BMW unveils an armored EV for the Prime Minister

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】BMW has unveiled an armoured version of its i7 Protection, an electric sedan, designed for dignitaries and high-level officials. The car offers bullet and bomb-proof resilience, with features such as bullet-proof glass and armoured steel construction. It is not confirmed whether the car will be included in the New Zealand government fleet, which is due for renewal. The armoured i7 Protection is certified to VR9 protection standards and offers protection against gunfire and explosive devices.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 9:22 AM PT

BMW unveils an armored EV for the Prime Minister

The BMW i7 Protection, an armoured version of the fully electric sedan flagship, has been unveiled by BMW. This vehicle is designed to provide both protection and low-emissions luxury, making it ideal for dignitaries, presidents, and potentially local ministers. The armoured i7 offers bullet and bomb-proof resilience, with bullet-proof glass, protection-spec doors, and armoured steel construction. However, it is unclear whether it will be included in the local Government fleet.

New Zealand already has an armoured Seven in the Crown fleet, which is a petrol V12 model purchased over two decades ago. This special car is used when New Zealand hosts visiting international high-ups who require a high level of security. The Crown's current VIP cars are due for renewal, but the procurement process is shrouded in secrecy. Previous Government BMW fleet contracts focused on runout versions of luxury limousines, but the shift towards favoring electric vehicles has changed this policy.

BMW New Zealand has not confirmed whether the i7 Protection is being evaluated by the Government. The car is the first armoured electric sedan offered by a car manufacturer and is an alternative to a petrol, 760Li grade model with identical protective specifications. Both models are certified to VR9 protection standards, providing security against gunfire and explosive devices. The appearance of the vehicles is similar to regular variants, making them more discreet than post-production converted protection vehicles.

The latest models feature a newly engineered Protection Core, with the entire supporting structure built from armoured steel to form a self-supporting protective cell. This is combined with protection-spec doors, armoured underbody and roof, and safety glass. Occupants can expect protection from explosives underneath the car and from drone attacks. Specially developed PAX run flat tires enable the cars to continue driving when fully deflated.

Custom options are available for the i7 Protection, including a fresh-air supply system, fire extinguishing system, flashing lights, radio transceivers, and flag poles. The weights of the vehicles have not been disclosed, but upgrades may add as much as a tonne to the standard i7's weight of 2.7 tonnes. The i7 Protection has the same dual-motor setup as the showroom i7 M70 xDrive, but the extra weight affects its performance, with a 0-100kmh time of nine seconds, twice as long as the regular version.

BMW offers specialized driver training courses for chauffeurs and a global network of experts that provide worldwide service and support specific to the Protection vehicles.