Armoured Ford Everest goes on sale in South Africa – Pricing and specifications

SVI Engineering has unveiled its latest product in the form of the Ford Everest, which can now stop a bullet from an assault rifle.

The Gauteng-based company specializes in armouring South Africa’s most popular vehicles, which are available to both corporate and private clients.

The minimum cost of fortifying a Ford Everest is set at R725,684 (excluding VAT), though it must be noted that this does not include the car itself, which must be purchased separately.

Safest way to travel

SVI has already developed a similar protection package for the Everest’s twin – the Ford Ranger bakkie – which made the construction process for the ladder-frame SUV much simpler.

“Considering the ongoing success of our partnership with Ford to provide factory-backed armour across the Ranger line-up – first with the previous-generation bakkie and now with the current model – it made perfect sense to extend our offering to the versatile and highly capable Everest range,” said SVI Business Development Director, Nicol Louw.

The armourer offers two different levels of protection, starting with the B4 grade, which is certified to halt projectiles from all handguns up to a .44 Magnum, making it well-suited for hijacking situations.

The B4 package includes 21mm glass for the windows curved to the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) specifications, cut-and-bonded Kevlar sheets throughout the body, and armoured steel plates built into the smaller and more vulnerable areas.

As a result, the entire passenger cell of the seven-seater is protected, up to and including the tailgate.

The lightweight approach to the design means that its impact on performance, such as acceleration and fuel consumption, is negligible.

Upgrading to the B6 package then allows the Ford to tank shots fired from assault rifles including an AK47, R1, and R5, making it the highest level of armour protection available to civilians without a special permit.

This is achieved through 38mm ballistic glass, additional armour plating, and a rear bulkhead behind the second row of seats with its own escape hatch.

This time around, the additions are heavy enough that the suspension needs to be upgraded, and the door hinges reinforced to hold up the bulkier plates.

All of the SUV’s driver assistance functions that rely on sensors mounted behind the windscreen remain fully operational, said Louw.

The cost of each of these armour packages is listed below:

Ford Everest 360-degree B4 discreet armour – R725,684 (ex VAT)
Ford Everest 360-degree B6 discreet armour – R928,534 (ex VAT)

This does not include the cost of the vehicle itself, which is as follows:

Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo XLT – R904,200
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo 4×4 XLT – R978,000
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo Sport – R989,900
Ford Everest 2.0 BiTurbo 4×4 Sport – R1,068,800
Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Wildtrak – R1,180,200
Ford Everest 3.0TD V6 4WD Platinum – R1,240,600

Importantly, SVI’s services are approved by Ford, which allows customers to order the discreet protection when purchasing their Everest from any accredited dealership.

Additionally, the manufacturer’s standard 4-year/120,000km warranty and optional service or maintenance plans are not compromised by the modifications.