The world of protection vehicles is quite different from the one most people inhabit. But if a person is at the head of a big corporation or even a country with internal political troubles, a protection 4WD is often the best mode of transport. Bullet proof (energy absorbing) glass, Kevlar and carbon-fibre body armour, run-flat tyres are more – these are tools of the trade when driving a high value client.
There are a couple of dozen protection-spec vehicles in New Zealand at any given time, though the manufacturers are discreet about confirming who owns what and where. All the European and most American automakers offer protection vehicles, cars as well and 4WDs.
But it all gets even better when protection vehicles are based on uniquely cool-looking all-terrain vehicles designed to do anything, anywhere, any time.
Meet Rezvani’s Tank.
The Tank is described by its maker as a ‘tactical urban vehicle’ and an antidote to the increasingly samey SUV segment. Its designer aimed to make a modern-day successor to the Hummer, and for sheer in-your-face impact, the aim has been achieved.
There are three types of Tank: a standard version, the V8-powered Tank X, and the protection version, Tank Military Edition.
The standard Tank has a 212kW (285bhp) 3.6-litre V6 driving all four wheels and prices out at $270,000.
Stepping up to Tank X brings a 527kW (707bhp) Dodge Hellcat V8 and a slightly steeper price tag: $465,000.
Tank Military Edition steps down the power a little, 372kW (500bhp) but clads occupants with all that protection goodness: bulletproof and bombproof tech, secure communications, filtered air and a smokescreen function that’s probably not all that legal.
All-wheel-drive is switchable, meaning the Tank can run in all-four mode or just rear wheel drive.
Those wanting more oomph from their ‘Military’ can up-spec to the Hellcat engine for $47,000 and even tweak it to 745kW (1000bhp) for another $90,000. Subtle.
The Military Edition makes up 25 percent of Tank sales and weighs around 3.1 tonnes, as opposed to the standard car’s 1.8 tonnes.
It’s popular in Las Vegas and Hollywood, in Macau and of course the Arab states.
Like all Tanks, it’s based upon a four-door Jeep Wrangler, and borrows its structure and interior architecture but with Rezvani’s own bodyshell, military grade electrics and interior styling. Rear-hinged doors included. Armouring the doors means they weigh 140kg apiece, so opening or closing them is a very deliberate process.
Why Wrangler? Service-friendly. Any Tank can be serviced at a Jeep dealer. Not sure New Zealand dealers are upskilled for that, but it’s clever anyway.
Tank Military protection equipment:
• Bulletproof glass and body armor.
• Underside explosive protection.
• Smoke screen.
• Military runflat tyres.
• Thermal night vision system.
• Reinforced suspension.
• Electromagnetic pulse protection.
• Ram bumpers.
• Optional explosive device detection.
• Optional continuous video recording.
• Electrified door handles.
• Siren and horn options.
• Strobe lights.
• Blinding lights.
• Intercom system.
• Magnetic dead bolts.
• Gas masks.
• First aid kit.
• Hypothermia kit.
• Pepper spray dispenser.
Image by Rezvani
