BMW has just revealed a new i7 that is capable of stopping rounds fired by an assault rifle, making it the world’s first all-electric armoured luxury sedan.
The new i7 is the latest product to come from the Munich-based automaker’s Protection team, its in-house armour division that has been making bulletproof versions of select models for more than 45 years.
The electric sedan is currently exclusive to European markets, and deliveries are expected to take place from December 2023.
Peace of mind
The electric BMW has received a new model-specific, self-supporting body made out of armoured steel alloys, also known as BMW’s “Protection Core,” which it claims is a world-first for armoured cars.
This new frame is necessary as both an additional safety layer and as a supporting structure for the heavier body panels.
This is then combined with additional underbody and roof armour, as well as bulletproof safety glass, while the main panels, like the door frames, are reinforced with steel plates.
These additions are made to the i7 during construction which, according to BMW, results in more effective protection than a retrofitted job on a standard car done by an aftermarket company.
The result is that luxury car is now certified at a VR9 armour protection level, one of the highest levels of civilian vehicle armour grades recognized in Germany.
Consequently, the BMW can shrug off rounds fired by all handguns, as well as rifles ranging up to 7.62×54 R in calibre.
Furthermore, the carmaker has fitted run-flat tyres that can still travel at 80km/h when shot, and the underbody and roof armour is certified to protect from explosive attacks such as a fragmentation grenade, or even a drone equipped with a detonating charge.
All of this has been verified by third-party inspection teams who have conducted firearm and explosive tests on the vehicle, said the company.
Customers will also have the option to spring for accessories like an automatic fire extinguisher, blue lights, radio receivers, and flag poles – the latter of which highlights the car’s intended use as a diplomatic vehicle.
Performance
BMW has not said how much weight the armouring process has added to the i7, but based on similar protection services offered by companies like SVI, it’s reasonable to assume that the heavier panels have added at least a few hundred kilograms.
The normal model weighs in the region of 2.7 tonnes, so the tougher newcomer likely eclipses an impressive three tonnes.
The automaker also did not reveal how the modifications have affected its range, though as a reference, the standard car can travel for up to 625km before needing a top-up.
What BMW did divulge was the i7’s adjusted performance figures, where we can see that the electric vehicle’s (EV) acceleration has been cut from 4.7 seconds to 9.0 seconds.
It still utilizes a twin-motor setup with a 101.7kWh battery, which delivers 400kW and 745Nm, meaning it can still reach an electronically limited top speed of 160km/h.
Beyond its performance figures, the rest of the vehicle is virtually unchanged, as BMW deliberately wants the armoured model to be as indistinguishable as possible from an ordinary car.
One advantage of the new Core structure is that it has actually resulted in slightly more interior space, but aside from this detail, users will still have access to all the amenities afforded to the luxury vehicle.
This includes things like a panoramic camera system, parking assist, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, four-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 14.9-inch infotainment unit, and Veganza leather-like heated seats.
BMW i7 Protection
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