Check out this V8-powered, armoured BMW X5

By topgear, 31 August 2019

Just look at the thickness of those windows. That, dear readers, is 33 millimetres of bullet-proof glass and polycarbonate, designed to stop a series of rounds from the world’s most commonly-used weapon – the AK47. It’s a very defensive welcome to the new BMW X5 Protection VR6. 

The Bavarians have been bullet-proofing their cars for over 40 years now, starting with the BMW 733i High Security way back in 1978, and BMW claims that this generation of X5 was even developed from the very start with an armoured version in mind.

X5 Armour
X5 Armour

This isn’t just a basic sheet-metal job. In fact, the ‘VR6’ tag in the car’s certified level of protection. That may not mean much to you (unless you regularly fend off kidnapping attempts or find yourself surrounded by angry mobs), but it essentially means this X5 will save its occupants from TNT blasts, hand grenades thrown under the car, bullets fired from a handgun or longer-range firearms, and direct impacts from hefty sledgehammers and the like. Useful, if overkill for most commutes.

Along with the security glass, that level of protection comes from moulded armour-plating made from high-strength steel, an aluminium underbody shield, an armoured boot partition and a self-sealing fuel tank.

As standard you’ll also get an intercom and an attack alarm system for when things go awry, whilst you can option an extensively armoured roof (to stop drone attacks) and ventilated seats (with a massage function), depending on your priorities. 

BMW claims that the X5 Protection “meets the increased need for individual protection and superiority” whilst offering “private individuals and persons at risk customised protection against violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime.”

It’s serious stuff then, though probably a bit over the top for concealing yourself from the most annoying parents on the school run. BMW reckons they’ll sell mostly in South America, Africa and Russia.

Now, we know what you’re thinking, the standard X5 hardly comes from the Colin Chapman school of handling, so just how much does all of this weigh?

Well, BMW won’t say explicitly, but we do know that the suspension and brakes have been adapted to take the extra stress, while the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 will shift the VR6 from 0-100kph in a pretty handy 5.9 seconds.

So, if the day ever comes where you really upset someone, would you choose this, the Range Rover Sentinel or the Volvo XC90 Armoured? Time to choose, Internet…