Need for speed

The Oceanside Police Department has a new crime-fighting vehicle for their arsenal. No, it's not one of those surplus, armored Humvees being given away by the federal government.

It’s a sleek 2015 Nissan GT-R, one of the fastest production cars sold in America. The life-sized replica of a car used in the video game, Need For Speed, hit the Oceanside streets last week.

The vehicle is joint project between the department and Mossy Nissan. The department hopes to use it in various ways: connecting with younger people to perhaps pursue a career in law enforcement, as a public relations tool, and for it safety programs in Oceanside and Camp Pendleton schools.

With a rated top speed of 193 MPH, don’t expect it to be the lead unit in freeway police chases. It’s only a two-door coupe — no room for taking someone into custody.

The car has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $103,365. But other than the OPD decals, fittings, and modifications provided by the city’s fleet department, Nissan Corporation is providing the car free of charge to the city for at least the next four months.