Bulletproof your Jeep
It's no secret that South Africa has a problem with illegal firearms, but there is one that is synonymous with crime in South Africa: the AK-47. This Russian-made assault rifle has been striking fear into the hearts of South Africans since the late 70's. It has become the weapon of choice for criminal gangs that use it for everything from CIT robberies to kidnappings.
Related: SVI launches armoured Land Cruiser Prado
SVI Engineering has stepped up to the plate to give South Africans back their confidence by offering several armoured vehicle products to ensure customer safety. SVI has partnered with Stellatis South Africa to provide customers with a B4+ Armoured Jeep Cherokee that keeps the manufacturer's 5-year/100,000 km warranty intact.
SVI Lite - Affordable Armour Protection
The Armour Package
SVI's bespoke armour package for the five-seater version of the Grand Cherokee offers B4+ protection, meaning it is rated to withstand attacks from handguns and the ubiquitous AK-47 assault rifle. The ballistic package is completely concealed and therefore virtually imperceptible to the untrained eye. Comprising custom-fabricated armoured steel plates, lightweight composite materials and special 32 mm ballistic glass curved to OEM specification, the Jeep-supported B4+ solution for the Grand Cherokee was meticulously developed by SVI's team of highly experienced engineers.
In addition to the concealed body armour (including inside the pillars) and imported ballistic glass, the Grand Cherokee conversion incorporates partial firewall protection and an armoured rear bulkhead – the latter complete with a neatly integrated escape hatch – behind the second row of seats. The various armouring materials add approximately 400 kg to the SUV's total mass. That's no match for the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, which sends generous peak outputs of 210kW and 344Nm to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In addition, the Grand Cherokee's various driver-assistance safety systems – including those that rely on sensors mounted behind the windscreen – remain fully operational. The driver's window, meanwhile, can be lowered approximately one-third of the way down, allowing access to parking-ticket machines and biometric readers.
Cost and Delivery
SVI's Jeep-supported B4+ armouring solution for the Grand Cherokee five-seater starts at R1 236 814.00. The Bashewa-based armouring specialist also offers a standard B4 discreet package for the Grand Cherokee, including the 7-seater "L" model, which provides protection against handguns up to .44 Magnum. Pricing starts at R833 684.
The list of options for each solution includes items such as roof and floor armour, a PA system, and heavy-duty run-flat rings for the tyres. The project build time is set at approximately three months in each case.
You can find more information about SVI and their many products here
