BMW's armored electric vehicle revealed for the Prime Minister

author: FutureCar Staff    

BMW has unveiled an armoured version of its fully electric sedan flagship, the i7 Protection. This vehicle is designed to provide protection and low-emissions luxury, making it ideal for dignitaries, presidents, and potentially local ministers.

The armoured i7 offers bullet and bomb-proof resilience, making it highly secure. It remains to be seen whether it will be included in the local Government fleet.

Currently, New Zealand already has an armoured Seven in the Crown fleet, which is a petrol V12. This vehicle was purchased over two decades ago and is still in use for hosting 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 have focused on runout versions of luxury limousines, but the shift towards electric vehicles has changed this policy.

BMW New Zealand has not confirmed whether the i7 Protection is being evaluated by the Government. The company maintains a policy of not commenting on its relationships with the government or matters concerning security vehicles.

The i7 Protection is the first armoured electric sedan offered by a car manufacturer. It is an alternative to a petrol, 760Li grade model that also meets the same protective specifications.

Both models are certified to VR9 protection standards, providing security against various levels of gunfire and explosive devices. The glass used provides the highest level of protection, and the armoured body can be upgraded for even greater toughness.

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.

Occupants can expect protection from explosives underneath the car and from drone attacks. Specially developed run-flat tires enable the cars to continue driving when fully deflated.

A variety of custom options are available for the i7 Protection, including a fresh-air supply system, a fire extinguishing system, flashing lights, radio transceivers, and flag poles.

The weight of the vehicles has not been disclosed, but it is expected that the armoured 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, with up to 400kW and 745Nm of power. However, the additional weight affects its performance, with a 0-100kmh time of nine seconds, which is twice as long as the regular version.

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

FutureCar Staff