Bulletproof Bakkie: The Volkswagen Amarok Turns Into a Stealthy Fortress on Wheels

In an audacious twist of fate that would make James Bond green with envy, the Volkswagen Amarok has transformed from a humble hauler into a veritable fortress on wheels, thanks to the wizards at SVI Engineering. You heard it right, folks! This isn’t your average Sunday drive to the grocery store kind of pick-up. It’s more like a “casually dodge an ambush on your way back from picking up milk” kind of ride.

SVI, a South African outfit renowned for turning everyday vehicles into rolling safe rooms, has bestowed upon the latest-generation Amarok the kind of upgrade that would make a spy thriller seem like a children’s book. We’re talking about the B6 discreet armour package, a protective cocoon so robust it promises to shrug off assault rifles like an elephant brushes off a mosquito. The package is so discreet, you could park it at your local café and the only thing it would attract is admiring glances for its rugged good looks, not its battle-ready capabilities.

For those in the know, B6 is the automotive equivalent of wearing a full knight’s armor in a pillow fight. It offers all-round protection from high-velocity threats, including the likes of the AK47, R5, and R1 rifles. In the world of civilian vehicles in South Africa, acquiring this level of protection usually involves a maze of paperwork and special permits, but SVI has cut through the red tape like a hot knife through butter, offering this top-tier safety to the discerning Amarok owner.

Nicol Louw, SVI’s Business Development Director, reminisces about the popularity of their original B6 package for the first-gen Amarok, confidently predicting that the latest offering will have Amarok enthusiasts queuing up faster than you can say “bulletproof”. Given the Amarok’s sibling relationship with the Ford Ranger, SVI’s intimate knowledge of the Ranger’s anatomy has been instrumental in tailoring this impenetrable armour to VW’s stalwart, ensuring a fit as snug as a spy’s tuxedo.

The Amarok’s makeover includes 38 mm thick armoured glass that wouldn’t look out of place in a superhero’s shield, and high-grade steel plates that are as discreet as they are impervious. The package covers every conceivable angle, ensuring that everything from the firewall to the footwells is as secure as Fort Knox. And because driving a tank-disguised-as-a-pickup would be a dead giveaway, SVI has thoughtfully upgraded the suspension to handle the extra weight, ensuring that the Amarok retains its agility and doesn’t handle like an elephant on roller skates.

Opting for this armour doesn’t mean signing up for a vehicle that screams “I’m bulletproof!” to every passerby. On the contrary, the Amarok retains its understated elegance, allowing drivers to enjoy their beefed-up security in stealth mode. Whether you’re in the top-spec 3.0TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion or any other model in the Amarok lineup, SVI’s got you covered—literally.

But let’s talk turkey. This kind of peace of mind doesn’t come cheap. The B6 package starts at a cool R825,681 (excluding VAT), with a build time that’s shorter than some people’s decision to buy a new couch. And for those who feel that dodging bullets might not be on their daily to-do list, there’s also a B4 package available, providing ample protection against handguns, because you never know when a wild grocery store parking lot shootout might erupt.

SVI isn’t just about armoring the elite Amaroks, though. They’re also working on bringing peace of mind to the more economically inclined Amarok versions, ensuring that safety isn’t just a luxury for the few but an option for the many.

In a world (sorry, I couldn’t resist) where the unexpected has become the norm, the SVI-engineered Volkswagen Amarok stands as a testament to the ingenuity of human innovation, blending the everyday utility of a pickup with the extraordinary capabilities of an armoured vehicle. It’s the ultimate expression of “prepared for anything,” making it not just a vehicle, but a veritable mobile fortress. And in today’s unpredictable landscape, who wouldn’t want to be the king or queen of their own castle, even if it’s on four wheels?

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