BMW 7-series High Security is the Ultimate Protection Machine

It used to be that high rollers needing protection from the proletariat would ride in big SUVs clad in bullet-resistant steel. But climate change and high gas prices make that seem so un-PC. Enter the 7-series High Security.

Like the 740iL Protection we drove almost a decade ago, the High Security is an armored variant of the BMW 750Li and 760Li. The cars are certified to BRV 2009 and VR7 standards, which means they’re resistant to lots of bullets and bombs. The BMW’s underside and all body panels around the passenger compartment are reinforced with special high-strength steel, and the windows are layered with 2.4 inches of polycarbonate that’ll stop glass shards—or bullets—from harming passengers.

An intercom lets the chauffeured chat with the chaff outside, without the risk of opening doors or windows. There’s also an assault alarm and an automatic fire-extinguisher system for the engine compartment and car underside. If a special monitoring system detects an irritant gas, it locks the doors and windows and pumps fresh air into the cabin until the threat has passed.

Other features that will never be listed at your local BMW dealer include holders for ambassadors’ flags, two-way radios, lights and sirens for the outside, and a cubby in the center console that can hold two machine guns. Y’know, just in case. Finally, BMW adds a beefed-up suspension to carry the extra weight added by all the reinforcements.