The Toyota Hilux Anti-Riot conversion has been announced by vehicular armour specialists, SVI along with pricing for the range. Its latest offering is based on the single cab body configuration and can carry up to eight people in air-conditioned safety. The rear canopy offers space for six, with riot amenities such as seatbelts, windows with gun ports and air-conditioning, as well as an escape hatch.
The canopy offers ballistic protection against AK47 assault rifle fire ie: B4+, thanks to its armoured steel construction. As for the two occupants up-front, the cabin of the Toyota Hilux Anti-Riot is protected by a B6-grade armouring kit which entails armoured glass, vehicle body armour and roof. Along with this, the Hilux’s suspension is also upgraded in order to handle the significant added weight.
Speaking of weight, the carrying capacity of the Toyota Hilux was exceeded due to the added armour. As such, the Toyota Hilux Anti-Riot had to go through the homologation process once again, something which all vehicles must pass in South Africa. After passing braking, side-slope and visibility tests amongst others at Gerotek Testing facility, the SVI Anti-Riot Toyota Hilux was given the green light. This allows drivers with a standard car license to pilot the converted Hilux, now with a homologated GVM of 3 499 kg.
SVI claims that during one of its first outings in South Africa’s recent week of unrest, the Toyota Hilux Anti-Riot “passed with flying colours”.
SVI notes that clients are welcome to provide their own Hilux for the conversion. Pricing includes installation and a one-year/50 000 km warranty for road use, but excludes VAT. The cabin and the canopy are sold as two separate products.
Established in 2004, SVI is a BEE level 2 company providing Africa with armoured products to be used in myriad applications, be it corporate, security, individual, mining or governmental.
Pricing (excluding VAT and donor car):
B6 Stopgun cabin armour – R 223 000
B4+ riot-control canopy – R271 000
Previous conversions from SVI include the bulletproof 190 kW Volkswagen Amarok and the Max3 Toyota Land Cruiser.
