Whether you’re a head of state or a successful businessman looking to buy some peace of mind on your travels, armored cars are useful and provide mobility and security in one package.
The idea of reinforced civilian cars has been around for a long time, even dating back to World War II, when Roosevelt drove around a ’42 Lincoln Armored Town Car. Protection can vary from simple glass bulletproof to complete bomb protection and even resistance to chemical attacks. Some cars even have gas tanks or self-sealing tires that can run a marathon while flat.
Of course, these are not cheap, like a decent armored sedan or SUV can reset customers at least six digits. Put on your bulletproof vest and whip out a blank check to see the 10 most expensive armored vehicles in the world.
10 BMW 7 Series High Security: $350,000
The choice of successful businessmen, corporate executives and start-up politicians around the world, the BMW 7 Series high-security lineup offers customizable options, from bulletproof windows to tires that can put any passenger out of danger.
The most common model on offer is the BMW 760Li, and customers can choose between a V8 and a V12 to get them to safety. With the vehicle meeting ballistic protection standards VR7 to VR9, passengers are safe from high-caliber M16 and AK-47 rounds. The car is available for as little as $350,000 and is backed by BMW’s Munich-based BMW 7 Series high-security specialist team.
9 Maybach 62S – $352,000
If you’re looking for more space on nearly the same budget, Swiss armor company Rijck took a Maybach 62S and turned it into a mobile pillbox. Even Charlie Sheen owned one of these armored beasts.
The windows are built to take a sniper round from near-point-blank range, and the 5980cc AMG V12 Biturbo produces 620 horses to clear anyone out of an unsafe situation. Priced at least $352,000, the Ricjk-armored Maybach 62S is the perfect fit for high-profile individuals looking for more space and comfort in their travels.
8 Bentley Mulsanne – $400,000
Made by the same people who make cars for the royal family, the Bentley Mulsanne offers a luxury experience behind its bulletproof windows and bombproof doors. If your attacker is an enemy of the state, the car is also capable of defending its occupants from both fire and chemical attacks.
A twin-turbocharged 6.7L engine produces 505 hp to get any VIP from 0-60 in less than five seconds. With an almost handcrafted approach to its construction, the armor is attached during the initial stages of production to ensure proper fit and integration with the car.
7 Popemobile: $400,000
Being the head of the Catholic Church can put a big target on your back, which means the Pope travels in his iconic “Popemobile” during convoys and parades. Last seen during the tenure of Pope Benedict XVI, the Popemobile is a converted M-Class Mercedes that contains the Pope’s compartment and features armored side panels along with an armored undercarriage.
While it can’t exactly be bought, the Popemobile costs $400,000 and comes with bulletproof glass and a separate oxygen supply for the Pope, in case of a repeat of the St. John Paul II incident. These days, Pope Francis has chosen to use simpler cars such as the Ford Focus and a Fiat 500L.
6 Huron APC: $485,000
If you’re looking for an armored car to carry your entourage, Inkas Armored built the Huron, a 16-seat armored personnel carrier (APC) capable of handling 7.62mm rounds and hand grenades. The Huron APC features an electronic night vision system, a heavy-duty electronic winch, and even an escape hatch, among other things.
Despite its imposing character, the Huron is maneuverable and light for its size thanks to its 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine. With the option to add a machine gun on the roof, the APC Huron starts at $485,000 and is marketed to security agencies and government bodies looking to add more protection to their fleet.
5 Audi A8 L Security: $700,000
Appearances can be deceiving, as is the case with the Audi A8 L Security. On the surface, it looks like a stock Audi A8, but beneath the facade of unmatched comfort are layers of titanium, Kevlar and steel. The Audi A8 L Security is filled to the brim with B7 armor, the best armor available on the market, as well as self-sealing gas tanks that mitigate punctures.
The car even has a fire extinguishing system under the hood to fight any flames. While the windows are made of layers of polycarbonate to prevent them from shattering during an explosion, a switch destroys the windshield to allow escape in the worst case scenario.
Capable of withstanding high-powered rounds and chemical attacks and powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the Audi A8 L Security will set potential owners back at least $700,000 and is officially used by the German government.
4 Incas Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG – $1.2 million
Another Inkas entry is the iconic Mercedes G63 AMG or the G-Wagon, converted into a mobile mini bunker. The construction includes surveillance cameras and additional safety enhancements such as ballistic protection, gas tank protection and explosion resistance, all without compromising passenger comfort.
The cabin is fully enclosed with armored protection, while the driver can use the car’s reinforced suspension and flat-running devices to bring the car to safety. An option to add fire suppression is available along with a light armor package to add more agility to the car.
The base Mercedes G63 AMG already costs more than $150,000, adding the Inkas work raises the price to $1.2 million, making this model the choice of celebrities, politicians and businessmen from the East medium
3 Mercedes S600 Pullman: $1.4 million
From A-listers to tin-pot dictators, the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman state limousine has brought notable figures into its heavily armored passenger compartment. The armor placed on this car can withstand short-range sniper fire, high-velocity projectiles, and even rocket-propelled grenades.
The Mercedes S600 Pullman has been seen in use by many heads of state, most notably North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
Despite being a bunker on wheels, its twin-turbo 5.5-liter V12 produces 517 hp and gets the vehicle out of difficult situations in four seconds. The car even displays its near-indestructible properties in the film The fate of the furious, being chased by a horde of cars.
2 Cadillac One “The Beast” – $1.47 million
When you are the President of the United States, you have many enemies and people who pose a threat to your security. Only the Presidential Cadillac One, called “The Beast,” meets these requirements, being able to withstand even bomb blasts thanks to its eight-inch-thick armor plates and specialized 5-inch-thick glass. The car also carries its own oxygen supply against chemical attacks and a blood bank that matches the president’s blood type.
While most details are classified, what the public does know is that the doors and windows are protected by at least eight inches of bulletproof material. The eight-ton, 18-foot beast is powered by a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine that generates 300 hp. The Beast also has active defense measures like a Bond car, including oil slicks, smoke screens and bomb-action shotguns that deter attacks from the rear, as well as tear gas launchers and slashing rockets a path for The Beast to plow.
1 Dartz Kombat T98 SUV: $1.5 million
At the top of the list is a Russian luxury armored vehicle made by Dartz called the Kombat T98 SUV. While it can deflect rifle rounds and even RPGs, the luxurious interior sets the Kombat T98 apart from others on this list. Whale skin, gold plates and diamond inlays are some of the exotic and decadent features of its interior.
The T98 Kombat comes in two versions, which are the VIP and the Utility. The VIP features a double monocoque steel body and the highest level of composite armor. With a General Motors 8.1L Vortec diesel V8 pushing this behemoth down the road, the Kombat T98 has a higher price tag of $1.5 million for potential buyers.
