Bulletproof BMW 7 Series now available in South Africa – Ready to stop a machine gun

The bullet-resistant BMW 7 Series Protection is officially available in South Africa following its launch in Germany in August 2023.

The sedan is completely built in-house at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany and meets “all the requirements of class VR9 protection without any limitations”, meaning it can withstand fire from calibre 7.62×54 R ammunition which is the highest civilian resistance class under German regulations.

The 7 Series Protection can now be ordered directly from BMW South Africa, but its starting price will only be revealed to those deemed worthy.

TopAuto reached out to the domestic subsidiary to uncover the cost of the armoured sedan, to which it replied: “The 7 Series Protection is POA [price on application], only.”

The Protection is based on the 760i xDrive but this particular specification is not available in the domestic market, as we only get the 740i, 740d xDrive, and M760e xDrive.

For reference, the 7 Series range is priced from R2.28 million to R3.09 million in South Africa, so expect the Protection to be somewhere north of the R3-million mark.

Bulletproof BMW

The protection process applied to the 7 Series was devised during the vehicle’s initial development phase and is therefore much more effective than packages that are retrofitted after production, states BMW.

This is courtesy of the unique “BMW Protection Core” which sees the entire supporting structure for the 7 Series Protection constructed from armoured steel for the first time.

This is combined with specially designed protection-spec doors and safety glass, as well as explosive-resistant underbody and roof armouring.

“This means the occupants are also protected from drone attacks with explosive charges, for example, and from fragments dispersed by hand grenades on detonation,” said the automaker.

Powering the large armoured BMW is a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 powerplant with 48V mild-hybrid technologies generating a peak output of 390kW and 750Nm, which propels it to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 210km/h.

The xDrive all-wheel-drive system with rear-wheel steering is equipped as standard for ultimate traction and manoeuvrability, and the chassis benefits from model-specific tuning that caters for the additional weight of the armouring elements.

It rides on 20-inch light-alloy wheels that enable the use of a “particularly powerful” braking system capable of bringing the heavy four-door to a halt in short distances.

The rims are wrapped in specially developed Michelin tyres with an extremely high volume of air to enhance ride comfort and a large contact area for improved grip and driving stability.

Runflat rings are also positioned inside the tyres, allowing the car to continue its journey at up to 80km/h even in the event of a total loss of pressure.

Furthermore, the stately sedan features a self-sealing fuel tank with a special casing that enables it to seal itself after being hit by a bullet to prevent any loss of fuel.

These protective fitments are almost entirely discreet meaning it’s nearly impossible to distinguish the Protection model from the standard 7 Series, and their innovative packaging ensures that cabin space remains unencumbered.

Being BMW’s flagship vehicle, the bullet-resistant 7 Series comes with an abundance of creature comforts including multifunction electric seats with heating and ventilation in both rows, Merino leather upholstery, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound, and an integrated cool box between the rear seats.

Safety and assistance systems encompass a 360-degree camera system, the Drive Recorder, the Parking Assistant Plus package, front-collision warning, crossroads warning, lane-departure warning, and speed limit info.

The cabin also incorporates several protective features such as a fresh-air supply system, a fire extinguisher with automatic and manual discharge options, and an intercom system allowing occupants to communicate with people on the outside without having to open their doors or windows.

This is on top of electrically operated roller sunblinds for the side windows and a model-specific roller sunblind for the one at the rear.

In addition, the 7 Series Protection provides motorised assistance for opening and closing the heavy armoured doors, which has the added benefit of enabling occupants to close the doors automatically at the push of a button after climbing in.

In South Africa, the bullet-resistant BMW is offered in Black Sapphire metallic paintwork with its optional extras closely aligned to that of the standard car to maintain a low-profile presence in public areas, said the automaker.

BMW 7 Series Protection