Latest Armored BMW X5 Ready To Protect Aussie Police From AK-47 Attacks

May. 26, 2021 1:38 PM ET by Karl Furlong Luxury / 7 Comments

The Australian Federal Police is upgrading its fleet.

If you need an armored car that can fend off an attack, there are a couple of hardcore options to choose from. One of them is the BMW X5 Protection V6 based on the latest G05-generation X5. Revealed back in 2019, it's this bulletproof X5 that is soon set to join the Australian Federal Police's (AFP) fleet. The AFP already uses older X5s to transport VIPs and dignitaries around safely but according to Car Advice, the fleet is aging and in need of an upgrade. An AFP spokesperson said that "... there [are] standard operating procedures relating to armored vehicles that have come to the end of their useful life."

That was about as much comment as could be had from BMW Australia and AFP when asked about the new fleet of armored X5s which isn't too surprising. For security reasons, it makes sense that both parties wouldn't want to reveal any specifics. The AFP has allegedly been using armored BMW X5s for over a decade, following Ford Territory SUVs used previously. As for the vehicle itself, the latest X5 Protection V6 is an impressive piece of kit. It's difficult to tell apart from a regular X5 when its blue emergency lights aren't flashing but again, that's the point. 'VR6' is in reference to the SUV's level of protection that can see the BMW stave off hand gun attacks or long firearms like AK-47s.

The reinforced passenger compartment can protect against "lateral blasts of up to 15 kilograms of TNT from a distance of four meters." That translates to over 33 pounds of TNT and a distance of just over 13 feet. Among the modifications to this X5 are a self-sealing fuel tank, multilayered safety glass, and the use of security steel and fiber composite materials. Power comes from a 4.4-liter V8 with 523 horsepower, the same as that of the X5 M50i. However, the X5 Protection needs a longer 5.9 seconds to reach 62 mph due to its extra weight. For the AFP or any fleet needing an armored vehicle that's also classy, comfortable, and decently quick, there aren't many better choices than this X5.