SVI Engineering has equipped the new Toyota Hilux with a 360-degree B6 discreet armouring package, providing the highest grade of civilian protection available in South Africa without a special permit. The conversion gives local buyers of the country's best-selling bakkie an armoured option rated against assault rifles, including the AK47, R1 and R5. This armouring package is the first of its kind for the 9th-generation Hilux, which was launched locally earlier this year at Toyota's Prospecton factory in KwaZulu-Natal.
The B6 package uses custom-fabricated armoured steel plates, composite materials, and 38 mm ballistic glass curved to OEM specification. Ballistic overlaps are fitted around all door apertures, side windows, and the windscreen. The steel panels are cut and bonded to the inside of the passenger cell's sheet-metal areas, making the bakkie virtually indistinguishable from a standard model. The armouring process also includes a suspension upgrade and uprated door hinges.
The Hilux's body-on-frame construction and payload capacity accommodate the added mass of the armouring, while the standard 150 kW and 500 N.m 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine remains unchanged. Driver-assistance systems, including those relying on sensors behind the windscreen, remain fully operational after the conversion. Critical powertrain components are also protected, ensuring the vehicle's performance and safety are not compromised.
SVI Business Development Director Nicol Louw stated that this Hilux is the first to feature their 360-degree B6 discreet armouring package and is likely the first such example in South Africa. The driver's window can be lowered by around 150 mm using purpose-manufactured actuators that replace the original winding system. This feature allows for normal operation while maintaining the vehicle's armoured protection.
SVI offers various armouring packages for the Hilux double cab, including a B4 discreet package protecting against handguns up to .44 Magnum, priced at R624 054. The B2 SVI LITE partial-armouring kit, rated to stop 9 mm, 124-grain handgun rounds, costs R74 950 per closure. The B6 discreet package, priced from R945 239, includes a complimentary full-day driver-training course.
Options for the B6 package include roof armour, floor armour, and imported heavy-duty runflat rings for the tyres. The build time for the B4 and B6 packages is approximately three months, while B2 LITE fitment takes around two weeks. All prices exclude VAT and the cost of the base vehicle. SVI's armouring solutions cater to different security needs and budgets.
The SVI Hilux with the B6 discreet armour package provides a high level of protection for individuals requiring armoured vehicles. With its discreet design, the armoured Hilux offers a subtle yet effective solution for those seeking enhanced security without drawing attention to the vehicle's armoured features.
Key points
- The B6 armouring package provides 360-degree protection against assault rifles.
- The armouring package is priced from R945 239, excluding VAT.
- The build time for the B6 package is approximately three months.
