Small South African town buys massive armoured cars at R1.8 million each

The small harbour town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape has just purchased two new armoured vehicles from Gauteng-based SVI Engineering.

SVI specialises in military-grade vehicles and armour solutions for some of South Africa’s most popular cars, including the Ford Ranger and Toyota Land Cruiser.

The new vehicles, known as the Max 3, were valued at R1.8 million each (excl. VAT) when they initially launched in May 2021, however, the price paid by the Western Cape municipality has not been revealed.

They will now join the ranks of the Mossel Bay authorities’ crime-fighting fleet, providing protection against the numerous threats that law enforcement officers come into contact with.

Ultimate protection

The Max 3 is based on a Toyota Land Cruiser 79’s chassis, but the hull is entirely new – having been built from ballistic materials to ensure occupant safety against projectile attacks and blast damage.

“The Max 3 has been developed to give security forces the required equipment to deal with violent crime, terrorism, violent demonstrations, and regional conflicts,” said its makers.

SVI offers multiple versions of the Max 3, including single cabs and double cabs, as well as a six-wheeler option with a third axle, but the Mossel Bay authorities will be using the eight-seater personnel carrier model known as the Troopy.

Since the Max 3 is based on a commercial vehicle, no special licence is required to operate it, and it can even be serviced at a Toyota dealership if need be.

The vehicles are certified at a B6 armour grade which means they can withstand fire from assault rifles such as an AK47, and also provide protection against anti-personnel grenades.

This is achieved through the use of a steel structure fitted with armoured plates and ballistic glass, which adds 2,000kg to the vehicle, necessitating the replacement of the standard suspension, wheels and tyres.

The 4.5-litre, V8, turbo-diesel Toyota engine, on the other hand, remains unchanged, with its output of 151kW and 430Nm proving to be more than adequate to move the overweight SUV, said the company.