New BMW 7 Series Protection with Ballistic Glass, Michelin PAX Tyres, and more Revealed in India

BMW India has stepped up their security game with the introduction of the new 7 Series Protection. Due to go on sale soon in the country, the latest-generation 7 Series Protection car is built for high-risk individuals, including foreign dignitaries, heads of delegations, and so on. Expect it to be priced way more than Rs 1.70 crore (ex-showroom), the price at which the standard 7 Series was launched in January 2023. 

New BMW 7 Series Protection: Powertrain

Powering the new BMW 7 Series Protection is a new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology, resulting in 523bhp and 750Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. With close to 3,900kg of weight – a decrease of about 200kg, the Protection can sprint from a halt to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds while powering through to a 210km/h top speed. 

New BMW 7 Series Protection: Exterior

On the outside, the new BMW 7 Series Protection looks almost identical to the standard version, save for a few changes. These include a pair of new 20-inch alloy wheels (standard) wrapped in Michelin PAX run-flat tyres, which can run at up to 80km/h in the event of a total loss of pressure.

Other elements include an illuminated kidney grille as well as Integral Active Steering for rear wheels – which is said to reduce the car's turning circle when manoeuvring while also increasing precision and dynamic response through quickly taken corners. The new 7 Series Protection is available in six exterior colour options – Oxide Grey, Brooklyn Grey, Deep Grey, Pure Grey, Black Sapphire, and Aventurine Red.

New BMW 7 Series Protection: Chassis 

The biggest talking point here is an in-house Protection Core, a 'self-supporting' protective shell made of 10mm steel armouring against ballistic attacks and explosions. The Core surrounds the entire passenger compartment, including the underbody, armour-plated doors (each weighing 200kg), and safety glass. The latter is VPAM 10 certified – meaning it gets the highest level of protection, and can withstand fire from calibre 7.62x5Li R ammunition. Barring the glass windows, the armoured structure or Core comes with a VR9 protection rating as standard. Moreover, the underbody and roof can sustain more than one hand grenade.

New BMW 7 Series Protection: Features

Features-wise, the new 7 Series Protection comes with a self-sealing fuel tank, motorised doors, as well as an option to include oxygen tanks for protection against gas attacks. You also get an integrated UI, certain ADAS functions, two curved displays, heated and ventillated seats, heated windscreens, a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, electronic power steering, brake-energy regeneration, auto start-stop, Eco Pro mode, Merino leather upholstery, as well as a fire extinguisher with manual and automatic discharge. 

Manufactured at the BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing (Germany), the new BMW 7 Series Protection will be imported into India as a completely built-up unit.