BMW’s i7 is set to get an even heavier brother with BMW’s armoured i7 Protection rumoured for … [+]
BMW will build an armored version of its super-luxury i7 limousine, sources at the German premium automaker have confirmed.
An official announcement on the BMW i7 Protection is likely to be made after this month’s G7 economic summit in Germany, but the project will be BMW’s first official armored electric car.
The armored version of the i7 was not even confirmed as a project three months ago when Forbes drove prototypes of both the BMW i7 and the new 7 Series V8 limousine, but it has leapt to the forefront in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
While details are scarce (BMW rarely releases detailed specifications on its “Protection” lineup), sources suggest there will be different levels of protection, from small-arms fire to protection from heavier ordinance.
One issue will be that insiders suggested the BMW i7 Protection would weigh in excess of four tons, forcing its drivers to undergo training for licenses for heavier vehicles, with suggesting they stay away from small bridges.
The standard BMW i7 will be about 5.4 meters long and 3.2 meters in the wheelbase—or about five inches longer than the current 7 Series long wheelbase.
BMW has admitted the difference between the six-cylinder 7 Series and the big-battery i7 may be around 1,100 pounds, while the armor in the i7 Protection will add at least another 1500 pounds.
Sources insist the BMW i7 Protection is due to be revealed later this year.
