This bombproof Toyota Land Cruiser is what every Fortuner wants to be when they grow up
Sanjay Β· May 25, 2021 05:00 PM
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Say hello to the car you wish you'll have during the apocalypse: this is the SVI Max 3 Troopy. Underneath all that bulletproof, bombproof sheet metal lies a J70 Toyota Land Cruiser.
What looks like a purpose-built military vehicle isn't actually quite so: this is fit for civilian use, which means it doesn't need any special permits to share the road with plebian Camrys or Hiluxes.
Made by South African outfit SVI Engineering, the Max 3 Troopy's armoured body plates are made of steel and are built to provide EN1063 BR6-minimum protection.
That alphabet soup means that if someone shoots at it with an AK-47, they'll find the bullets to be just as effective as rubber bands to a wall.
But if you're getting one of these, then you might as well spring for the BR7-level protection which SVI offers as an optional upgrade. This'll enable the Troopy to not only shrug bullets, but also steamroll through landmines.
Pulling the Max 3 Troopy is a 4.4-litre V8 under the hood that has a peak power output of 205 PS and 430 Nm of torque.
It's mostly standard performance-wise, save for stronger wheels and tyres with higher load rating, upgraded suspension, and a rear anti-roll bar.
If you have to buy one of these for personal use, warranty is probably your least concern. But it's comforting to know that SVI says this can still be serviced like any other Land Cruiser at Toyota service centres.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.