BMW 7 Series and i7 Ready to Withstand Explosives

Car driving safety is always crucial, and the BMW 7 Series and i7 are ready to withstand explosives. Yes, you read it right. These flagship sedans come in armored forms, stronger than ever. They have glass that offers protection, a more durable chassis, and a bodywork that can withstand explosives.

BMW combines the elegance of a premium sedan with the body of a tank. The 7 Series and the i7 now deserve the Protection label. The i7 is the first protection electric sedan to enter production, before Mercedes-Benz’s EQS.

The 7 Series and the i7 have a steel body dubbed the BMW Protection Core, which reinforces the doors, roof, and underbody. BMW says they offer “maximum protection” from bullets, explosives, drones, and grenades.

Instead of the regular glass, the 7 Series and i7 Protection have protective glass with VPAM 10 rating – the top level of security for civilian cars. They also boast VR9 rating, which means they can resist bullets flying at up to 820 m/s.

Their fuel tanks can seal themselves to prevent leakage if the car is attacked. Additionally, they have PAS 300 rating, which means they can survive explosions. Riding on special 20-inch PAX light alloy wheels, these machines have tires that can keep running at up to 50 mph even without air.

Of course, the vehicles are much heavier. That’s because of all the protection features, so we can’t expect much performance. The 7 Series is equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 mild-hybrid engine with 522 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It can clear zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. But with the extra weight, it takes 6.6 seconds to do the same. If maxed out, the car will reach 130 mph.

The i7 Protection, meanwhile, packs a more complex system with two motors and all-wheel drive. It has 546 hp and 549 lb-ft of torque. Used to go from zero to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds, now it needs 9.0 seconds due to the added mass. It also has a lower top speed of 99 mph.

BMW has a driver training program for those who have to drive these cars with extra weight and less speed. The company teaches them how to operate the 7 Series and i7 effectively.

The machines sport a black color on the outside. They also feature blue police lights on the top and inside the back window. There are radio receivers and flag poles for official visits, as well as a system that brings fresh air inside in case there’s a chemical attack. A rod microphone makes it easier to talk to people outside without opening the windows.

These Protection cars will go public next month at the 2023 IAA Mobility international motor show in Munich. BMW is set to produce the vehicles in Dingolfing, Germany, before delivering them in December.