R870,000 bulletproof upgrade for the BMW X3 in South Africa

It’s now possible to buy a BMW X3 that can protect its occupants against handgun fire.

Armormax, a South African company that specializes in developing armoured solutions for the nation’s most popular vehicles, has introduced a new protection option for the next-generation X3.

The SUV, which made its debut earlier this year, is made right here in South Africa at the company’s Rosslyn factory on the outskirts of Pretoria.

It’s one of the most popular vehicles in BMW’s catalogue, both locally and abroad, and customers can now install a discrete armour package that doesn’t compromise the looks or performance of the car.

“Armormax is proud to announce the completion of its first-ever B4 lightweight armoured BMW X3 (G45 Generation)- a vehicle that combines everyday elegance with world-class ballistic protection, built for those who choose to live life without limits.”

“The BMW X3 has long been one of BMW South Africa’s top-selling models, praised for its balance of performance, versatility, and premium comfort.”

“With the arrival of the new G45 platform, BMW has leaned further into a bold, confident design language- making it the ideal foundation for an Armormax armouring package that is both subtle and substantial.”

A discrete makeover

“B4” is an industry term that refers to the level of protection the armour package provides.

Higher levels will offer protection against more powerful firearms, but cost more to install and have a greater impact on performance on account of the added weight.

B4 is a lightweight option that can withstand handgun fire up to a .44 Magnum in calibre while having a minimal impact on the car’s dynamics.

Case in point, the X3 B4 upgrade only adds 180kg to the vehicle’s mass.

The treatment adds patented synthetic armour, which is integrated into all the doors and panels, including the roof and sunroof.

It also adds premium ballistic glass that replaces all of the original equipment manufacturers’ glass while still providing a clear view outside the cabin.

Even though ballistic glass is a lot heavier, the door window motors are still capable of raising and lowering the glass.

The standard tyres are replaced with run-flats, and there’s a new push-to-talk intercom system that lets occupants communicate with those outside without needing to roll down the window or open the door.

Importantly, all of these changes are integrated into the vehicle in such a way that it is indistinguishable from a regular X3.

“This X3 isn’t just another project,” said Michael Broom, Sales and Marketing Manager at Armormax.

“It’s a statement. South Africans deserve to drive what they love- safely, confidently, without compromise. We believe in enabling a lifestyle where protection doesn’t mean limitation.”

“We have already completed four of these vehicles for clients with more orders in the pipeline. We expect it will become a very popular option.”

The conversion is done at Armormax’s facility in Johannesburg, and all the components are supported by a 3-year warranty/

The cost of the armour package is R878,000, including tax, but this doesn’t factor in the base cost of the vehicle.

Prices for the BMW currently range from R1,047,760 for the X3 20, all the way up to R1,545,446 for the X3 M50.

With that in mind, the cost of owning an armoured BMW X3 is anywhere from R1,925,760 to R2,423,446.

Armormax BMW X3