Developed by Skoda UK over the course of three
years, the armored Skoda Superb comes with a sticker price of £ 118,688
(US$ 157,319), about as much as a brand new Porsche Panamera Turbo.
Visually, the car is meant to be indistinguishable from
the standard production Superb, yet unlike its reasonably priced alternative,
the armored car also offers bullet and blast protection for its occupants.
The protection is provided by a combination of
bullet-resistant glass, high strength steel and composite materials, which
thankfully don’t compromise practicality in any way. This Superb Estate is said
to be just as spacious as a regular version, boasting the same cargo volume and
build quality.
In order to achieve its PAS 300 requirements, the
car had to undergo an independent test that involved firing different types of
ammunition, while also being exposed to various “blast and fragmentation
threats”. According to Skoda, the bullet-resistant glass offers 360 degree
protection.
Aside from its 2.0-liter 190 PS TDI diesel engine,
the armored Superb also features upgraded suspension and braking systems,
wheels that can run even if the tires are deflated, and an emergency lighting
and siren system. The suspension and brakes had to be modified in order for the
car to still handle well despite all the added weight.
Last but not least, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen
communication hub with GPS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
