For decades now, BMW has been building some of the most luxurious in-house armored vehicles, from stretched E38 7 Series sedans to stealthy X5 crossovers. Sure, the world’s leaders have historically favored bulletproof Benzes, but there’s a certain allure to an armored BMW. Now, the brand is taking asset protection in a new direction while sticking to what they know with the new 7 Series Protection. Available with two very different powertrains, it’s coming soon to a G7 country near you.
Right out of the gate, the BMW 7 Series Protection is VPAM VR9 ballistics certified for up to 7.62×51 mm ammunition, so anything with a velocity of 2,690 feet per second (820 m/s) shouldn’t puncture the armored passenger compartment. This is also equivalent to PAS 300 ballistics BA-M certification, if we want to get nerdy. The 7 Series Protection also passes PAS 300 blast resistance testing, for a little extra peace of mind. However, the projectile- and blast-resistance isn’t the astonishing part of this armored 7 Series — it’s the powertrain choice.
Sure, you could choose the 760i xDrive’s proven option of a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 pumping out 530 horsepower and 533 lb.-ft. of torque. With a manufacturer-claimed zero-to-60 time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph, it should outrun most threats no problem. However, global governments have been heavily touting green initiatives, and BMW is letting them amp up the optics with the i7 Protection. Sure, it may only top out at 99 mph and have a zero-to-60 time of nine seconds flat, but it’s a more sustainable way to chauffeur around top-level bureaucrats. Drive to a public appearance, charge up while a speech is being made or a ribbon is getting cut, drive home. Range isn’t a real concern because any longer trips simply involve flying, and electric propulsion leads by example.
Alright, so the choice of powertrains is pretty cool. What else makes the new 7 Series Protection special? Well, defensive measures go much further than mere armoring. Depending on global location, firearms can be hard to get, but toxic gas? That’s why you’re not supposed to store bleach and ammonia together. As such, it shouldn’t be surprising that this fortified luxobarge gets a fresh air supply for fighting gas attacks. Oh, and if incendiary devices are being used, an onboard fire extinguisher system can trigger automatically to temper flames. Sadly, there’s no word on available door-mounted firearms you could get in the ’90s, but I’m sure that if you’re the head of a small state, it may be possible to work out some *ahem* custom arrangements.
As part of the anti-terrorism package, the 7 Series Protection rolls on the Michelin PAX system, the weird rigid ring run-flat tire that plagued Honda Odyssey and Bugatti Veyron owners alike. Requiring special equipment to mount and dismount while costing a fortune, the PAX system is a terrible choice for a daily driver but an excellent armored car decision. The hard plastic ring sitting around the wheel provides high-speed run-flat capabilities without significantly degrading ride quality.
On the inside, expect to be pampered with almost all the toys available in a regular 7 Series like a curved infotainment display, privacy blinds, illuminated crystal trim, and a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. It’s a huge step up in backseat luxury over the outgoing model, and it makes the rear seat of the new S-Class look a little basic. However, there’s no mention of the massive 31.3-inch 8K rear seat entertainment screen being available, possibly due to functional reasons.
So how soon will the BMW 7 Series Protection hit the streets? Expect the first ones to be delivered this December, so it should make for one hell of a Christmas gift. While BMW hasn’t announced which very important people have ordered this bullet-resistant barge, don’t be surprised to see G7 leaders on the clientele list.
(Photo credits: BMW)
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Calling Mr. Bond, Mr. Bond. You’re car is ready.
Am I missing something or is the second powertrain never actually defined? The stats are given, but not the actual engine size or displacement. It’s hinted that it’s a PHEV, but that’s it.
I get that these cars weigh a hundred tons, but those 0-60 times feel unsafely slow.
0-60 in 6.6 is now considered unsafely slow?
For anyne dreaming of IED’s, BMW’s Protection line’s intended clients have always been people in places where carjackings are endemic.
It has always been meant to stop light arms fire, at a much lower price (and weight) than bona fide armored cars like, in BMW’s case, the Security line.
Turned out there are much more clients willing to be able to drive out of a carjacking/local hoodlum abduction enthusiast exercise than clients in real danger of getting hit by a rocket or explosives of any kind.
Incidentally, G7 countries are rarely the prime market for these. My bet is orders of magnitude more are sold in countries like Mexico.
It’s a natural progression since it already looks like a battering ram.
I’m quite nonplussed to realize that, for the first time in a good while, I actually rather like a new OEM wheel. How did this even happen?
A roomful of monkeys pounding away 24/7 in Autocad will eventually produce a handsome wheel design.
Perhaps it’s because this wheel has a tire with a sensible amount of sidewall, rather than the low-profile rubber-bands which have been popular for years?
(Presumably they’re that size because of the run flat gubbins)
From “Drive by’s to the drop-off lane” BMW is dedicated to serving its American customer’s unique needs.
If you drive a car looking like this, you may very well need the ‘protection’ variant.
It’s like they’re just daring me to plant IEDs to see if this thing really works.
Knowing BMW, it will work great for the first owner. The second owner however, won’t know what hit him.
I think the war in Ukraine with the enlightenment about various, relatively inexpensive drones will make such vehicles obsolete.
Very cool, but useless against a half decent off route mine with an explosively formed penetrator. This is how the Red Army Faction defeated banker Alfred Herrhausen’s armored Mercedes in 1989.
I’m equal parts impressed and concerned by your knowledge of this remarkably specific example. XD
What’s kinda crazy (for 1989) is that they had the device on a parked bike on the side of the road that knew not to detonate until the SECOND mercedes passed that he was in.
All the big banks have a bad history… DB has a much worse history than most…
They used an invisible infrared tripwire!
Pretty much!
Generally, if you need one of these, acceleration performance isn’t that important, so the slower one is perfectly fine. Bad guys/freedom fighters/criminal rivals/exploited proles/families of your murder victims with connections are unlikely to goad you into a high speed chase scenario across the city like the movies might do, they’re going to set up an ambush and getting even a short distance out of that kill box alive can mean safety. Of course, if you’re no longer doing your job as a democratic mask for the ruling military junta, you’re going to need a bigger boat.
But how does it stand up to ball bearings?
If I were an auto exec trying to associate my brand with power and influence, I would absolutely want my cars to be seen in motorcades chauffeuring politicians to important summit meetings. Hell, I’d probably even sell them at a loss for publicity like that.
But I am not an executive, I’m just a guy, and all I can think of while seeing this is, “Okay, who showed them the guillotine memes?”
> I would absolutely want my cars to be seen in motorcades chauffeuring politicians to important summit meetings
Depends. Idi Amin? Kim Jung Un? Gaddafi? Saddam?
Needing those vehicles mean either Putin wants to kill you or he’s your bff.