You can now buy a next-generation Ford Ranger Raptor in South Africa that is capable of withstanding gunshots from the likes of an AK47.
The new product comes from Armormax, a local company that specializes in creating armoured versions of popular cars on the market.
Armormax has developed armoured Ford Rangers in the past, but the company took a new approach to design for the new generation of bakkies.
Given that bullet-resistant vehicles generally appeal to a more luxury-oriented clientele, the firm started at the top by using the new Raptor as the base model, before extending the treatment to the entire Ranger line-up.
The pricing for the Ford Ranger armour packages, which are applicable to all 24 models in the range, is as follows:
- Ford Ranger B4 armour – R782,000 (incl. VAT)
- Ford Ranger B6 armour – R1,296,000 (incl. VAT)
This is in addition to the price of the vehicle, which ranges from R464,200 to R1,094,900.
Previous examples of Armormax’s work include the electric Jaguar I-Pace and the first armoured VW Golf GTI in the worldand now the Johannesburg-based business has turned its sights to Ford’s new cycle of bakkies.
Two levels of protection
Civilian-grade vehicle armour is typically offered in two categories – B4 and B6.
B4-grade protection is designed to hold up against handguns up to and including a .44 Magnum round, while B6 armour is able to withstand all small-arms fire, including assault rifles.
The trade-off is that B6 armour is naturally more expensive than its B4 counterpart, and it also adds a lot more weight on account of the additional reinforcements.
The B4 package replaces the windows with ballistic glass featuring steel rebated edges, and the doors and roof are reinforced with lightweight synthetic armour. The A, B, and C pillars are fitted with ballistic steel, and the normal tyres are replaced with run-flat wheels.
The B6 package then adds to this by surrounding crucial vehicle components with a ballistic steel shell. It also adds a synthetic armour layer to the floor and battery, reinforces the front fenders with ballistic steel, and covers the fuel cell with an Armorcote self-sealing treatment.
Both armour levels also include a push-to-talk intercom system for communicating with people outside without needing to open the doors or windows.
