higher degree of rainfall than other parts of the country. As a result, we needed a vehicle that would provide sufficient ground clearance and traction to manoeuvre through and over these hazards safely and to arrive promptly at emergency incidents.”
Cornwall’s Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service works to ensure the health, and wellbeing of the local community. Its responsibilities include fire prevention and protection, road safety education and delivery, reducing crime and antisocial behaviour and co-responding to medical incidents.
Mike Roberts, Sales Manager for Vauxhall Special Vehicles, added: “We are thrilled that the Cornwall Community Safety Service has chosen the Grandland X to support its work across the county. We’re confident that our car’s traction system will prove indispensable across Cornwall’s rugged landscape. Whether on the beach, driving over wet and muddy terrain, or in snowy and icy conditions, the system will enhance driver safety and guarantee stability most of the time.”
Fitted as standard to the Grandland X is equipment such as LED daytime running lights, camera-based lane departure warning, road sign recognition, intelligent cruise control and dual-zone electronic climate control, with particulate and odour filters. At 4.48m in length, it is the longest SUV in Vauxhall’s current range, offering significantly more cabin space than the 20cm-shorter Mokka X, or Crossland X. It is a model finding favour with private, business and speciality services.
