What it costs to make the new Toyota Hilux bulletproof in South Africa

It is now possible to buy a next-generation Hilux capable of stopping bullets fired by an AK47 in South Africa.

This new option was developed by SVI Engineering, a local company based in Gauteng that specialises in creating protection packages for some of South Africa’s most popular cars.

The ninth-generation Hilux made its debut earlier this year, and SVI has now completed an armour solution for the bakkie that can protect occupants from various firearms.

The company acquired a double-cab in the 2.8GD-6 Legend 4×4 guise and set about designing a discrete armour package that provides 360-degree protection without fundamentally altering the pickup’s appearance or performance.

With the development phase completed, SVI is now offering three different packages that provide varying levels of protection.

The cheapest option is the B2 package, which only covers selected closures and is rated to stop 9mm handgun rounds.

Next up is the B4 package, which can defend against shots fired by a .44 Magnum. However, the most comprehensive solution is the B6, which protects against assault rifle fire.

The cost of each of these options is as follows:

• Toyota Hilux Double Cab B2 LITE partial armour – R74,950 (ex VAT) per closure
• Toyota Hilux Double Cab B4 discreet armour – R624,054 (ex VAT)
• Toyota Hilux Double Cab B6 discreet armour – R945,239 (ex VAT)

Bear in mind that this doesn’t include the cost of the vehicle itself. The cheapest next-gen Hilux SRX double-cab costs R665,300, so the minimum you can expect to pay for some armoured protection is R740,250 (excluding the VAT on the B2 package).

On the other hand, the Legend 4×4 asks for R1,001,900, so installing the full B6 package would raise the total price past R1,947,139.

The B6 armouring process makes extensive use of custom-fabricated steel plates, composite materials, and 38mm ballistic glass.

SVI has also applied ballistic overlaps to all door apertures, side windows, and even the windscreen.

“Since the high-grade ballistic steel panels are precisely cut and bonded to the inside of the passenger cell’s sheet-metal areas, the bakkie’s appearance remains virtually indistinguishable from that of a standard model,” said the company.

“The driver’s window can be lowered by around 150 mm, with high-durability, purpose-manufactured actuators replacing the original winding system. A suspension upgrade and uprated door hinges are also included as standard.”

The added weight of the modifications is still within the bounds of the bakkie’s payload capacity, meaning the armour has not impacted its performance.

The Hilux is equipped with a 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which produces a total of 150kW and 500Nm.

Optional extras include roof armour, floor armour and imported heavy-duty runflat rings for the tyres.

SVI Toyota Hilux