DJ Tim Westwood and the strangely named rapper MC Chipmunk today unveiled the latest offering from MTV's series Pimp My Ride UK - a made-over police van. MTV UK, EMI and the Metropolitan Police joined forces to "pimp" the van for youth charity XLP, transforming it into a fully functioning music studio. The van now has a mixing desk, three wireless laptops and a digital video camera as well as a sound proof booth for vocal recordings. It can also be used as a stage where young people can gain performance experience. More of a Tardis than a police van, if you like. The front of the van has also been refitted in carbon fibre, black PVC with white leather seats, and there is a new MP3 stereo head unit with flipout 7" DVD screen. The side door now opens vertically and a 40" plasma screen and XBox with wireless controllers faces out of the side of the van. Also lying flat on the roof is a full sized remote-controlled basketball backboard and hoop that rises and extends from the rear of the van. Phew. The project will be seen in a special edition of the show to be called, wait for it, Pimp My Riot Van on MTV One on November 30. As Westwood would say, "Understand that!"
