Volvo Cars released armoured cars for people needing heightened protection.
Volvo Cars released the Volvo XC90 Armoured to provide safe and comfortable travel with a high level of personal protection for its passengers.
“We are proud to be able to offer these armoured cars. With our armoured cars, we can provide vehicles with a high level of personal security for individuals who require heightened protection,” says Stephan Green, Marketing Director at Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.
As the global market for armoured vehicles grows, Volva Cars received requests to develop an armoured XC90. Previously, Volvo has had extensive experience with building police cars, fire engines, and diverse special vehicles with high requirements in terms of function, drivability, and safety.
“The XC90 Armoured (heavy) with VR8* protection rating (VPAM BRV 2009/ERV 2010) enables us to offer a car that provides a high level of protection while retaining the car’s fundamental properties. Potential customers include security services who would use the car to transport high-profile individuals,” says Green.
The armoured car is built on the Inscription version of the Volvo XC90 T6 AWD, manufactured at the Torslanda plant in Sweden. From there it is sent to TRASCO Bremen GmbH in Germany, a company who has specialized for many years in building high-quality vehicles with high-protection ratings.
“Production is classified, with stringent procedures and oversight in place in order to attain the stipulated ballistic requirements,” states Green.
The high-strength steel armour is 10 mm thick, while the glass is up to 50 mm thick. The armour adds approximately 3,086 lbs to the XC90, bringing the total weight of the car up to 9,898 lbs, with five occupants. The car is fitted with uprated suspensions and new brakes to accommodate the new weight. Additionally, the car is a certified VPAM VR8 rating, which means that the car has 360-degree ballistic resistance, as well as explosive resistance.
“Production is carried out with extreme diligence, which is imperative in order to fulfill the exceptionally high requirements placed on this class of security product. We strive to ensure that the car retains its properties despite the extensive armouring. The armour is fitted discreetly to make the car barely distinguishable from a standard XC90. Every customer also has their own unique requirements, which we satisfy by means of customized production,” explains Green.
The Volvo XC90 Armoured (heavy) is available to order now with deliveries as early as the end of 2019.
Volvo Cars also developed another version of the armoured car (light), built on the XC60 T6 AWD Inscription or XC90 T6 AWD Inscription, and are geared towards different clientele than the XC90 Armoured (heavy). These cars are retrofitted in Brazil, where there is a considerable demand for these types of vehicles and substantial experience of building them. Currently, these cars are intended for Latin American and Europe.
However, individuals or companies that require a car with a higher level of protection due to geographical risk or a heightened personal threat can purchase this car, alongside the security services, police, diplomatic corps, and private individuals’ market.
Sales of these cars begin during the first half of 2020.
