South Africans interested in getting to their destination as quickly and safely as possible can now buy a Ford Ranger Raptor complete with bulletproof protection.
The beefed-up bakkie is the latest project to come from SVI Engineering, a local company based in Gauteng that specializes in armouring the country’s most popular vehicles for both corporate and private clients.
The cost of fortifying the Raptor (excluding the vehicle’s own R1,226,700 price tag) is set at R545,121 before VAT, and the service can be ordered directly from any Ford dealership in South Africa.
Additionally, since SVI is recognized as a Qualified Vehicle Modifier by the Blue Oval, the modifications will not compromise the Ranger’s standard 4-year/120,000km warranty or any optional service or maintenance plans purchased by the owner.
A tool for crime prevention
The armoured Ford is primarily designed as a rapid-response vehicle for security firms, which shouldn’t come as a big surprise given that the Raptor is equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.
The V6 engine pumps out an impressive total of 292kW and 583Nm, which allows the double cab to keep up with the likes of hot hatchbacks with a 0-100km/h time of less than 6.0 seconds.
Its underpinnings as a capable 4×4 also make it a useful tool in situations where response teams may need to go off-road, according to SVI.
The Raptor’s armour is rated at a B4 level, which refers to the calibre of weapon that it protects against, as B4 protection will shield occupants from all handgun fire up to a .44 Magnum.
To achieve this level of safety, the standard glass is replaced with 21mm-thick panes, while much of the body is reinforced with cut-and-bonded Kevlar sheets.
Armoured steel plates are also employed in more vulnerable areas, such as the pillars, and the powertrain is protected by plates concealed in the front fenders.
Importantly, the modifications do not affect the Ranger’s various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which rely on cameras and sensors placed throughout the body.
The Raptor’s bespoke Fox suspension and dampers are also unaltered, as the weight added by the B4 armour does not exceed what the bakkie is already certified to carry.
“In short, our B4-armoured Raptor is the ultimate go-anywhere rapid-response vehicle, combining high-speed off-road capabilities with confidence-inspiring road manners and, of course, our meticulously engineered bullet-resistant package,” said SVI Business Development Director, Nicol Louw.
Customers can also choose from a selection of add-ons including an armoured roof, heavy-duty run-flat rings for the tyres, a siren, flashing lights, and a PA system for communicating without opening the windows or doors.
SVI Ford Ranger Raptor
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