
The integrated protection features of the new BMW X5 Protection VR6
were factored into the series production development process for the
Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). They include an armoured body and
safety glass designed specifically for this model. The latest version
of the protection vehicle therefore also meets the stipulations of
Germany’s Vereinigung der Prüfstellen für Angriffshemmende Materialien
und Konstruktionen (Association of Test Laboratories for
Attack-Resistant Materials and Constructions – VPAM, for short) with
regard to ballistic resistance and blast resistance. The official
certification for the complete vehicle was issued in accordance with
the guidelines for Bullet Resistant Vehicles (VPAM BRV) and the
guidelines for Explosive Resistant Vehicles (VPAM ERV, third edition).
The new design of the exterior and interior ensures there is barely
any perceptible difference between the BMW X5 Protection VR6 and the
equivalent standard model. Its inconspicuous appearance on public
roads represents an additional safety factor for individuals requiring
special protection. The upgraded powertrain of the X5 Protection VR6
teams up with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and
bespoke chassis technology to deliver the dynamic and assured
performance that marks out an SAV from BMW and also enables flexible
responses in potentially dangerous situations.
The BMW X5 Protection VR6 is the most powerful, most dynamic and
worldwide biggest-selling vehicle of its kind. The new edition will
celebrate its world premiere at the IAA Mobility 2023 international
motor show in Munich. There it will be presented to the public for the
first time together with the new BMW i7 Protection and new BMW 7
Series Protection. The new BMW X5 Protection VR6 has an outstanding
skillset as a single vehicle for at-risk individuals. And it is also
ideally suited to the role of support vehicle alongside the new
protection vehicles based on the BMW 7 Series. Deliveries of the new
model will get underway in February 2024.
Precisely modified design, discreet looks with a sporting flavour.
The precise upgrades for the exterior design of the new
BMW X5 Protection VR6 centre around the new interpretation of the
signature BMW headlights and kidney grille. The outline of the front
lights is 35 millimetres narrower than before. Their arrow-shaped
daytime driving light elements also perform the role of turn signal
indicators. Matrix LED headlights with adaptive control and BMW
Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam team up as standard. The BMW
kidney grille is now bordered by clearly sculpted surfaces, and
includes hallmark M double bars and the M logo.
The new design features borrow stylistically from the standard model
with V8 engine to give the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 an understated
appearance with a sporting flavour. Also playing their part here are
the newly designed air breathers in the front wheel arches, the
M exterior mirror caps in Black high-gloss, the BMW Individual roof
rails in High-gloss Shadowline and the two pairs of exhaust tailpipes
familiar from other M models. The likewise newly designed rear lights
cut a striking figure at night in particular. The brand-typical L
shape of the LED units for the rear lights and brake lights is
reflected horizontally, creating a visually powerful, consistently
illuminated X motif. Pulsating turn signal indicators at the rear
round off the unmistakable light show.
The range of exterior paint finishes comprises all of the shades
available for the new edition of the BMW X5. It also includes a large
number of BMW Individual paint finishes and BMW Individual special
paint finishes.
Progressive interior design with BMW Curved Display.
Offering generous levels of space and a raised seating position, the
cabin of the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 also underscores the imposing
character that traditionally marks out a luxury-class SAV. The
protection vehicle has a four-seater layout in the interests of
optimal comfort and safety. Thanks to the highly effective integration
of its protection features, occupants can enjoy exactly the same
amount of space and seating comfort as in the standard version of the
BMW X5. The vehicle’s boot has a load capacity of 500 litres, while
its maximum permissible payload has increased to 475 kilograms.
The new design of the cockpit brings a particularly progressive feel
to the premium interior ambience. The new BMW X5 Protection VR6 is
also now equipped with the fully digital BMW Curved Display. This
consists of a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel
and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches – both
located behind a single glass surface.
The BMW X5 Protection VR6 features the upgraded BMW iDrive with
QuickSelect, complete with the BMW Curved Display. It is based on BMW
Operating System 8.5 and makes selecting and operating numerous
functions even more intuitive and comfortable thanks to a new home
screen and QuickSelect rapid-access tech.
Standard specification for the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 also
includes four-zone automatic climate control, which comes with a
separate control panel for the temperature and ventilation in the rear
compartment. The central air vents in the front of the cabin are now
slim in appearance and integrated into the newly designed instrument
panel almost out of sight.
The instrument panel has surfacing in leather-like Sensafin as
standard, together with a large trim strip in Fineline Black metal
effect. Another new feature is the ambient light bar with crystalline
surface structure and highly effective LED backlighting integrated
below the trim element in the front passenger area. The control panel
in the centre console also has an extremely modern design with
additional touch-sensitive surfaces and a newly designed selector lever.
Sport seats in new Sensafin trim, M leather steering wheel and
Surround View as standard.
The BMW X5 Protection VR6 is fitted with sport seats as standard.
These offer outstanding lateral support when the driver is exploring
the limits of the car’s handling agility. Their functionality includes
lumbar support and electric adjustment options for the seat height,
seat angle, backrest angle and backrest width – including a memory
function on the driver’s side. The sport seats are heated and their
new Sensafin surfaces can be ordered in a choice of four colours. BMW
Individual Merino extended leather upholstery in four colour variants
and BMW Individual full Merino leather upholstery in three different
tones are included on the options list. Also available as an option
are comfort seats with fully electric adjustment. These can be
specified as an option with active seat ventilation and a massage function.
Standard specification for the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 also
includes an M leather steering wheel, ambient lighting, a hi-fi
speaker system and soft-close doors. The protection vehicle is also
fitted as standard with the sensors and camera systems developed for
the driver assistance systems in the BMW X5. Functions such as
Surround View, Remote 3D View and the BMW Drive Recorder provide
precise and detailed information on the area around the vehicle in all situations.
