Richard Hammond made the original Marauder a worldwide sensation, but now it's back and better than ever.
If you think you're invincible behind the wheel of your Mercedes-Benz G-Class, you're simply mistaken. While the German giant is one of the toughest road cars money can buy, several armoring experts will build you something even tougher than the Austrian-built brute.
South Africa's Paramount Group has recently revealed the updated Marauder Mark 2. Now, if you're not familiar with the company, it enjoyed a glimmer of fame after Top Gear's Richard Hammond extolled its many virtues in a chaos-filled trip across Johannesburg. Already one of the strongest vehicles in the world, Paramount has set about improving its usability, performance, and even the production methods of the upgraded variant.
Paramount doesn't provide any details (presumably for security reasons) but notes the turbodiesel six-cylinder engine provides the Marauder with a burst speed of 68 mph - not bad for a machine that weighs well over 21,000 lbs.
Despite the immense heft, the company claims the wheeled fortress is capable of traveling around 435 miles before refueling. That should come in handy when you're on the battlefield, and so too should the off-roading capabilities. As seen in the video above, the Marauder makes light work of an off-road course. But its primary function is to protect its occupants, and that's a task the armored vehicle takes rather seriously.
Of course, it's bulletproof. But, importantly, it's able to withstand blasts from landmines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Thanks to the double-skinned monocoque hull and anti-blast seats, soldiers or security personnel can rest in the knowledge that nothing can stop this monster.
Optionally, militaries (or security-conscious customers) can elect to equip the Marauder with day/night vision devices, extra sensors, and even roof-mounted gun turrets - should you need to defend yourself, of course.
In the unlikely event that you find yourself unable to proceed, the Marauder can be airlifted by a C130 or Chinook "with little preparation." Available in left- or right-hand drive, Paramount Group notes the Marauder can be quickly adapted to drive on the other side of the road.
The nifty party trick should come in handy if the vehicle is dispatched to another territory. This unique feature comes courtesy of the universal hull, interchangeable steering components, and dashboard modules. Speaking of different territories, the Marauder should work anywhere in the world, even in the most extreme temperatures. As per the manufacturer, it remains operational from -4 to over 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
"The systems which we have incorporated within the new Marauder 'Mark 2' have made great strides in improving ergonomics, comfort, and functionality", said CEO Deon Grobler.
He added, "the improvements in the Marauder's operator interfaces will increase usability when operating in rugged conditions, while at the same time reducing driver and crew fatigue, making the platform more comfortable and user-friendly, keeping troops safe and battle ready."
Paramount provides no pricing for the new Marauder but based on the extensive list of important clients, it's worth the money. The specialist company notes it has supplied examples to myriad governments across the world, including several African states, and a handful of Asian countries, such as Singapore.
As you would expect, crafting the Marauder isn't quite as simple as building a Toyota Corolla. However, improvements in the production process mean customers will get their hands on the armored vehicle sooner than expected. Should the Marauder exceed your security requirements, perhaps the Inkas Armored Cadillac Escalade or the SVI Engineering Toyota Land Cruiser are better suited to your tastes.
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