German tuning Brabus has just released a SUV that is the ‘mother’ of all SUV’s. Christian Draser, chief executive at Brabus, explains: ‘We have the entire vehicle certified by an accredited German ballistics authority, both with regard to being fired upon and being subjected to explosions as per resistance class VR6 Plus ERV.
The asking price for this bullet and bomb proof SUV ranges from £440,000 (RM2.34 Million before tax and delivery) for the Invicto Pure to a staggering £645,000 (RM3.43 Million before tax and delivery) for the top-spec Invicto Mission.
All version of this Brabus SUV come with a steel Shelter Cell that replaces the body of the standard car and it can resist a 15kg TNT blast. The cell has no panel gaps and is fitted ultra-thick bulletproof glass so it can resist a full round of AK47 bullets attacking it.
The Mission also gets infra-red night vision cameras, a fresh air system with ABC filters to resist attacks from airborne substances and even an armored escape hatch on the roof.
PRESS RELEASE: BRABUS FULLY CERTIFIED ARMOURED VEHICLE WITH BLAST PROTECTION.
With the MISSION Brabus Automotive complies with this in every way and meets the exceptional demands for challenging purposes. With its sophisticated interior and the exterior features, like protection vest compatible integral seats with variable foam geometry, “MOLLE”-system door panels and seat backs, a roof rail system, a digital rear display mirror, the Acetech system with two touch control panels, an intercom system and 20“ rough profile off road tires the INVICTO MISSION is especially made for special forces.
Of course, the INVICTO MISSION doesn’t only provide reliable protection at VR6 plus ERV level, it also fulfils the highest demands regarding suitability for everyday use, comfort, driving dynamics, active and passive safety as well as manufacturing quality. Therefore, the INVICTO MISSION is the perfect trace protection and escort vehicle with military compatible interior and special exterior features and offers furthermore lifestyle, too.
The highest technical standards were also paramount for Brabus Automotive when it came to developing the new armored vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Right from the very start, the overall ballistic concept was designed for a maximum protective effect corresponding to the level of OEM factory armor plating.
Unlike with other retroactively armor plated vehicles, the components of the protection system were not individually welded into the vehicle’s bodywork structure; rather, the engineers at Brabus Automotive developed a self-contained, self-supporting, bolted structural cell, the so-called INVICTO Shelter Cell. It is inserted into the body shell in a disassembled state and then constructed. One of the structural features of the shelter cell is the zero-joints design which means that there is absolutely no entry narrowing – similar to a vehicle armor plated in an OEM factory.
The armor components are mounted to the shelter cell without any gaps. Unavoidable weld seams, on the doors for example, are achieved with material overlapping and so-called labyrinths. The design of the upper windscreen frame is also innovative.
It was only once the individual elements of the shelter cell proved their protective effect that the entire cell was tested in the vehicle. Every single material pairing and screw connection was tested by being shot at from several angles and at projectile speeds which are well beyond the standard speed of the calibre being protected against.
The maximum performance kit for the G500 is the BRABUS PowerXtra B40S-550. Each kit consists of two BRABUS special turbochargers with larger compressor unit and modified core assemblies with reinforced axial bearings.
The performance increase is completed with the BRABUS PowerXtra control module for the engine control unit. In addition to a bump in peak torque from 610 Nm to 800 Nm, the rated output jumps by 156 hp from 422 hp to 550 hp. The plug-and-play control unit is adapted to the production electronics.
The INVICTO top-speed is limited to 210 km/h in general.
The added weight of the overall vehicle due to the armor plating is comparatively low at around 1,000 kilograms, but the load-bearing capacity of the chassis must be modified to meet the high requirements of Brabus Automotive when it comes to driving dynamics and life span. The necessary adjustments cover the entire front and rear axle construction of the vehicle.
The entire wheel suspension, for example, has been replaced by own new development, while frame reinforcements around the longitudinal beams and the spring dome increase the strength of the original vehicle structure. The obligatory verification of the new construction included simulations using the finite element method (FEM), component analyses, stationary endurance runs and road tests. Thanks to this process established by Brabus Automotive, the extreme lifespan requirement can be ensured in accordance with OEM requirements, even with materials under the greatest of loads.
To ensure a high degree of driving dynamics, Brabus Automotive equips the chassis with reinforced springs, stabilizers and shock absorbers. The shock absorbers of the active chassis now have a pipe diameter of 60 instead of the previous 50 mm. A modified braking system with 402-mm brake discs and six-piston brake calipers at the front and 380-mm brake discs and four-piston calipers at the back ensure adequate deceleration, even with the maximum additional load. Wheels with increased load-bearing capacity and a special run-flat system developed by Brabus Automotive round off the chassis adjustments of the vehicle
