SVI AK47 Golf 8 GTI Unveiled as Armoured Rapid-Response Hot Hatch

Imagine your favorite hot hatch on steroids – no, not the kind that gets you banned from sports, but the kind that makes you laugh in the face of danger. Enter the SVI AK47 Golf 8 GTI, the latest brainchild from SVI Engineering, South Africa’s own guardian angels in the world of armoured vehicles.

This isn’t your typical Golf 8 GTI, the one you’d see zipping through traffic with a symphony of turbocharged joy. No, this beast has been to the gym, donned a bulletproof vest, and is ready to take on the mean streets where AK47s are as common as braai tongs at a Saturday barbecue.

Bulletproof Blitzkrieg

Handguns and rifles up to 7.62×39 mm? Not a problem. The SVI AK47 Golf 8 GTI isn’t just about looking tough; it’s about being tough. Forget the standard B4 armour – we’re talking B4+, the extra slice of ballistic bread in the armour sandwich. SVI has gone full Rambo on this one, making it the ultimate rapid-response vehicle for urban warfare… or just your daily commute through Johannesburg.

Exhibitionist Extravaganza

Debuting at Securex 2024, Africa’s top security and fire trade exhibition at Gallagher Convention Centre, this armoured hatch is the main attraction. Like a celebrity at a film premiere, it stands out with its custom-fabricated B4+ body armour and special ballistic glass, discreet yet undeniably badass. And if you fancy all-wheel drive, the Golf 8 R variant is also up for the bulletproof treatment.

Armouring Package: Because Bullet Holes Aren’t Chic

SVI’s engineers didn’t just slap on some steel and call it a day. Oh no, they’ve meticulously crafted a bespoke package, ensuring protection against those pesky AK47 rounds. With 3.5 mm armoured steel plating and revolutionary lightweight ballistic glass, this Golf can shrug off four AK47 shots in a 300 mm square area – a party trick that’s both impressive and life-saving.

Every detail screams precision. The driver’s window lowers halfway – perfect for a dramatic wave or a swift exchange of documents. The rear bulkhead, bolstered by a camera feed to the rear-view mirror, saves on cost and weight, meaning the tailgate doesn’t need to be armoured. Powertrain components? Armoured. Battery? Bullet-resistant. Suspension springs? Uprated.

Speed and Safety: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Despite gaining an extra 340 kg from the armour, this hot hatch hasn’t lost its pep. The Golf 8 GTI’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine still pumps out 180 kW and 370 Nm to the front wheels, while the all-wheel-drive Golf 8 R cranks it up to 235 kW and 400 Nm. Who says you can’t be safe and fast?

Price and Build Time: Start Saving Now

Fancy one of these armoured beauties? The SVI AK47 armouring package for the Volkswagen Golf 8 – GTI or R – is a cool R649,500 (excluding VAT and the cost of the base vehicle). And in just three months, you’ll have the ultimate blend of speed and protection, ready to take on whatever the streets throw at you.

Nicol Louw, SVI’s Business Development Director, puts it best: “In South Africa, it’s clear that the fight against crime needs fresh solutions. The SVI AK47 Golf 8 GTI is exactly that, equipping rapid responders with both the speed and the protection they need.”

So, if you’re in the market for a rapid-response vehicle that can keep up with your fast-paced life and keep you safe from those unexpected AK47 rounds, look no further than the SVI AK47 Golf 8 GTI. Because why should you compromise on style and safety when you can have both?

Specifications:

• Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol

• Power Output (GTI): 180 kW

• Torque (GTI): 370 Nm

• Power Output (R): 235 kW

• Torque (R): 400 Nm

• Armour: B4+ armoured steel plating

• Ballistic Glass: Rated to stop four AK47 shots in a 300 mm square

• Additional Weight: 340 kg

• Price: R649,500 (excluding VAT and base vehicle)

• Build Time: Approximately three months

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