How many times have we read the Los Angeles Police Department’s motto, Protect and Serve, in Hollywood movies or TV shows? I’m sure a countless number of times. BMW also believes in and has upped the ante by providing armoured protection to its VVIP clients like heads of state, royal family and business tycoons.
The Bavarian-based company has been in this business for the last 45 years, which first began with the 7 Series in 1978. Currently, BMW offers this security package on the 7 Series and the X5. The company has also announced that it will be the first company in the world to launch an armoured electric vehicle, the i7. BMW has introduced the 7 Series Protection in India which will be available via the completely built-up unit (CBU) route. What’s interesting to note is that BMW rolls out four Protection vehicles a week.
BMW 7 Series Protection: Reinforced Limousine Tank
The sixth generation 7 Series Protection goes through a rigorous VR9 treatment which provides a very high level of ballistic certification for cars. The Protection version has been in BMW’s plan ever since the inception of the latest generation of the 7 Series. The armoured components like the 10 millimetres steel plates, the frame, doors, underbody and bulletproof glasses are all manufactured in-house.
The 7 Series Protection can foil highly volatile attacks including armour-piercing bullets and direct attacks from assault rifles like an AK47. At the same time, the floor and roof can repel the explosion from a roadside IED, hand grenade or drone-dropped grenade attack.
Now the question arises, what happens to the car’s fuel tank or tyres when it’s under attack? The wise people in Munich have covered all the bases as the 7 Series Protection comes with a self-sealing fuel tank that cancels out any chances of fuel loss or leak that could lead to catching fire. The fuel tank’s special casing also shields it from bullets.
Moving on to the tyres, the 7 Series Protection come standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, the biggest in its class. The PAX tyres have a runflat ring positioned on the wheel rim which allows the flagship Protection vehicle to cruise up to 80 kmph and cover around 30 km even when there’s a total loss of air pressure.
BMW 7 Series Protection: Features
Let’s start with the doors as each weighs 200kg due to the armour. With the insane weight, BMW offers motor assist doors for convenience as a standard feature. With a press of a button, all the doors can be closed and locked. As optional, the Protection car can be equipped with all-door Emergency Exits, Pennant Holder and Flashing Lights and beacons.
The rear passengers get electrically controlled sunblinds which come with a spy position feature where it comes down by ten centimetres. It comes standard with a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with a digital amplifier.
The 7 Series is equipped with numerous sensors like the parking view, 360-degree view, Remote3D View and BMW Drive Recorder functions are included in the Parking Assistant Plus package. It also comes with an ADAS suite including front-collision warning, Crossroads Warning, Lane Departure Warning etc.
BMW 7 Series Protection: Engine
Keeping in mind that the 7 Series Protection weighs 4.5 tones, it does 0 to 100 kmph in 6.6 seconds as it is powered by a new 4.4-litre V8 engine that uses a 48V mild hybrid system. It has an output of 523 bhp and peak torque of 750 Nm and a top speed of 210 kmph.
The 7 Series Protection is equipped with an all-wheel-drive system and is the first vehicle in its segment to be fitted with rear-wheel steering functionality. Thanks to this feature, it reduces the car’s turning circle when manoeuvring and sharpening its handling capabilities like quickly taking corners.
