Newly Revealed Armored Electric Vehicle for Prime Minister

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【Summary】BMW has unveiled an armoured version of its electric sedan, the i7 Protection, designed for dignitaries and government officials. The vehicle offers bullet and bomb-proof resilience and is certified to VR9 protection standards. It features bullet-proof glass, armoured steel construction, and other safety measures. The New Zealand government and BMW have not confirmed whether the i7 Protection will be acquired for the government fleet.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 6:19 AM PT

Newly Revealed Armored Electric Vehicle for Prime Minister

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

The Crown's current VIP cars are due for renewal, and it is unclear whether the i7 Protection is being evaluated for acquisition. BMW New Zealand has declined to comment on its relationship with the government or matters concerning security vehicles. The i7 Protection 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 vehicles have a similar appearance to regular variants and are designed to be more discreet than converted post-production protection vehicles. They feature a newly engineered Protection Core, with the entire supporting structure built from armoured steel to form a self-supporting protective cell. The underbody and roof are also armored, and the safety glass provides the highest level of protection for a civilian protection vehicle. Custom options include a fresh-air supply system, a fire extinguishing system, flashing lights, radio transceivers, and flag poles.

The i7 Protection is equipped with a dual-motor setup, similar to the showroom i7 M70 xDrive, producing up to 400kW and 745Nm. However, the additional weight of the armoured features affects performance, with a 0-100kmh time of nine seconds, twice as long as the regular version. Specially developed PAX run flat tires from Michelin allow the car to continue driving even when fully deflated. BMW offers specialized driver training courses for chauffeurs and a global network of experts to provide service and support specific to the Protection vehicles.