First for Africa! SVI's ARMOURED X3 certified by BMW AG

Описание: We're pleased to announce the availability in South Africa of a new BMW-approved protection package for the Rosslyn-built X3 M40i, marking the very first time that BMW AG has performed an armouring certification on the African continent.

Fulfilling the requirements of ballistic resistance class NIJ Level IIIA (comparable to B4) and thus providing protection against handguns (including 9 mm and .44 Magnum), the armoured X3 M40i joins the German automaker’s local range after undergoing extensive ballistic and durability testing right here in South Africa, in accordance with internationally recognised guidelines.

As such, the SVI-armoured X3 M40i can now be ordered – and financed – directly from any BMW dealership nationwide, with the standard manufacturer warranty and maintenance plan remaining completely intact.

“This project represents the first time that BMW AG has performed an armouring certification on the African continent. The result is a vehicle that can withstand attacks up to .44 Magnum from different directions and angles,” said Dr Daniel Huber, BMW AG engineer for armoured vehicles, who travelled from Munich to South Africa for the extensive testing process.

CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR SVI-ARMOURED X3

The painstaking certification, which was overseen by Beschussamt Munich, an independent German authority on ballistic testing, involved a completed X3 test vehicle being subjected to more than 400 shots – including taking fire from above at an angle of 45 degrees. Successfully meeting the requirements, the SVI-developed special-protection X3 thus becomes the only armoured vehicle in South Africa officially tested to the stringent NIJ Level IIIA standard.

“Sometimes only the individual armouring components – such as the glass, Kevlar sheets and armoured steel – undergo ballistic testing. But with the X3 we tested the complete armoured vehicle as per the VPAM standard used by BMW AG worldwide, allowing us to target potential weak spots and ultimately deliver maximum protection in critical areas,” said Jaco de Kock, Chief Executive Officer of the SVI Group of Companies.

Furthermore, SVI built a second armoured X3 specifically to take part in a comprehensive durability programme that included as many as 10 000 door cycles, 7 000 boot cycles and 3 000 window-operation cycles. In addition, the bullet-resistant vehicle completed 3 000 km of punishing durability testing on mixed surfaces, including dirt roads.

Contact SVI or your local BMW dealership today!