TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE ARMOURED CARS IN THE WORLD
What is an armoured car? A car with arms!!! Well, yes you can say that because its arms are full of safety and security for its travellers. There are military armoured vehicles boasting and loudly announcing — beware! I am here to protect; and then there are armoured cars for civilians which camouflage in theirown identity without letting people “be aware” of the security it holds. Normally, people use their vehicle for transportation and not for attacking people. But it has been observed that throughout the world, civilian attacks have occurred while travelling. Politicians, scientists, celebrities as well as the criminals themselves are at risk while going from one place to the other. To cover this risk, smart, intelligent and visionary people came with an idea of protecting and if need be attacking during land mobility.
Do you know who this talented visionary was? Leonardo da Vinci! Actually he came up with the design of tank, way back in 1487. It was a vehicle of its kind, which moved in any direction and was loaded with ammunitions like the present day tanks. It was only in 1898 that the British inventor F.R. Simms made the first armed petrol engine-powered vehicle. With due course of time, vehicles and their capabilities to safeguard its travellers has increased beyond limits.
These days there are bulletproof cars that protect you from the outside attack. They look just the same as the original version but behind the scenes they are shielded with special sheets that can withstand the bullet penetration. Have you heard of bullet proof glass? Well, yes that is also just like the normal car window glass and wind shield but it is totally different in its nature. Just the glass itself weighs almost 60–70% of the extra load that these vehicles carry because of the steel and glass application. As these vehicles blend with other vehicles of its kind, it is the interior that has to be designed in such a manner that it doesn’t lose its identity and also be creative enough to hide the safety factors.
Eminent personalities of the society require safety for many reasons. But some VIPs courageously let the world know of their protection while some want the safety to be secretive. Now, cars can have more protection than just the shields and glass. They can be loaded with modern weaponry and built in such a manner that they can prevent all types of attacks and even counter-attack, if need be. There are certain protocols that need to be followed for tough defensive measures. To follow this protocol, even the workers don’t know who they are safeguarding other than the companies that take the orders.
Though, it has been seen that luxurious cars are increasing almost by 10% per annum. Most of these vehicles are seen in Middle East and African countries. There are many types of these vehicles but only few are considered to be the best. Let’s review some of the best (and also expensive) armoured cars:
- Lexus LS 460 L
Lexus LS 460 L encompasses security and safety embedded in the art of design. It looks like a normal luxury car but is heavier than the usual model and fast enough to rescue from any unwanted scene. It can provide 389 horse-powers with an 8 speed automatic transmission. It provides safety from bullets and grenade blasts without anyone noticing the power of the car from the exterior. It is designed by INKAS and priced around $300K.
2) BMW 750 Li Sedan
BMW is a class in itself! It is known for its furious and energetic built. It gives the look of fervour on wheels but it is actually a tank on wheels. Its 400 horsepower engine adds power and speed to carry the extra load of the ballistic steel. This is a complete protection shield for all its passengers whether in front or back seat. This V8 sedan has other parts covered too, fuel tank, battery, and radiator and amazingly the tail-pipe is armoured too. It is designed by International Armouring Company and costs around $340K.
3) Cadillac Escalade ESV
Cadillac Escalade ESV is a luxury comparable to a limousine. With luxurious interiors of pure leather, office equipment, LED screens, etc.; its ballistic steel provides complete protection with even the 40mm glass withholding the bullet fire. The extra chassis strength marks its forte on safety. It is designed by Becker Automotive Design and priced around $350K.
4) Mercedes-Benz S-Guard 600
Mercedes Benz along with the luxurious brand is also known for the base for armoured vehicles. The S-Guard model was actually the entering base for Mercedes Benz to capture the armour market. It has the capability to repel sniper fire from M60 machine guns and other projectiles, such as rocket-propelled grenades. It has its own oxygen system which seals the exterior vents and provides fresh air inside the car in case of a gas attack. It is believed that because of its mass, there are built-in hydraulic lifts to open and close. It costs around $400K.
5) Knight XV
Knight XV is an SUV, one-of-its kind as there are only 100 vehicles of this kind. This SUV does nothing to hide its statement of bulletproof SUV and also do not allow anyoneto know its power until required. It has a military grade design built from scratch with V10 engine. It is made of steel and aluminium composite Kevlar,which gives it extra strength and safe mobility with reinforced and hardened aluminiumwheels. It has an unbelievable luxury hotel room inside with most prominent feature of satellite TV. It is designed by Conquest Vehicles and costs around $629K.
6) Huron APC
Huron APC is bold to announce to the world that it is an armoured vehicle with robust built and powerful design. It flaunts its capabilities to warn others, its strength. The massive built with heavy ammunition can easily withstand any attack and also ensure that people stay at bay as it is loaded. It also has a machine gun located on its roof which can be controlled by a person sitting in the car. It is a miniature war tank designed for the military officials but can be used privately too. It is priced at $630K.
7) Audi A8 Security
Audi known for its style, ventured into amour industry disguising security with style. With almost 400 hours put into each master piece, it possesses the capability of withstanding almost anything fired at it. It is built with special aluminium alloys and bulletproof material and is certified by the German Ballistics Testing Centre for VR 7 ballistic standards. It can be further customized to provide other luxury elements such as LED signals, etc. along with security Personal Assistance System (PAS) to communicate with people outside the car. All this put together is priced around $700K.
8) Mercedes Benz G63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG is considered to be one of the best-equipped armoured limousines of this time. Here, the luxury takes a next level with all-black matte leather interior, customized lights, bulletproof glass, surveillance cameras and many more features. But the true safety lies with the protected floor that can withstand any explosionor shrapnel in addition to ballistic reinforcement, bullet catchers, fuel tank protection and many more. It was designed by INKAS and costs around $1 Million.
9) Cadillac One “The Beast”
Cadillac One “The Beast”! is an iconic armoured vehicle as it has been used by the President of USA. Its massiveness not in terms of size but ammunition carrying capacity has given it a nick name, “The Beast”. The magnificent feature that makes it stand out for safety is the fact that no person can open it from outside! It possesses the same features of fuel tank protection, fire system, oxygen supply, weapons like others but to make the President safe, it encompasses an encrypted communication system through which the President can call help from anywhere in the world. This lovingly Magnus safety and security costs only around $1.5 million.
10) DartzKombat T98\
DartzKombat T98 is an SUV featuring the highest level of luxury among all the armoured vehicles as the entire interior is upholstered with 100% whale penis leather.It is also glorified with white gold gauges encrypted with diamonds and gold-plated window trimming. Popularly known as “the Prombron”, it is seen on the roads of Russia and Europe for their political figures and Princes. It might be high on the luxury but it does not compromise with the safety. It has extra thick bullet resistant windows and steel plated doors that allow it to repel any rifle. In any rescue encounter, it can speed upto approx. 178km per hour to take the travellers away to a safe destination. This humongous safety on wheels costs around $1.5 million.
All around the world, famous and approved companies build these Personal Safety Vehicles to survive bullets, bombs and other ferocious attacks but to build these armoured vehicles, huge cost is involved. This is mainly because some stress on safety with luxury and some want a killer vehicle that is functional and serves the purpose.
