The world can be a dangerous place and it always pays to be prepared for anything. So if you have the cash to spare, it definitely pays dividends to invest in a very safe vehicle, especially if you travel a lot. Fortunately, BMW has a long history in developing armoured vehicles rolling them out since 2004 and their latest X5 Protection VR6 armoured SUV is built tougher than the average car.
On the outside, the SUV looks very much like your regular X5 but it has a thick steel plating and composite underneath that can literally withstand almost anything you can throw at it from bullets, grenades and even a drone strike.
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Now, you may be wondering what does the VR6 in the name stand for. It actually denotes the armour protection rating, so it is able to withstand bullets from an AK-47 assault rifle and even stop armour piercing rounds. To keep passengers safe while offering them a view of the outside world, there is a layered side glass that is 1.3-inches thick and contains an additional polycarbonate layer to stop splinters.
Even if the X5 Protection runs over a hand grenade, the aluminium underbody shield and floor plating that is able to repel the blast. It also helps that the fuel tank is self-sealing, preventing it from rupturing or catching fire.
To stop threats from above, the vehicle can be equipped with an armoured roof that can handle a blast from up to 200g of C4 explosive.
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In the event the X5 Protection needs to make a quick getaway from a dangerous situation, the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine underneath the hood packs 523 horsepower with a top speed of 210kph and is able to hit 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. While you may think the tires are the weakest point in the car, you would be proven wrong. With four run flat tires with reinforced sidewalls that are said to run even after complete loss of air pressure, the X5 Protection is more than capable at outrunning danger.
Even though the X5 Protection is covered from top to bottom in armour plating, it still manages to offer a pleasant drive to its occupants. will find a very spacious interior with all the trappings of a modern luxury vehicle from four-zone climate control, a hi-fi audio system, ambient lighting, and a 12.3-inch screen entertainment system. To help you destress and take your mind off any danger you face, there is the option to install massaging seats in the vehicle.
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As you may expect, all this protection and comforts raises the price tag of the X5 Protection VR6 a fair bit to the region of six figures. BMW is set to reveal the official price later this year.
