Last week Carbon Motors and BMW finalized a deal that would bring BMW diesel engines in E7 police cars. These clean diesel, turbocharged engines are expected to cut CO2 emissions by 40 percent.

The “purpose-built” patrol car estimated to launch in 2012 has been in development since 2007. Some of its features include a 75 mph rear impact capability as well as the ability to last through 250,000 miles. The vehicle can go from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds and gets about 28 to 30 miles per gallon.

“We are excited by this car’s functional design for the law enforcement mission,” said U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar in a prepared statement. “We are excited by its green features, by how it will reduce the use of foreign oil, and its lower emissions.”

Others took to the forums to voice even stronger opinions about the new turbocharged E7. One person wrote: “That is one ugly car…..I think I would rather be on bike patrol then stuck in that thing,” on the Officer.com forum.

Another commenter agreed that the car was not aesthetically pleasing. However he reminded others that looks aren’t really that important. “I like new cool toys as much as the next guy, but it is a tool. The better tools you have, the better job you can do.”

Others around the web have compared the E7 to a Hot Wheels car and the Ford Interceptor. Some wondered what purpose the rear suicide doors served, even calling the doors “a recipe for disaster.”

And a handful of folks brought up the fact that plenty of precincts are just too poor to afford new cop cars like this one.