Politicians, VIPs, or practically anybody who fears for their personal safety should seriously consider bulletproof cars. For example, renowned German aftermarket tuning group BRABUS offers such services under its Invicto Protection Program. Another brand that comes to mind is Rezvani. To our surprise, BMW is teasing something exceptional in the works as well. For now, it’s listed as the Concept 7 Protection.
With the right materials, designers, and experience, a shop can retain the original look of the vehicle. However, as the armor plating gets thicker, the body consequently becomes bulkier. Furthermore, the weight also scales up, which then requires more tweaks to other components. Anyhow, it’s impressive how this 7 Series luxury four-door maintains an elegant profile despite the upgrades.
The press release notes that the Concept 7 Protection is “designed for private and corporate customers as well as organisations who are looking for adequate protection for their risk profile without compromising on discretion, comfort, and BMW’s signature driving dynamics.” Each build boasts a maximum VR9 and VPAM 10 rating.
These numbers tell us most ballistic projectiles and some explosives will not penetrate the armor or glass. Of course, the additional layers of material likewise make it a hefty machine. Therefore, it relies on an M760e xDrive plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 3.0-liter inline-six engine and a front-axle electric motor with an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox come into play.
Total output is approximately around 612 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. BMW even modifies the suspension, driver assistance technology, and brakes to compensate for the extra mass of the Concept 7 Protection. This bad boy can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 130 mph.
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Images courtesy of BMW
