Armored vehicles
are usually large luxury sedans or SUVs which are about as much fun to drive as
a school bus. AddArmor is trying to fix that by unveiling what they’re claiming
is the world’s fastest armored car. Boasting a top speed of 325 km/h,
the armored vehicle is based on an Audi RS7 Sportback which has been tuned by
APR.
Starting under the
hood, the model has been equipped with an APR Plus Stage II system which
enables the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine to produce 760 hp and 1,085 Nm of torque. This allows the car to rocket from 0-96 km/h in just 2.9 seconds.
AddArmor didn’t
want to spoil the impressive performance, so they used polycarbonate weave
cocooning which is 10 times stronger than ballistic steel despite weighing 60%
less. The company also installed special windows which are a “multi-layer
mixture of polycarbonate and ballistic glass.”
The armoring added
less than 91 kg of weight to the vehicle and provides occupants with
European B4 levels of protection. This enables the car to protect people from
small arms fire including rounds from a .44 Magnum.
While AddArmor
could have stopped there, they didn’t as they also added an assortment of
countermeasures that would make Q proud. Highlights include pepper spray
dispensers, a custom smokescreen system and a “sonic sound cannon.” The model
also has aircraft-inspired blinding lights, run-flat tires and electric shock
door handles which deliver a jolt similar to a high-powered taser gun.
The car also sports
a mine/explosion detection system, a 360° night vision camera system and an
“overpressure gas detection unit with onboard gas masks and air tanks to supply
filtered fresh breathing air.”
Should things
really go south, the model’s front barrier bumper can be used to ram obstacles
while still protecting the radiator. Should all else fail, there’s biometric
gun racks in the boot which can hold pistols and assault guns. If you have to
break those out, you’ll be glad to know the car’s Global 911 concierge service
will have likely been alerted to your predicament.
The armored RS7 is
currently available and it costs US$ 205,000. That’s US$ 91,100 more than the standard model, but the company says packages
start at just US$ 28,000.
