BMW X5 Protection VR6 upgraded

BMW has a rich history of offering unassuming-looking premium vehicles that are actually armoured and able to withstand gunfire, making them perfect for dignitaries, celebrities and anyone else who feels they might have a target on their back.

Continuing the tradition, the Bavarian brand has just rolled out the upgraded 2023 BMW X5 Protection VR6, the armoured version of the newly facelifted BMW X5 M50i.

‘VR6’ refers the refers to the level of armoured protection on offer and BMW claims this new model can withstand rounds from a variety of pistols and rifles, not to mention being blast-resistant.

No changes have been made to the X5 Protection’s armour as part of the update, though there have been a few styling and specification upgrades as per the facelifted BMW X5 line-up revealed for the public back in February.

The design updates extend to a sharpened front bumper, revised rear-end styling, new alloy wheels and M-spec wing mirrors, while inside the cabin you’ll find BMW’s latest Curved Display screen and matching dash layout.

Standard equipment highlights also largely match that of the standard M50i, meaning there’s four-zone climate control, Sensafin trim, M Sport seats, ambient lighting, a hi-fi speaker system and soft-close doors.

Hiding under the bonnet is a 390kW/750Nm twin-turbo petrol V8, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system, which should make light work of a rapid evacuation procedure.

Zero-100km/h acceleration takes just 5.9 seconds (claimed), which nevertheless makes it 1.6sec slower than the standard X5 M50i on account of the amour’s extra heft, while the top-speed is capped at 210km/h.

Weight is also an adversary of dynamics, which is why the X5 Protection VR6 rides on a bespoke chassis and suspension tune comprising adaptive dampers, M Sport brakes, M Sport rear differential, Integral Active Steering, rear axle steering and an active roll-stabilisation system.

“The new BMW X5 Protection VR6 has an outstanding skillset as a single vehicle for at-risk individuals,” BMW said.

“And it is also ideally suited to the role of support vehicle alongside the new protection vehicles based on the BMW 7 Series.

“Deliveries of the new model will get underway in February 2024.”

The first public appearance of the new armoured X5 will be at the IAA Mobility exhibition in Munich next week, when the X5 VR6 will debut alongside the all-new 7 Series Protection and i7 Protection armoured limousines.

Australia has long favoured armoured BMWs as official transporters of high-profile dignitaries, with the AFP understood to have a fleet of them on standby in every capital city, meaning there’s a good chance the X5 and/or both of its limo counterparts could soon be deployed locally.

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