At the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW unveiled an armored version of its new X5. Dubbed the BMW X5 Security Plus Concept, this car is set to be the only car in its class that fulfills the requirements of Protection Level VR6, meaning that it can withstands the 7.62 rounds from a Kalashnikov AK47.
The car offers all-around protection against violent assault, kidnapping, and organized crime, which is why BMW reckons it is a good family car if you live in regions like South America, Africa, or Russia. If you live in a less dangerous country, they do offer a low-fat version with Protection Level VR4, but if you are getting an armored car, you might as well get the best one there is.
The meat of the BMW X5 Security Plus is an armoured passenger cell constructed from high-performance steel mouldings and panels, complete with security glass specially developed for this protection level with polycarbonate coating.
The performance of an armoured car is almost as important as its ability to dodge bullets and IEDs. Which is why BMW has equipped the X5 Security with a 450 hp V8 petrol engine with xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
They promise that despite the additional components designed to keep its occupants safe and sound, the BMW X5 Security Plus Concept offers the same comfort and convenience familiar from regular BMW models. And the best thing about it is that it looks like an ordinary X5. If your enemies realize you are in an armoured car, they’d probably lob an RPG at you instead of spraying you with AK.–– Paul Duchene
