By Malusi Msomi

The Next Gen armoured Ranger first made its debut at the 2023 NAMPO Harvest Day as a prototype. This follows a fruitful collaboration with Ford SA to provide OEM-approved armoured protection for the previous-generation pickup bakkie. The bullet-resistant prototype was based on the locally built, high-specification Ranger Double Cab Wildtrak 3.0L V6 4WD 10AT.

Safety is a top priority in South Africa, prompting SVI Engineering and Ford to renew their partnership for the Next Gen SVI-engineered Ranger. In 2023, SVI sold 130 units of the previous armoured Rangers. The new model, armed with Level B4 armour, includes ballistic glass resistant to .44 Magnum handguns and concealed Kevlar sheets for 360-degree protection—an ideal solution for anti-hijack scenarios.

Ford’s latest Ranger features factory-backed Level B6 discreet armour for assault rifle resistance and an affordable B6 Stopgun V2.0 kit for added security. These bullet-resistant Rangers are available nationwide, with financing options through Ford Credit. As an accredited Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM), SVI ensures the preservation of warranties and service plans.

SVI covers the entire new Ranger line-up, including Single Cab, Super Cab, and Double Cab, across all powertrains. Additionally, SVI will introduce Ford-approved B4 and B6 discreet armour packages for the new Everest.

Driving

When it comes to driving these armoured cars is different experience. When opening the doors, there’s quite some heft to them, same as closing the door. Pulling off is quite normal, but when you get up to speed, there’s a noticeable difference in how the car behave. There’s quite a bit of body roll at higher speeds and braking distance increased due to its weight. Fuel consumption is also affected. These are not built for speed but rather made to buy you time. When we say “buy you time”, we mean if you’re struck by a few bullets, this buys you time to react and find an escape route to avoid further attack.

Verdict

People buy armoured cars primarily for safety and security reasons. These vehicles offer protection against various threats such as gunfire, explosives, and hijacking attempts, and provides peace of mind for occupants, especially in our country with high crime stats. With SVI selling over 130 of the previous generation armoured Rangers, we can only see demand rising due to the current crime climate.

Pricing (excludes VAT and excludes the purchase price of the base vehicle):