Ford Scorpio
The sidekick rides
Being Luther’s sidekick is an unenviable role for which you will need a decent set of wheels. In the very first episode viewers are introduced to DS Justin Ripley, and his choice of police car – a 1995 second generation Ford Scorpio of the base spec 2.0-litre variety.
Jeep Cherokee 4.0
Future sidekick turned pursuer, DCI Erin Gray fairs far better with the choice of a 1997 Jeep Cherokee packing 4.0-litres of power – making it the perfect go-anywhere vehicle to pursue her former guvnor.
Saab 900
Swedes for the love rival
If having London’s toughest detective as a love rival is too stressful for him, then Mark North could always console himself taking a very long drive in his 1990 Saab 900.
A car that we think is one of the prettiest things ever to come out of Scandinavia.
Saab 99
By season two things had gotten even more complicated for the character, during which he is seen driving a 1982 Saab 99 – a car which he later crashed deliberately as a favour for Luther.
Mitsubishi Evo X
Vintage blues and twos
One thing that Luther is guilty of as a show is making police cars that little bit cooler.
From the first episode, we were given the joyous sight of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in full police livery rushing to a crime scene.
BMW 5 Series E39
Later episodes were equally as glorious, giving us such rare metal such as several BMW 5 Series E39s complete with blues and twos blaring.
This, of course, made us wish for the time when the Vauxhall Astra wasn’t the goto Police car of choice.
Volvo 240
DCI John Luther – Volvo fanboy
Now comes the unlikeliest of all hero cars – the Volvo saloon.
From the off, it’s clear John Luther has a thing for Swedish tanks as he tools about London in a battle-scarred Volvo 240 saloon from the early 1980s during the first season.
Volvo 740
While the fate of the 240 is unknown, its replacement in season two is an even tougher 1989 spec Volvo 740 saloon – complete with primer painted front wings and missing hubcaps.
Who knew that London’s toughest copper would be a fan of the world’s toughest cars.
BMW 740i E38
The executive choice for the guvnor
Early in the second season, Luther gets a new guvnor in DSU Martin Schenk. And what does the man in charge drive? A 1996 BMW 740i E38 of course.
Which if you’re asking us is the perfect choice with a silky smooth 4.4-litre V8 engine.
Jensen FF
A proper villains motor
Don’t think the villains get left out of the classic car action either. Luther’s enemy/best friend Alice Morgan is seen speeding to his aid at the wheel of a rare 1968 Jensen FF.
Being a car you don’t see very often at all, this has left us wondering exactly how she managed to find one in the first place.
Jaguar XJ6 Series III
Next, we have the car of choice for the kidnappers’ sidekick, a vintage 1988 Jaguar XJ6 Series III.
As you’d expect, it of course fails to start when the driver is in mortal danger – just like every old Jag ever.
Mercedes-Benz 300SE
Things get a bit more reliable for the leader of the previously mentioned kidnappers. As he is seen driving around London in a 1987 Mercedes 300 SE.
This, of course, gives him an advantage – knowing full well that his choice of German reliability gives him a sizeable edge when making a successful getaway.
Nissan Bluebird
Lastly, if you’ve been pondering the question “what is the ideal choice of car for a fame-seeking serial killer?”
Then the answer (obviously) according to Luther is a 1990 Nissan Bluebird. Because of course it is.
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