- Volvo's family-sized plug-in hybrid SUVs can be had as armored vehicles.
- The XC60 and XC90 can be fitted with 360-degree bulletproofing from the factory.
- The rear windows of the armored XC90 can't be opened.
If "being able to withstand up to 300 bullets" is what you had in mind when you think about the safety features you want on your next Volvo, the Swedish automaker has you covered.
That’s because the latest facelifted versions of the plug-in hybrid XC90 and XC60 can be fitted with armor directly at the factory. And even with a lot of extra weight, they can still drive roughly 30 to 40 miles on electric power.
In the armored XC90’s case, Volvo says it can drive up to 41 miles (67 kilometers) on battery power on the WLTP cycle. That’s nearly 2 miles (3 km) less than the standard XC90 T8, but I suspect that might have something to do with the armored car’s weight, which is 705 pounds (320 kilograms) higher than the standard car. The trunk is also a little smaller, going from 23 cubic feet (650 liters) to 23 cubic feet (623 liters).
The 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque of the plug-in hybrid powertrain remain unchanged. To compensate for the extra weight, Volvo reinforces the chassis and fits its bulletproof cars with more powerful brakes, as well as heavy-duty 20-inch wheels.
The automaker is adamant that the armored XC90 and XC60 drive the same as their standard counterparts. Despite the extra protection, one of the biggest selling points of the beefed-up PHEVs is their ability to seamlessly blend in—it’s nearly impossible to know that an armored XC90 is, in fact armored.
The Protection-labeled XC90 comes with the same sensors, radar setup and cameras as the regular car, and you don’t need a special license to drive it. Moreover, anyone can buy one, be it a private individual or a company, but Volvo says not anyone who wants an armored car can actually buy one.
“Sales of armored vehicles may be subject to trade sanctions and export controls,” the Swedish automaker warns. “To ensure that Volvo Cars complies with such rules, all customers in the process of buying an armored Volvo vehicle will be subject to sanction screening and a review will take place to establish whether any license is required for the destination or end use.”
To make an armored XC90, Volvo first builds a regular car. It is then disassembled and scanned with a 3D scanner. Those scans are then used to create custom armored parts that can be integrated into the original structure without compromising the way the car looks.
Gallery: Volvo XC90 and X60 plug-in hybrid armored vehicles
Multiple layers of aramid, the same material used in bulletproof vests, are used around the car and on the roof. Custom-made stainless steel parts are also used in different places.
All the windows are replaced with reinforced laminated armored glass, which doesn’t interfere with any of the safety features. However, as a precaution, the rear windows of the armored XC90 PHEV cannot be opened. Per Volvo, its armored cars are ballistically certified to NIJ IIIA standards in combination with VPAM 2009, with the automaker claiming it’s the only one in the business to fulfill both of these standards on a factory-built car.
What’s more, because the armored XC90 and XC60 are made by Volvo, they benefit from the same warranty and service coverage as conventional models. Peace of mind, even if nobody is taking aim at you.
