Cars used by VIPs have additional features to ensure passengers are protected from attack. The motorcade of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, for example, will have a special car that disrupts cellular and radio services to avoid attacks using bombs placed from a distance.
Yesterday the BMW i7 Protection was shown with it being the first electric car produced by BMW with the ability to be bulletproof and explosion proof. It is a regular BMW i7 that passes the VR9 standard issued by the Vereinigung der Prüfstellen für angriffshemmende Materialien und Konstruktionen (VPAM).
This electric vehicle can withstand 7.62×54 R anti-armor rounds fired using M14 and FAL-FN rifles. In terms of bomb resistance, it can operate even after being attacked using a grenade. A special armor layer is placed on the roof, doors and floor covering. The mirror glass used can also withstand the attack.
The 20" tires used are of the Michelin PAX type which can still be used even if they are completely flat at a speed of 80 km/h. Other additional features are motorized doors for easy opening, automatic fire extinguishing system, emergency air supply and a special place to place the flag.
The car is equipped with a 544 horsepower electric motor that allows it to travel at a speed of 160 km/h. Because of the extra weight of the armor and the bulletproof glass, the i7 Protection takes 6 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h.
The BMW i7 Protection will be shown to the public at the IAA Mobility 2023 event next September with it going on sale in December 2023. Pricing has not been announced so far.