2009 BMW X5 Security Plus

[JoshCalkins]

X5 Security Plus

Have you really been wanting to get a new X5, but were worried that it wouldn't be able to stand up to the roving AK47-equipped gangs of your neighborhood? Well, worry no longer, because the 2009 BMW X5 Security Plus edition is here, and it is the highest-classified protection vehicle ever offered for sale to the public.

The X5 Security Plus has a protection classification of Class Six, meaning that every part of the vehicle can withstand gunfire from weapons as powerful as an AK47 assault rifle. The glass is thick and bulletproof, and armor plating has been fitted to all of the body panels. There has also been reinforcement and shielding added to all gaps in the body panels, meaning that there are no weak spots on the car. These security measures do make the car heavier, but it is still quick. A 335 horsepower 4.8-liter V8 sits under the hood, and the car can reach 0-to-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. There is an electronically-limited top speed of 112 mph. The suspension has also been adjusted to handle the extra weight and to give the car better handling characteristics on off-road driving.

X5 Security Plus

One of the biggest assets of the X5 Security Plus, however, is that it doesn't look like an armored vehicle. If one of these drove past you on the street, you'd be hard-pressed to differentiate it from a regular X5 unless it stopped and you thoroughly inspected it. This is good news for those who need protection, as the safest way to get through trouble is to never encounter it in the first place.

To help you avoid trouble, there are also a couple of other neat features. There is an intercom system so that you can talk to people outside the car without opening a door or rolling down a window. There is an optional rear camera, and optional side view front bumper cameras so that you can get a full view of a cross-street as you pull out of a gate or a narrow entrance, like that of a parking garage. The lights in the front grille are LED fixtures that can be turned on for getaways, and the roof light is removable.

X5 Security Plus

And don't worry if you're not trained in security driving procedures, as BMW has instructional programs designed to teach you how to handle all sorts of terrorists/pirates/ne'er-do-wells/etc. The German automaker has been offering security driving training for its protection vehicles for over 20 years. The press release announcing the vehicle doesn't mention a price, but really, can you put a price on your security?