souped-up 復習
和歌山県警に設置されている暴走族対策に特化した専門部隊「黒豹」がThe Japan Newsでとりあげられていました。
WAKAYAMA — In the early 2000s, many prefectural police departments started special motorcycle units to crack down on motorcycle gangs. One of the very first — the Kurohyo (Black panthers) — was created by the traffic enforcement division of the Wakayama prefectural police department.
Some prefectural police have disbanded their special motorcycle units in recent years due to the declining number of motorcycle gangs. However, Wakayama’s Kurohyo have added the prevention of juvenile delinquency to their patrol and pursuit duties, providing young people with guidance to turn them away from gangs. Their efforts continue to be successful.
Their exact number remains confidential, but the Kurohyo are former motorcycle patrol officers who undergo further training and are recruited for their outstanding riding skills. They ride large black motorcycles capable of quick acceleration. Teaming up with the Silver Tigers, who ride medium-size motorcycles with a smaller turning radius, they pursue motorcycle gangs wherever they encounter them.
When going after the gangs, it is important for the officers to ensure their own safety and the safety of the motorcyclists they’re after. At a training facility in Wakayama city, the Kurohyo develop formations that safely and effectively counter speeding violations among gangs.
The Kurohyo unit was formed in 2002, when it was common to see teenagers running wild on motorcycles and souped-up cars on city streets. Since then, gang membership numbers have been declining due to the falling birthrate and other factors.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002622188
とりあげる表現は“souped - up”です。
『ジーニアス英和辞典第5版』（大修館書店）では、「〈エンジンなど〉馬力をあげる；…を改良する、〈コンピュータなどの〉処理能力をあげる」とありました。英英では、“to improve something, especially a car, by making it more powerful” -LDOCEと定義されています。「〈車・エンジンなどが〉パワーアップした」ともあったことから、この場面でsouped - up carsは「改造車」と解釈できます。『リーダース英和辞典第2版』（研究社）でsoupをひくと「俗 ［競馬馬に飲ませる］興奮剤；俗［飛行機や自動車の］強化燃料」とありました。ここから転じて、“soup up”が性能アップの意味合いで使われるようになったかもしれません。（Chris）
