In recent years, social media and automotive media have been buzzing about undercover police cars using Toyota’s luxury minivans, the Alphard and Vellfire. Traditionally, undercover police cars have been dominated by sedans like the Toyota Crown and Nissan Skyline, but are minivan-type undercover police cars actually a thing?
Luxury minivan turned into undercover police car?
In this article, we will explain in detail the reality of undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars, including sightings, their uses, and how to identify them.
The reality of undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars
Its existence has been confirmed, but its use is limited
In conclusion, undercover police cars based on the Alphard and Vellfire do exist . However, their use as general traffic enforcement vehicles is extremely limited, and they are primarily used for the following purposes:
Photoshoot of the day ①
The President of South Korea is visiting Japan, so we first went to the undercover security guards to check out the motorcade and the undercover security guards. 😅 We also
saw a rare red Alphard, an Esquire (two other cars besides the one in the photo), a Legacy on a fast run, and a red Swift. 😄
The Esquire and Legacy on a fast run are a mystery. 😅 pic.twitter.com/yynAegpjZ6— Miyatetsu (@pu2cAWV0oDuqoxA) March 17, 2023
1. VIP protection vehicles
- Protection of government officials and members of the Imperial family during their travels
- Black cars are often used
- Taking advantage of the spacious interior space, it can accommodate long-term transportation
2. Investigative vehicles
- Long-term stakeouts and tailing
- Investigative activities that require a large amount of equipment
- Utilizing an appearance that is easily confused with regular cars
3. Mobile Investigation Unit Vehicles
- Command vehicle for special incident response
- Taking advantage of the spacious interior of the car for strategy meetings
- Installation of communication and monitoring equipment
Not suitable for traffic enforcement
They are not suitable for speed enforcement on highways and main roads for the following reasons:
- Constraints on acceleration performance : Minivans are heavy and have poorer acceleration performance than sedans.
- Maneuverability issues : The car’s high height and high center of gravity make it unsuitable for sudden lane changes.
- Poor fuel economy : Disadvantages in terms of fuel economy when patrolling for long periods of time
Sightings and actual usage
Sighting reports on social media
The following sightings have been reported on X (formerly Twitter):
Voices of surprise
- “I never thought a Vellfire would be an undercover police car!”
- “I don’t notice this…”
- “There are more car models to be wary of.”
Actual encounter experience
- “I was caught by an undercover car in a Vellfire on the Shuto Expressway.”
- “There was a lot of pressure from behind, so I increased my speed and the red lights came on.”
I got to see a rare car , a Kyoto Prefectural Police
Alphard undercover police car
with a sunroof and a flashlight, red-lit! It was red-lit every day during the Gion Festival traffic restrictions. I’d like to take a photo with better lighting next year. pic.twitter.com/sBiPLlsFaq— 🚓Lake Biwa≠Pondᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ🚓 (@shiga_pc) July 25, 2022
Sightings around the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters
According to a witness, an unmarked Alphard/Vellfire patrol car has been spotted near the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. This vehicle has attracted attention as a luxury minivan, unlike anything a police vehicle would have, and has become a hot topic among many police vehicle enthusiasts.
Features of Alphard and Vellfire undercover police cars
Vehicle Features
Alphard undercover police car
- Body color : Mainly safe colors such as black, white, and silver
- Grade : Relatively high grade
- Appearance : Difficult to distinguish from regular vehicles
- Uses : Mainly VIP protection and long-distance transportation
Vellfire undercover police car
- Engine : 2.4L turbo engine also available
- Performance : Relatively high driving performance despite being a minivan
- Interior : Equipment is installed making the most of the spacious interior
- Appearance : Sporty appearance makes it easy to blend in with regular vehicles
Equipment features
・Tochigi Prefectural Police Mobile Police Unit’s T33 X-Trail
・Ibaraki Prefectural Police Highway Patrol Gunmetal
・Saitama Prefectural Police Highway Patrol S4 Blue
・Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (?) Undercover Alphard
I was able to photograph many of the vehicles I wanted to photograph,
making 2024 a very fulfilling year.
──────────────────
・He spoke at the event… pic.twitter.com/B72nwM004q— 개 키치 Harukichi💙🍶 (@FH434696881) December 31, 2024
The undercover police car version includes the following additional features:
- Communications equipment : radios, emergency call systems
- Surveillance equipment : dashcams, surveillance cameras
- Emergency equipment : red light, siren (retractable)
- Bulletproof equipment : Bulletproof glass for VIP transport (some vehicles)
Comparison with conventional undercover police car models
Differences from sedan-type undercover police cars
| item | Sedan type (Crown, etc.) | Minivans (Alphard and Vellfire) |
|---|---|---|
| Main uses | Traffic Enforcement | VIP protection and investigative activities |
| Acceleration performance | Excellent | Inferior |
| Interior space | narrow | wide |
| Equipment loading capacity | limited | Abundant |
| Easily blends in with regular cars | expensive | Very high |
| Operational costs | cheap | expensive |
List of main car models used as undercover police cars
Sedan type
- Toyota Crown : The most commonly used undercover police car
- Toyota Mark X : Undercover police car with a focus on sporty performance
- Nissan Skyline : Used for highway enforcement
- Subaru Legacy B4 : Undercover police car for snowy roads
- Suzuki Kizashi : A rare Japanese sedan used as an undercover police car
Minivan type
- Toyota Alphard : Mainly used for security and VIP transport
- Toyota Vellfire : Sightings of the car being used for investigations and security
- Honda Odyssey : Available in some regions
- Nissan Elgrand : Sometimes used for security purposes
SUV type
- Subaru Legacy Outback : Snow-ready
- Nissan X-Trail : Suitable for rough roads
- Mitsubishi Pajero : Used by local police
How to spot an undercover police car
Basic points to distinguish
1. Check the car model
- Common undercover police car models such as Crown, Mark X, and Skyline
- Recently, Alphard and Vellfire are also worth watching out for.
