Change aims at discretion and economy; new model made in the USA withstands rifle shots and costs half the price of its predecessor
In a break with decades of automotive tradition, the FBI announced the replacement of the iconic armored Chevrolet Suburban with a fleet of BMW X5 Protection VR6 for the personal transport of its director, Kash Patel. The strategic decision prioritizes operational discretion in urban environments and cost efficiency, retiring — at least at this level — the vehicle that has become synonymous with federal strength in the United States.
According to the agency, the omnipresence of the black Suburban, while imposing, has become a tactical liability. The model is now easily identifiable, compromising “low-profile” missions that require anonymity in traffic.
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Unlike the excessive visibility of Chevrolet’s “big guy”, the BMW X5 has contained dimensions, allowing the vehicle to blend organically into the flow of big cities. A crucial point for the approval of the contract was the origin: although the brand is German, the model is manufactured in Spartanburg, South Carolina, maintaining the appreciation of the local industry.
The economic factor was decisive. While a militarized Suburban Heavy Duty can cost around US$ 500 thousand (R$ 2,7 million) after modifications, the BMW X5 Protection VR6, which already leaves armored from the factory, has an estimated cost of US$ 220 thousand (approximately R$ 1,2 million) — a saving of more than 50% per unit.
The technical specifications turn the luxury SUV into a mobile fortress. The VR6 certification ensures resistance to shots from AK-47 rifles and side explosions of up to 15 kg of TNT. The safety package includes 30 mm multi-layer glass, floor shielding against grenades and self-sealing fuel tank.
To move the 3.3 tons of the set, the X5 uses a 530 hp 4.4 biturbo V8 engine, capable of taking the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds — essential agility for evasive maneuvers. Reinforced air suspension, rear axle steering and run-flat tires complete the apparatus.
Despite the change at the top level, the FBI clarified that the Chevrolet Suburban will not be completely discarded. The GM SUV, which has served the government since the 1930s and consolidated the aesthetics of the “G-men” from the 70s, will continue to operate on other fronts. GM Defense maintains active and robust contracts with the government, having recently received investments of $36.4 million to develop the next generation of federal tactical support vehicles.
