BMW's Electric, Armored i7
BMW's 1st All-Electric, Armored i7
Source: BMW
Bringing New Levels of Sustainable Security to BMW
Perhaps it's a sign of our turbulent times. German luxury automaker BMW is building an electrified armored version of its classic flagship vehicle, the BMW i7. It will offer blast and bullet protection. For BMW, this electric bullet-proof vehicle is a first. The EVs will roll out in 2023. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse says the EVs will demonstrate "how sustainability and security can go hand in hand". CEO Zipse adds that it will have a new and innovative protection shield.
Tech Specs
The balancing act to create a fortified vehicle that isn't too heavy is not easy. The i7xDrive60 has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive power system that pumps out 536 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and can drive 300 miles on a single charge. For BMW the challenge is maintaining those tech stats while adding the weight of armor to fortify the vehicle. Besides fortifying the body of the car, the undercarriage of the EV will need armoring to protect the battery pack from punctures, blasts and fires. The i7 currently weighs 5900 pounds. Armoring could bring it to 9,000 pounds which could undercut the expected 300-mile range. For BMW, it will require quite an engineering feat to create an environmentally friendly, very green armored car. But CEO Zipse is confident that they can do it and promises delivery next year.
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