Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa says customers can now order OEM-approved armoured Ranger bakkies from its dealerships nationwide.
The Blue Oval brand has partnered with SVI Engineering, a Pretoria-based vehicle-armouring firm, to bring the option to local customers.
SVI offers two levels of “Ford-approved” armoured protection for the popular bakkie, available across the whole Ranger line-up (so, all three body configurations and all powertrains). The company says the armour protection has been “specifically designed with the overall dynamics, quality and in-car technology” of the Ranger in mind.
B4 level offers customers bullet-resistant protection against handguns up to a .44 Magnum. SVI describes this as the “typical anti-hijack solution” that also offers protection against brick-throwing and “other hand-held projectiles”. The protection comprises 18-21 mm armoured glass in combination with Kevlar sheets for the body. SVI claims the package adds 280 kg to a double-cab Ranger, with “minimal impact” on acceleration, fuel consumption and dynamics.
According to SVI, B6 is the highest level of civilian protection allowed without a special permit and has been designed for the “valuables-in-transit industry” as well as high-profile individuals who require particularly effective protection. This armouring protects against the ammunition fired by the R1 assault rifle and the AK47. This comes thanks to 38 mm armoured glass and special armoured steel plates. Since it adds some 650 kg, the Ranger’s suspension is upgraded accordingly.
SVI offers the B6 armour protection package with either a “discreet” appearance or a more “cost-effective, non-discreet” option (called Stopgun V2.0). The discreet option takes 12 weeks to build, while the Stopgun security option can be installed in two weeks. B4 is available only in the discreet form (with a build time of around eight weeks).
B4 and B6 armour protection covers all glazing, pillars (A, B and C) and doors, as well as the firewall, the rear of the cabin, the front fenders (to protect engine components), the battery and the ABS unit.
Additional “Ford-approved” armouring options for the Ranger include roof armouring, floor armouring, bullbar and ballistic grille, a run-flat ring system for the tyres and a public announcement system.
A one-year/50 000 km warranty on the armouring components from SVI Engineering is included, while Ford’s warranty and service plan remain in place.
Pricing (excluding VAT and purchase price of vehicle):
B6 non-discreet:
R234 413 (single-cab)
R271 163 (super-cab)
R335 202 (double-cab)
B4 discreet:
R338 386 (single-cab)
R454 371 (super-cab)
R454 371 (double-cab)
B6 discreet:
R527 990 (single-cab)
R688 225 (super-cab)
R688 225 (double-cab)
