Driving in an armored car is still today the prerogative of VIP personalities or businessmen. However, this “high security” automobile market is growing rapidly in many geographies (Russia, South America, etc.) and to some extent in Europe.

Armored cars were (and still are) generally the work of a specialized company based on a standard sedan or 4×4 model (but equipped with a good engine, to take the extra weight of half a ton to an additional ton and a half). Today, sedan manufacturers manufacture armored models directly on a production line, such as the Mercedes Guard ,  BMW Security or Audi Security .

The price ranges remain high, but for the biggest fans among you, know that the second-hand market is quite developed, and it is possible to find old models (use the keywords: armored, B4, B6 , B7, VR4, VR6, VR7, armoured/armored (English), panzer (German)).

BMW X5 Security

There are different levels of shielding; the classification normally goes from 1 to 7 (1 being the least shielded, 7 the most shielded), but it is mainly the levels B4/VR4, B6/VR6 & B7/VR7 that we find:

– Level 4 protects against handguns (from 22LR to 44 mag); energy-absorbing materials such as Kevlar are often used; this level is used to protect against “amateur” attacks

– Levels 6 & 7 protect against certain military ammunition fired by assault rifles (eg 7.62) as well as certain explosives (eg grenades); the windows are generally between 35 & 45mm thick, and the bodywork is reinforced with additional millimeters of steel; this level is used to protect against “targeted assassination attempts”

Armored cars are therefore bulletproof, but also equipped with exceptional systems (without going as far as the blood pouch of the Obamamobile) such as:

– Self-supporting tires, or “run-flat” or “limited weakening” which allow you to roll after the attack ( runflat : the tire has reinforced sidewalls which prevent, over a certain distance, the flat tire from sagging & the loss of control of the car)

– A fire extinguishing system

– A self-sealing tank (a product outside the tank immediately blocks the hole caused by a bullet to avoid mixing with oxygen from the ambient air & therefore the risk of explosion)

– An oxygen recycling system inside the cabin

– A “panic-alarm” blockage, intercom with outside