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As South Africa forges ahead in the automotive landscape, a notable divide has emerged in the growing realm of new-energy vehicles.
- New Energy Vehicles
- 8 December 2025
SVI Engineering, a specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, has developed a bespoke armouring package for the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, handing this sought-after 4x4 SUV concealed level B6 protection.
Representing the highest grade of civilian-vehicle armour available in South Africa without the need for a special permit, the new B6 discreet package affords occupants of the J250-generation Prado comprehensive protection against ammunition fired from assault rifles, including AK47, R1 and R5.
The Bashewa-based firm’s formula includes the extensive use of custom-fabricated armoured steel plates, composite materials and high-grade 38mm ballistic glass, with the latter curved to OEM specification. SVI’s solution is furthermore set apart by the fact that it incorporates ballistic overlaps not just around all door apertures and all side windows but around the windscreen too.
To save on cost and mass, the B6 package for the Prado features an armoured rear bulkhead – complete with an escape hatch – neatly integrated behind the cabin’s second row of seats. As is the case with all of SVI’s discreet armouring packages, the vehicle’s various driver-assistance safety systems (including those that rely on sensors positioned behind the windscreen) remain fully operational after the conversion.
Toyota’s 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which delivers 150kW and 500Nm to all four corners through an eight-speed automatic transmission, is well equipped to handle the added mass of the various armouring components, while a suspension upgrade and uprated door hinges are included in the package as standard.
The 360-degree B6 discreet armouring solution for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – available for both the TX and VX-R trim levels – is priced from R1 136 814 (excluding VAT). SVI also offers a B4 discreet package, which protects against handguns (up to .44 Magnum) and is priced from R746 419 (excluding VAT).
In each case, the list of options includes items such as roof armour, floor armour, a PA system and imported heavy-duty run flat rings for the tyres. The project build time for both the B4 discreet and B6 discreet packages is set at approximately three months.
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