New V8 engine with 48V mild hybrid technology.
Effortless forward momentum and agile handling in any situation are
the defining driving qualities of the new BMW X5 Protection VR6. The
requisite drive power stems from a V8 engine whose latest incarnation
boasts even more responsive power delivery and greater efficiency. The
4.4-litre unit harnesses the thermodynamic benefits of a cross-bank
exhaust manifold, bank-symmetrical turbochargers and external engine
oil cooling. Other new features include a reinforced crankshaft drive,
improved turbocharging with a blow-off valve, an oil pump with
increased capacity and a weight-minimised oil sump.
In addition to this, the eight-cylinder engine now also comes with
48V mild hybrid technology in the form of a crankshaft-mounted starter
generator. Integrated into the housing of the eight-speed Steptronic
transmission – which has also undergone an extensive upgrade – is an
electric motor that generates an output boost of up to 9 kW/12 hp and
200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of torque, helping the engine to deliver a smooth,
dynamic and, at the same time, efficient drive. The power needed for
this is stored in a 48V battery that is charged extremely efficiently
by recuperating energy on the overrun and under braking.
The new drive system generates a total maximum output of
390 kW/530 hp and peak torque of 750 Nm (553 lb-ft), propelling the
new BMW X5 Protection VR6 from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds.
The protection model’s top speed is an electronically governed
210 km/h (130 mph).
Individually tuned chassis technology, Integral Active
Steering and active roll stabilisation as standard.
The chassis technology on board the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 has
been tuned precisely to its high power output and model-specific
weight distribution. The standard Sport brakes deliver consistently
high levels of stopping power, even under heavy loads.
The new BMW X5 Protection VR6 comes as standard with adaptive
M suspension Professional, which includes not only the M Sport
differential but also Integral Active Steering and an active roll
stabilisation system. Turning the rear wheels in either the same or
the opposite direction to the front wheels, depending on road speed,
enhances the vehicle’s controllability at high speeds while also
making it more agile in urban traffic and when manoeuvring. Active
roll stabilisation, meanwhile, is able to reduce both body roll when
taking corners at speed and the obtrusive effects caused by surface
imperfections on one side of the vehicle when driving in a straight
line. Operated using electric swivel motors, this system thereby
improves both agility and steering precision in the new
BMW X5 Protection VR6 and the vehicle’s ride comfort.
Integrated protection features, harmonious overall concept.
The new BMW X5 Protection VR6 succeeds in combining outstanding
protection under armed attack with a discreet design and superb
driving qualities. This is all thanks to its integrated protection features.
The armouring’s formed steel sections and the safety glass were
specially developed for this model and harmoniously integrated into
the vehicle’s overall concept on both a functional and design level.
This meant that careful consideration was already given to aspects
such as body gaps and the transitions between body and glass in the
development phase.
Armoured body and safety glass turn the interior into a
protective cell.
The armouring for the passenger compartment and the safety glass are
core elements of the protection features. Formed sections made of
high-strength steel that have been perfectly tailored to the body’s
contours can be found in the area around the doors, side frame, roof
and bulkhead. An armoured partition for the luggage compartment and an
aluminium splinter guard for the underbody round off the body-related
security measures.
Extended underbody armouring and additional armouring for the roof
are available as optional extras for the new BMW X5 Protection VR6.
Standard specification also includes a self-sealing fuel tank with a
special casing that seals itself after being hit by a bullet to
prevent any loss of fuel.
Model-specific convenience and security features.
A heating function for the windscreen and the front sections of the
side windows comes as standard, as do electrically operated windows in
the front. Another item on the model-specific standard equipment list
for the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 is an intercom system for
communicating with people on the outside. The controls for both this
system and other model-specific functions can be found in an
additional panel of switches in front of the selector lever on the
centre console.
Further bespoke equipment features can be added to the new
BMW X5 Protection VR6 to suit the intended purpose. These include
flashing LED lights in the radiator grille at the front, flashing rear
lights, roof-mounted light beacons including an acoustic signalling
system and a roof antenna with an additional receiver for digital
two-way radio. Flag poles are also optionally available for official occasions.
Signature brand qualities, model-specific protection features.
Besides the integrated protection concept, the test procedures
compulsory for all models also play a part in enabling the new
BMW X5 Protection VR6 to offer an uncompromising level of security
while still retaining the comfort and driving dynamics for which BMW
is renowned. The arduous test and calibration runs staged over the
course of the production development process ensure that both the
vehicle and its model-specific equipment features are ready to go and
will work reliably even in extreme conditions.
The protection model is fitted with its bespoke chassis technology at
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US state of South Carolina, where
the new BMW X5 Protection VR6 is being built alongside the regular
variants of the SAV. The protection equipment and other model-specific
security features are subsequently integrated by highly skilled
experts in a “craft manufacturing” process, guaranteeing that the
holistic security concept is implemented without any compromises.
Global service network, special driver training courses.
Customers around the world can take advantage of individual and
discreet consultancy arrangements and an array of other services. This
includes accommodating specific customer requests when it comes to
equipping their vehicle with additional protection and/or convenience
features. Service and maintenance for the protection models are
provided by an international network of BMW service outlets, with the
work carried out exclusively by trained experts in certified
specialist workshops.
BMW also offers special Security driver training courses. These
programmes, which BMW has been hosting for more than 35 years, are
offered at various intensity levels depending on the prior knowledge
of the participants involved and take place at several locations
around the world. The training courses are led by highly qualified
experts and their content ranges from comprehensive theory sessions to
practical vehicle control exercises and tactical response training.