Sime to bring armoured Land Rovers to Malaysia

By Rupinder SinghPublished: 2009/12/16

Armoured Land Rovers will hit Malaysian roads next year, thanks to sole dealer Sime Darby Auto Connexion Sdn Bhd.


These armour-plated vehicles are not targeted at the mass market, but at a selected few.

Sime Darby Auto Connexion managing director Hazem Abdul Rahman said the vehicles are suitable for government agencies, security organisations, heads of state, foreign embassies or wealthy private individuals.

Two models will be offered: the Range Rover and Discovery 3 with price tags of RM3.9 million and RM2.1 million respectively.

The armoured vehicles cost more than their standard versions due to added accessories.



"We expect small numbers (of buyers) and target to sell less than five units for 2010," Hazem told reporters after the unveiling of the 2010 Armoured Land Rover range by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Boyd McCleary, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

That's because Malaysia, unlike other high-risk countries, is safe with no security issues.

The armour-plating adds some 700 to 800kg to the weight of the Land Rovers.

However, the exterior of the armoured and standard versions are virtually indistinguishable when compared visually.

The armoured Range Rover provides B6-level ballistic and blast protection in accordance with European standard EN1063 while the armoured Discovery meets the EN1522 standard.

This means that they are resistant to a comprehensive range of hand guns and rifles, including the AK47, AK74, M16 and M60, as well as side blasts from high-explosive materials.

Land Rover is the second company to offer armour-plated vehicles here.

Land Rover government and direct sales manager John Wright said there is a global demand for 15,000 armoured vehicles per year.