Early in the week, BMW has unveiled an armored version of its X5 SUV, designed to offer protection against explosives, firearms and attempted kidnappings. The X5 Protection VR6 was built on the same platform as the regular X5 with very little exterior design modifications. The idea here was to ensure that the X5 armored car will blend in with the standard models. As you can see in the images below, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between them.
Only on closer inspection you see the thicker window surrounds or flag mounts above the front wheel arches. Inside, apart from an array of buttons in the front cupholders, it has all the typical BMW features and options.
The X5 Protection VR6’s designation means that it conforms to the VR6 standard as established by Europe’s Associations of Testing Institutes for Attack Resistant Materials and Constructions (VPAM), which certifies vehicles basted on bullet and explosive resistance.
Even though it is almost indistinguishable from the standard X5, it is covered all over in high-strength steel armor plating, which overlaps at each panel and trim gap to maximize coverage.
Other options include underbody fiber-composite to withstand HG85 grenades (the base floor can handle DM51 grenades) and fiber and steel reinforcements for the roof to deal with drone attacks.
The armored X5 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 that puts out 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The vehicle weighs quite a bit more than a standard X5, though BMW hasn’t said how much. Still, at accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 130 mph.
