Max protection, zero emission: Armored Jaguar I-PACE can stop shotgun fire

Think armored cars and the image of a politician in a massive, gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicle typically comes to mind.

But South African car armoring company Armormax has decided to use its expertise on something sleeker that uses no gasoline or diesel at all: the Jaguar I-PACE battery-electric crossover.

The firm announced on November 2022 that it has worked with Jaguar South Africa to produce an armoring package that doesn’t void the vehicle’s warranty.

Armormax said its I-PACE meets B4 ballistic protection standards, which can handle handguns of up to .44 Magnum and shotguns.

‘Bring it back in one piece, Bond’

Although a car’s weight increases dramatically from armoring, Armormax claimed the I-PACE uses the lightest protection material globally and doesn’t affect the EV’s performance. 

In addition, the armored I-PACE features ballistic glass, run-flat tires and an external intercom system.

The ₱7,990,000 Jaguar I-PACE is a five-seat crossover powered by a 90-kWh battery pack that runs through two electric motors pumping out a combined 400 PS and 696 Nm of torque. It can do 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Although AutoFun Philippines content head Mikko David wasn’t shot at during his review of the I-PACE, he found the performance and handling to be very good, especially since electric vehicles produce all of their torque from idle.

Armormax’s options include items you would normally need for a casual drive into a warzone like gas masks, ballistic riot shields and bomb blankets.

And if the baddies are particularly persistent, especially in locales like South Africa with its high rate of violent car crime, the Armormax I-PACE is available with a smoke-screen system, road-tack dispenser and electro-shocking door handles.

Do you think armored EVs make good sense?

Source: Max protection, zero emission: Armored Jaguar I-PACE can stop shotgun fire