SVI Engineering, leading specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, has developed a new discreet armouring package specifically for the latest-generation Volkswagen Amarok, handing the locally built double-cab bakkie inconspicuous level B6 protection.
Representing the highest grade of civilian-vehicle armour available in South Africa without a special permit, the concealed B6 package affords occupants of the second-generation Amarok protection against assault rifles, including AK47, R5 and R1.
“Our B6 discreet package for the original V6-powered Amarok – which at the time held the title of South Africa’s most powerful bakkie, boasting as high an output as 190 kW – was a very popular choice among SVI clients. We expect our newly developed package for the locally built, second-generation Amarok to follow in that model’s tyre treads,” said SVI Business Development Director, Nicol Louw.
Armed with vast experience developing bullet-resistant solutions for a wide variety of vehicles, SVI’s engineers furthermore drew on their intricate knowledge of the closely related Ranger – alongside which the Amarok is built at Ford’s Silverton factory in Pretoria – to formulate this bespoke solution for VW’s bakkie. As a reminder, SVI has Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) status with the Dearborn-based automaker and is thus a Ford-accredited vehicle converter.
B6 DISCREET PACKAGE FOR NEW AMAROK
As is the case with the Ranger, the Amarok’s comprehensive 360-degree B6 armouring package comprises 38 mm armoured glass curved to OEM specification, along with high-grade armoured steel plates precisely cut and bonded in specific areas. Full firewall and footwell protection is included, while careful overlapping of materials serves to minimalise ballistic gaps.
The entire passenger cell boasts coverage, including all pillars, all doors and all windows, while critical under-bonnet components (such as the battery and ABS unit) are also protected. Furthermore, in order to counteract the weight of the various armouring components, the Amarok’s suspension is suitably upgraded.
To the untrained eye, the bullet-resistant package is almost impossible to detect, allowing private individuals to fly under the radar while still enjoying full B6 protection. The armouring solution is available across the Amarok’s broad powertrain line-up, though in this instance has been applied to the flagship 184 kW/600 Nm 3.0TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion derivative.
COST AND BUILD TIME
SVI’s class-leading 360-degree B6 discreet armouring solution for the Volkswagen Amarok double cab is priced from R825 681 (excluding VAT), while the build time comes in at approximately three months. The list of options includes items such as B6 roof armour, B6 floor armour and heavy-duty runflat rings.
A B4 discreet solution, which provides protection against handguns (up to .44 Magnum), is also available for the latest Amarok double cab, priced from R545 121 (excluding VAT). In addition, the Bashewa-based company is developing cost-effective B6 Stopgun V3.0 kits for single-cab and lower-spec double-cab versions of the Amarok, with these upcoming solutions to be pitched at the security industry.
VW Amarok DC 360-degree B4 armour – R545 121 (ex VAT)
VW Amarok DC 360-degree B6 armour – R825 681 (ex VAT)
THE COMPANY
SVI is an original equipment manufacturer that has specialised in armoured vehicles since 2004. The company is a market leader in Africa, serving the private, corporate, security, mining and governmental segments. SVI holds a Level 2 B-BBEE certification and its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Rheinland.
