The modified Honda Integra was spotted trailing sparks at Countdown supermarket, next to the Dunedin Central Police Station, at 12.05am, and a police car followed the vehicle to the southbound one-way street system.
The car, which was carrying four or five people, stopped at several lights, but once on Castle St, it was driven off at high speed. It ran a red light on to the Southern Motorway at the Oval, Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said.
On the motorway, the car passed a vehicle and reached an estimated speed of 90kmh in a 50kmh area, before being driven on the wrong side of the road up Caversham Valley Rd.
"Sparks were coming from the vehicle for the entirety of the pursuit," Snr Sgt Benn said.
Due to the speed, the pursuit was called off, but a short time later, a patrol car came across the vehicle on Stevenson Rd, heading towards Corstorphine.
"We abandoned the pursuit for the second time, after it turned into Riselaw Rd, with its speed increasing," Snr Sgt Benn said.
The vehicle was later found abandoned in Pladda St, Calton Hill, and was towed to a secure location.
Police inquiries yesterday revealed the registered owner of the vehicle had recently sold the vehicle, he said.
Anyone with information concerning the incident was urged to contact Dunedin Police on (03) 471-4800.
