BMW unveils its latest bullet-proof car with claims it is the first manufacturer to offer protection from AK-47 fire
- New BMW X5 Security Plus bullet-proof car can withstand fire from AK-47
- Claims it is the first car to offer protection from such an attack
- Is fitted with special steel, shatter-proof glass and a 8 cylinder engine
- Costs around £110,000 more than double usual price of a BMW X5
- Was unveiled by the manufacturer this week at the Moscow Motorshow
Security-conscious
drivers can put their worries at ease after BMW unveiled its latest
armoured car with claims it can withstand the fire from an AK-47.
The
German manufacturer revealed the BMW X5 Security Plus car at the Moscow
Motorshow, which is taking place in the Russian capital this week.
Many
of the world's top car makers chose to display their bullet-proof cars
at the event, with BMW claiming it is the first manufacturer to offer
protection from an AK-47 attack.
The BMW X5 Security, which can withstand an attack from blunt objects or by a gun
The car has been rigorously tested and comes with special reinforced steel and shatter-proof glass
According
to BMW, the X5 Security Plus provides protection from all kinds of
street crime, whether the vehicle is attacked by a blunt object or by a
handgun.
And
they add: 'Officially certified as offering class VR6 ballistic
protection, it is the first vehicle specifically designed to protect
against the world’s most widely used firearm, the AK-47, while at the
same time offering drivers the everyday flexibility they need.'
The
car is fitted with special steel and shatterproof glass and comes with
an eight-cylinder, turbocharged engine generating 450 horsepower, which
means drivers can power their vehicle away if they feel they are in
danger.
Other
safety features customers can chose from include run-flat tyres, a
self-sealing fuel tank, an attack alarm and an intercom system.
BMW claim it is the first manufacturer to offer protection from an AK-47 attack in its security vehicles
But despite the safety features, BMW also add that it drives like any other sports utility vehicle offered by the company.
However, with normal X5 series vehicles starting from £43,000, an X5 Security Plus is likely to cost around £110,000.
The
model joins BMW's previous security car, the BMW 7 Series High
Security, which is designed for high-ranking officials and corporate
executives.
Despite the safety features, BMW also add that it drives like any other sports utility vehicle offered by the company
Other safety features customers can
chose from include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank, an attack
alarm and an intercom system
When
he was Prime Minister, Tony Blair took delivery of a fully armoured BMW
7-series — dubbed the ‘Blair Panzer’ after the German word for armour.
David Cameron has, as his official car, an armoured, top-of-the-range Jaguar XJ.
But
trumping them all is U.S. President Barack Obama with his gargantuan
armoured Cadillac-style limousine, dubbed ‘The Beast’, which follows him
around the globe on official visits.
Demand for armoured cars is on the increase in the U.S. while in Britain they are popular with Eastern European oligarchs.
Luxury
car-makers such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz
already have their own ‘in-house’ security arms which build in armouring
from scratch.
