Torchwood SUV
The Torchwood S.U.V was the main mode of transport that Torchwood Three used to travel during missions.
Profile
The Torchwood vehicle was a converted large, black Range Rover Vogue with tinted windows and blue lights running along the A pillars. The vehicle had a white-on-black non-standard typeface for the registration plate, usually found only on military vehicles and vehicles from before 1973. Its registration number, CF06 FDU, indicating the vehicle was registered in Cardiff between March and September 2006, did not appear in the DVLA vehicle register (TW: Everything Changes) and the boot was large enough to fit a full sized body, such as a Weevil or an alien blowfish. (TW: Combat)
History
The S.U.V was, presumably, used by the Torchwood team when they would go for a drink or something to eat. (TW: Cyberwoman) On another mission, the Torchwood team were in the country when the car was stolen due to the keys being left inside. It was then driven off, with most of their gear still inside. It was found parked 3.4 miles away in a nearby town. (TW: Countrycide) Torchwood also contacted Kathy Swanson, a member of the Cardiff Police force, who helped Torchwood track down Suzie when she took Gwen hostage. (TW: They Keep Killing Suzie) The S.U.V was at the scene of Eugene Jones' death and, unknown to them, Eugene was one of the only members of the public to see inside the S.U.V. (TW: Random Shoes) The SUV was used to transport, release and chase Janet through Cardiff. (TW: Combat) When Tosh and Jack went to investigate an abandoned dance hall, they were taken through the rift, and the S.U.V was left behind, which Gwen later discovered. (TW: Captain Jack Harkness)
When a blowfish stole a sports car, Torchwood gave chase in the S.U.V. Owen opened the window and leaned out, firing a gun at the wheels of the sports car. Jack then used it, leaving the team behind, to find John Hart. (TW: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) Torchwood Three later used it to investigate a crashed lorry, with alien meat inside. (TW: Meat) Later on, when Torchwood walked into a booby-trapped building, the S.U.V was stolen by John Hart (TW: Fragments), who later returned it after the deaths of Owen Harper and Toshiko Sato. (TW Exit Wounds)
The S.U.V was stolen again by local teenagers when Ianto Jones went to visit his sister. (TW Children of Earth: Day One)
Known features
- The S.U.V was known to contain computers that can connect to the Torchwood Hub and to various databases, such as police and civilians' personal files. (TW: Day One)
- The S.U.V has a triple deadlock, according to Ianto Jones. (TW: Children of Earth: Day One) However, it was broken into on multiple occasions. (TW: Countrycide, Exit Wounds, Children of Earth: Day One)
- The Torchwood S.U.V could also change the traffic lights so that they were green before the vehicle reached them. (TWN: Slow Decay)
- Even with its bulky and heavy size the vehicle still managed a high speed, capable of catching up with a sports car. (TW: Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)
- Underneath the boot of the S.U.V, there was a hidden, disassembled, gun. (TW: Something Borrowed)
- Other features included on the S.U.V include rocket boosters, and the ability to transform itself into a boat, although the latter feature had not been tested before Ianto Jones and Jack Harkness used it during a mission. The S.U.V promptly began to sink. (TWA: The Sin Eaters)
- The boot was able to automatically open and close itself, which was used to safely to release Janet. (TW: Combat)
Behind the scenes
- In a commentary for Series 1, Russell T Davies stated that he hated the yellow lettering of the Torchwood wording on the roof of the car and that there was only one shot of the word and it would never be shot again. The word partially appeared in the episode Random Shoes.
- Considering Torchwood 3's attempts, early on at least, at being a secret organisation (TW: Everything Changes) it is odd that the word "Torchwood" would be emblazoned across the S.U.V.
- This vehicle was converted by Specialist Models, a Cardiff based model and prop maker.
- The modified 2002 Range Rover used as the Torchwood S.U.V. was sold at a BBC Archives Costume and Props auction held at Bonhams on 24 February 2010. The vehicle sold for £18,000. [1]
