The Three-pointed Star has collaborated with local armouring specialists SVI to create a Mercedes-Benz V-Class with B4-level armouring, which is now available to order.

The demand for armoured (“bulletproofed’) vehicles has increased dramatically over the years in South Africa and SVI Engineering, based in Gauteng, has a reputation for producing highly reinforced products.

Now, SVI and Mercedes-Benz have unveiled an armoured V-Class, which is optimised for a high level of driver and passenger protection in the event of an armed attack. The armoured luxury people-mover’s specialised packaging – rated at B4 (handgun grade) – was developed locally and although the ‘Benz looks stock standard, eagle-eyed observers may notice the bus’ 21-mm-ticker ballistic glass windows.

The windows aren’t the only parts of the ‘Benz that are armoured (although note that the driver’s window can only open partially) – the SVI package features extensive use of Kevlar and steel plates in the panels and doors. You can further enhance the protection with additional B4 roof armour and B4 floor armour.

The vehicle shown here is a V300d derivative, which is powered by a 174 kW500 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission. SVI is capable of armouring all derivatives of the V-Class and the best part of the process is that the vehicle retains its 5-year/100 000 km PremiumDrive plan, while SVI offers an additional 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty on the armouring.

If you currently own a V-Class, you can upgrade your vehicle to this level of armouring retroactively. Suffice it to say, the entire armouring process is comprehensive and takes 3 months to complete. The armouring adds around 400 kg to the overall mass of the vehicle. New V-Class customers will be able to order the armoured package via the dealership network towards the end of the 3rd quarter of 2023.

Does this make a difference to the vehicle’s driving experience? Well, yes, but not as much as you might expect. We briefly drove the armoured Mercedes-Benz V-Class while there were 5 passengers on board and, while one is well aware of the fact that the reinforced luxury people-mover is heavier than its non-armoured siblings, with 500 Nm of torque available, the ‘Benz still delivers plenty of overtaking grunt. SVI did not need to make any modifications to the ‘Benz’s suspension or braking system for the upgrade.

“Over the past few years, we’ve noticed an uptick in demand for armoured luxury people movers. There’s no better example of this genre of vehicle than the V-Class, so we were delighted to partner with Mercedes-Benz Vans SA to make this OEM-backed conversion a reality,” said Jaco de Kock, Chief Executive Officer of the SVI Group of Companies.

Price? The armoured conversion of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class costs R960 750, excluding VAT.

It’s not our first taste of SVI’s handiwork as Ciro de Siena drove the armoured Max 9.

Related content:

Mercedes-Benz V300d Special Edition (2023) Review

New Mercedes-Benz V-Class Specs & Prices in South Africa