Australian Federal Police BMW X5s

Motoring Staff - 12/October/2010

Canberra, Australia - The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have taken delivery of five BMW X5 Security Vehicles at a formal handover ceremony in Canberra.

The BMW security cars are the first of their kind to be brought to Australia and will be used by the AFP for the security of foreign and Australian dignitaries.

Based on BMW’s top-selling X5 Sports Activity Vehicle, the BMW X5 Security is powered by a twin-turbo charged V8 petrol engine and features a number of security modifications from armour-plating and bullet-resistant glass to an attack alarm and intercom system.

The BMW X5 Security is certified as class VR4 (vehicle resistance 4) ballistic protection, simply put they are bulletproof.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Stavros Yallouridis said the BMW X5 Security offers enhanced safety without impeding the driving characteristics of the car.

"To be truly safe, you need the flexibility, speed and agility to react to any situation which these unique vehicles can offer," said Mr Yallouridis.

In addition to the armoured ‘survival cell’ and armoured luggage compartment, the car's engine electronics are in an e-box, protected from bullets and shrapnel by pre-shaped aramid parts to ensure the vehicle can remain mobile if under attack.

As part of the sales agreement, AFP drivers have also received specialist Security Driver Training at a purpose-built BMW facility in Berlin.

Unlike many other security vehicles which feature retro-fitted armour-plating, the BMW X5 Security is built to unique specification from the outset in order to accommodate the additional weight and driving characteristics which differ from that of the standard production model.

In response to the additional weight associated with safety modifications, the front suspension and rear air springs are strengthened. The braking system is also adapted to the changed centre of gravity. Even the shock absorbers and wheel bearings are modified to handle the increased strains caused by the extra weight of the car when cornering at speed.

BMW X5 Security vehicles are manufactured in the United States in parallel with standard production models at BMW's South Carolina Spartanburg plant, with protective features then completed at BMW's assembly facility in Toluca, Mexico.

The BMW X5 Security also carries all the active and passive safety features of BMW’s award-winning production model X5 such as Rear and Top View cameras, Dynamic Stability Control and Adaptive Headlights which turn the headlight beams in accordance with the steering wheel.

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