The all-powerful Volkswagen Amarok V6 is now bulletproof
With a power output of 190kW and 580 Nm of torque, the latest Volkswagen Amarok has become a complete beast on and off the road. But what do you do, when you have such a powerful bakkie and you live in one of the most dangerous countries in the world? Well, make it bulletproof too. Thanks to SVI Engineering and a specialist manufacturer of armoured products, the Amarok will now be bulletproof.
The SVI B4 (handgun protection level) armour will also be available on the Amarok, but for clients wanting something a bit more protective, then the heavily protective B6 which can stop bullets from an AK47 will be your recommended choice. How it works is that the interior will be stripped to the bare metal and will then be meticulously built up as an armoured unit. These special steel armoured plates and composite materials are used for the body while a 38 mm thick armoured glass will replace the original one. The suspension will also get upgraded to cope with the 650 kg additional mass. This process can take around 12 weeks to complete with the result being truly remarkable as the vehicle will appear completely standard, inside, and out.
Pricing for this B6 conversion will start at R655 000 excluding VAT before options and will come standard with an SVI warranty of 1-year/50 000km.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: How much does it cost to make a Volkswagen Amarok bulletproof in South Africa?
The B6 bulletproof conversion for the Amarok starts at R655,000 excluding VAT, which can stop AK47 bullets, while the basic B4 handgun protection level is also available at a lower price point.
Q: How long does the bulletproof conversion take for the Amarok?
The complete bulletproof conversion process takes around 12 weeks to complete, during which the interior is stripped to bare metal and rebuilt with armoured steel plates and 38mm thick armoured glass.
Q: What power does the Volkswagen Amarok V6 produce?
The latest Volkswagen Amarok V6 produces 190kW of power and 580Nm of torque, making it a complete beast both on and off the road.
Q: Does the bulletproof Amarok look different from a standard one?
No, the bulletproof Amarok appears completely standard both inside and out, despite having 650kg of additional armoured materials and upgraded suspension to handle the extra weight.
Q: What warranty comes with the bulletproof Amarok conversion?
SVI Engineering provides a 1-year/50,000km warranty on their bulletproof conversion work for the Amarok.
Should You Buy It?
The bulletproof Volkswagen Amarok is definitely worth considering if you're living in high-risk areas and need serious protection with your daily bakkie. At R655,000 excluding VAT for the B6 conversion plus the cost of the base Amarok, you're looking at well over R1 million for the complete package, but you get AK47-level protection that looks completely standard. This isn't for your average braai run to Woolies, but if personal security is a genuine concern and you have the budget, the armoured Amarok delivers unmatched peace of mind with proper bakkie capability. For most South Africans though, the standard Amarok's 190kW and 580Nm will be more than enough excitement without the bulletproof premium.