- Be careful if the vehicle is in unusually clean condition
2. Check your equipment
- Rearview mirror : Often has two levels
- Rear window : Dark smoked film is attached
- Antennas : Multiple special antennas for communication are installed
- License Plate : Random number, not your preferred number
3. Observing driving patterns
- Drive carefully and strictly adhere to the legal speed limit
- Turn signals on for a long time when changing lanes
- Drive at a constant speed in the left or center lane
- Maintain an appropriate distance from surrounding vehicles
4. Reactions of surrounding cars
- The following vehicle leaves an unnatural distance between them
- A car that normally speeds suddenly slows down
- Drivers around the area are on alert
How to identify undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars
Judging points based on appearance
- Body color : Black, white, silver
- Grade : Higher grades such as executive lounges
- Number : Random numbers from the local area
- Windows : Dark privacy glass in the rear seats
Judging by behavioral patterns
- Location : Often seen around government districts and important facilities
- Accompanying vehicles : Coordinated movements with other police vehicles
- Parking : Park in a special location, not a regular parking lot.
Why choose the Alphard or Vellfire?
Advantages of being an undercover police car
1. Easily blends in with regular cars
- There are many luxury minivans on the market
- Highly recognized as a family car
- An appearance that doesn’t give off a sense of incongruity
2. Utilizing the interior space
- A spacious interior space suitable for long-term activities
- Able to carry a wide range of equipment
- Multi-person work and meetings possible
3. Comfort and practicality
- Ensuring comfort during VIP transport
- Reduce fatigue during long-distance travel
- Stability in bad weather
4. Psychological Effects
- The intimidating presence of a luxury car
- Psychological impact on ordinary drivers
- Crime prevention effect
Disadvantages and limitations
1. Cost
- High vehicle purchase costs
- Poor fuel economy and high operating costs
- Maintenance costs are also high
2. Performance
- Acceleration performance is inferior to that of a sedan
- Limited mobility
- Not suitable for high-speed tracking
Adoption status by region
Adoption status in urban areas
Metropolitan Police Department (Tokyo)
- Multiple units introduced for VIP protection
- Numerous sightings around the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters
- Used as a dedicated vehicle for VIP transport
Osaka Prefectural Police
- VIP transportation at Kansai International Airport
- Used when transporting important people
- It may have also been used at the G20 Summit
Aichi Prefectural Police
- Use related to Chubu Centrair International Airport
- VIP support for the automotive industry
- Security duties at international conferences
Status of adoption in rural areas
While not widely used by local police departments, they are sometimes used to:
- Protecting VIPs at tourist spots
- Security services at international conferences
- Disaster command vehicle
Future trends and predictions
Potential for expanded adoption
1. Changes in social conditions
- Demand for strengthened counter-terrorism measures
- Increasing number of international conferences
- Improving the level of VIP protection
2. Technological advances
- Improved fuel economy through hybrid technology
- Possible uses of autonomous driving technology
- Improvement of communication technology
3. Changes in budget allocation
- Increased budget for security services
- Increasing demand for special vehicles
- Strengthening cooperation with private security
Constraining Factors
1. Cost Issues
- Limited police budget
- High operational costs
- Doubts about cost-effectiveness
2. Practicality Issues
- Not suitable for traffic enforcement
- Highly specialized and lacking in versatility
- Maintenance system issues
Impact on general drivers and precautions
Precautions when driving
1. There’s no need to be overly cautious
- Not all Alphards and Vellfires are undercover police cars
- The chances of encountering them in general traffic enforcement are low
- It is most important to drive normally
2. Thoroughly enforce safe driving
- Obey the legal speed limit regardless of the presence of undercover police cars
- Maintain a safe distance between vehicles
- Proper use of turn signals
3. Stay calm
- Even if you spot a suspicious vehicle, it is dangerous to suddenly slow down.
- Continue driving naturally
- Don’t forget to be considerate of other vehicles
What to do if you encounter an undercover police car
1. Basic Response
- Continue driving normally without panicking
- Do not make sudden speed changes
- Maintain a safe distance
2. If you are asked to stop
- Park in a safe place
- Stop the engine and keep both hands on the wheel
- Follow the instructions of the police officer
Summary: The reality of undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars
While undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars do exist, their use is limited primarily to protecting VIPs and special investigative activities, rather than general traffic enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Existence confirmed : Actually used as a police vehicle
- Limited uses : Primarily for security and investigation purposes rather than traffic enforcement
- Low chance of encountering : The chances of an ordinary driver encountering a traffic enforcement officer are extremely low.
- Regional differences exist : Mostly implemented in urban police stations
- Possibility of future expansion : Possibility of increased adoption depending on social conditions
Final advice
With the increasing variety of undercover police car models, it is important to always drive safely and follow traffic rules , rather than focusing on specific models . While being aware of the existence of undercover Alphard and Vellfire police cars, it is important to continue driving normally without becoming overly cautious.
Complying with road traffic laws and driving safely is the most reliable and effective way to deal with undercover police cars.
