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Armored Volvo XC90 Can Drive Away After Being Shot at with an AK-47

Justifying the unveiling on the numerous requests received over the past few years, Swedish carmaker Volvo introduced on Wednesday (June 26) the armored XC90.
Armored Volvo XC90 12 photos
Photo: Volvo
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If you find an armored Volvo odd, you shouldn’t. Although not as visible or as numerous as other nameplates in this segment, the Swedes have been designing special vehicles, including cars for the police and even fire engines, for quite some time.

Based on the Volvo XC90 T6 AWD in Inscription trim, the car comes with 360-degree ballistic and explosive resistance, complying with the VR8 standard. That means it can take the full blow of bullets sprayed from the nozzle of an AK-47.

This is possible thanks to the fact the car was fitted with high-strength steel armor 10 mm thick, while the glass is up to 50 mm thick.

All the extra material adds quite some weight to the car. The vehicle is nearly one and a half tons heavier than the ones you can usually buy from a dealer. That brings the total weight to a staggering 4.49 tons, including the five occupants that can sit inside.

To handle the increased weight, an upgraded suspension was fitted, as were improved brakes. Volvo did not say if it enhanced the engine in any way.

The car itself was built by Volvo, of course, but the actual armoring was performed by German specialist company Trasco.

According to the Swedes, the car is already available for order, but deliveries will be made at the end of the year. The price of the car was not revealed.

Aside from the heavy XC90, a lighter variant will also be made, to sell from the first half of 2020 alongside an armored XC60.

Regardless of the model customers choose, Volvo promises no one will know the car is armored, as the extra plating “is fitted discreetly.”
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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