MUNICH, Germany — BMW will introduce a surprising new trim line for the 5 Series sedan at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Dubbed the Security, it is an armored conversion for the executive sedan.
It will be offered for the eight-cylinder 550i and the six-cylinder 530i models.
BMW has catered to the upper segment with vehicles such as the X5 and the 7 Series sedan. But increasing pressure from customers and the rising number of kidnappings and carjackings prompted this — practical? — step.
According to the German automaker, the converted 5 Series sedan is in the "B4 category." That means it can withstand a 0.44-caliber Magnum and other handguns. Special steel and other materials, including aramid fibers — as in bulletproof vests — were used to strengthen the exterior and underneath. Side windows are now nearly an inch thick.
It will be offered for the eight-cylinder 550i and the six-cylinder 530i models.
BMW has catered to the upper segment with vehicles such as the X5 and the 7 Series sedan. But increasing pressure from customers and the rising number of kidnappings and carjackings prompted this — practical? — step.
According to the German automaker, the converted 5 Series sedan is in the "B4 category." That means it can withstand a 0.44-caliber Magnum and other handguns. Special steel and other materials, including aramid fibers — as in bulletproof vests — were used to strengthen the exterior and underneath. Side windows are now nearly an inch thick.
