The South African vehicle armoring specialist SVI introduces an overhauled Land Cruiser 79 Series that the company calls the Max 3. It transforms the already rugged SUV into a rig that can protect the occupants from a bullet.
The Max 3 certainly doesn't look like a
Land Cruiser. There's a massive grille in the front and stacked headlights in
the corners. The body lines are chiseled and include lots of hard creases.
There are suicide doors for easier entry into the protected cabin. SVI offers
the machine in single cab, double cab, or eight-passenger personnel carrier
body configurations. It's available in left- or right-hand drive.
In stock form, the Max 3 offers B6
ballistic protection, which means that it can withstand a 7.62×51mm NATO round
from an assault rifle like the South African military's R1 or an AK47’s 7.62×49
mm bullet. There's 1.5-inch (38-millimeter) thick armored glass and steel
plates for guarding the body.
SVI also offers a version of the Max 3
with B7-grade armor and blast protection. This level means the vehicle can
withstand armor-piercing rounds. In South Africa, having a model with this much
shielding requires getting special permission from the government, and
generally only registered security companies or government agencies can get it.
There's even a full-on military version of the Max 3 that has mounts for a
.50-caliber machine gun and mortars.
To carry the armor, SVI upgrades the stock
Land Cruiser's suspension, including an additional rear anti-roll bar. A new wheel-and-tire
setup is also part of the package. The Toyota's stock engine and drivetrain
power the Max 3. The Max 3 starts at 1.6 million South African rand (US$ 103,053). The company can deliver one within three months of
receiving an order.
