Stellantis South Africa has partnered with Gauteng-based SVI Engineering to offer an armoured version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This collaboration introduces a bullet-resistant SUV that retains the full factory warranty and service plan, marking a notable development in the country’s automotive landscape.
Enhanced protection without compromising warranty
The armoured Grand Cherokee is available in two configurations: the standard B4 package and the more robust B4+ option. The B4 package provides protection against handguns up to a .44 Magnum, while the B4+ is rated to withstand assault rifles, including the AK-47. Importantly, these enhancements do not affect Jeep’s five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty and maintenance plan. SVI Engineering offers an additional one-year/50,000 km warranty on the armouring components .
Technical specifications and features
The armouring process involves the installation of custom-fabricated steel plates and lightweight composite materials in critical areas such as doors and pillars. Standard windows are replaced with 32mm ballistic glass, curved to original equipment manufacturer specifications. Additional features include partial firewall protection and an armoured rear bulkhead equipped with an integrated escape hatch behind the second row of seats. These modifications add approximately 400 kg to the vehicle’s mass, bringing it to around 2.5 tonnes without passengers or cargo .
Despite the added weight, the Grand Cherokee’s 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 210 kW and 344 Nm of torque, ensures that performance remains largely unaffected. Driver-assistance systems, including those reliant on sensors behind the windscreen, continue to function optimally. The driver’s window can be lowered to one-third of its range, facilitating access to parking-ticket machines and biometric readers .
Pricing and Availability
The base price for the standard B4 armouring package is R833,684, while the B4+ option starts at R1,236,814. These prices exclude VAT and the cost of the vehicle itself. Considering the Grand Cherokee’s starting price of R1,426,989, the total cost for an armoured version can exceed R2.3 million, inclusive of VAT. The B4 package is available for both five- and seven-seater models, whereas the B4+ is exclusive to the five-seater variant. The estimated build time for these conversions is approximately three months .
Industry Context
Jeep’s entry into the factory-backed armoured vehicle market aligns it with other manufacturers such as BMW and Ford, which have also collaborated with SVI Engineering to offer armoured vehicles in South Africa. This trend underscores a growing market for vehicles that provide enhanced personal security without compromising on manufacturer support and warranty.
This development reflects a broader shift in the automotive industry, where manufacturers are increasingly addressing consumer concerns about personal safety by offering factory-backed armoured vehicles. As demand for such vehicles grows, collaborations like that of Stellantis and SVI Engineering are likely to become more commonplace, providing consumers with options that combine security, comfort, and manufacturer assurance.
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