10 Most Expensive Armored Vehicles In The World

Jan 23, 2024

If you think you can't put a price on protection, these 10 insanely expensive armored cars will change your mind.

Whether you're a head of state, or a successful businessman looking to buy some peace of mind during your travels, armored cars come in handy and provide mobility and safety rolled into a package.

The idea of beefed-up civilian cars has been around for a while, even dating back to the Second World War, when Roosevelt rode around an armored '42 Lincoln Towncar. Protection can range from simple bulletproof glass to full bomb protection and even chemical attack resistance. Some cars even boast self-sealing gas tanks or tires that can run a marathon while flat.

Of course, these do not come cheap, as a decent up-armored sedan or SUV can set customers back by at least six digits. Put away the bulletproof vest and pull out a blank check to see the 10 most expensive armored vehicles in the world.

RELATED: 8 Safest Luxury Armored SUVs in The World

The choice of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and start-up politicians against attacks across the world, the BMW 7 Series High-Security line offers customizable options from bulletproof windows to run-flat tires that can get any passenger out of danger.

The most common model on offer is the BMW 760Li, with customers having the choice between a V8 and a V12 to get them to safety. With the vehicle meeting VR7 to VR9 ballistic protection standards, the passengers are safe against high-caliber rounds from M16s and AK-47s. The car is available for a minimum of $350,000 and is backed up by BMW's dedicated team of BMW 7 Series High-Security specialists based in Munich.

If you're looking for more space with almost the same budget, Swiss armoring company Rijck took a Maybach 62S and turned it into a mobile pillbox. Even Charlie Sheen owned one of these armored beasts.

The windows are built to withstand a sniper round from near-point blank range, and the AMG V12 Biturbo 5980cc produces 620 horses to remove anyone from an unsafe situation. With a price tag of at least $352,000, the Ricjk-armored Maybach 62S is the perfect fit for high-profile individuals looking for more space and comfort in their travels.

RELATED: This is what makes the Mercedes Maybach S650 The Ultimate Business Limousine

Made by the same people that make cars for the royal family, the Bentley Mulsanne offers a luxurious experience behind its bulletproof windows and bomb-proof doors. Should your attacker be an enemy of the state, the car is also able to defend its passengers from both fire and chemical attacks.

A twin-turbocharged 6.7L engine pumps out 505 hp to get any VIP out from 0 to 60 in less than five seconds. With an almost artisanal approach in its construction, the armor is attached during the initial stages of production to ensure proper fit and integration with the car.

Being the head of the Catholic Church can put a big target on your back, which means the Pope travels around in his iconic "Popemobile" during convoys and parades. Last seen during the term of Pope Benedict XVI, the Popemobile is a converted Mercedes M-class that holds the Pope's compartment and features armor-plated side panels along with an armored undercarriage.

While not exactly up for purchase, the Popemobile costs $400,000 and comes with bulletproof glass and an independent oxygen supply for the Pope, should there be a repeat of the St. John Paul II incident. These days, Pope Francis has opted to use simpler cars such as the Ford Focus and a Fiat 500L.

If you're looking for an armored car to bring your entourage with, Inkas Armored built the Huron, a 16-seater armored personnel carrier (APC) capable of withstanding 7.62 mm rounds and hand grenades. The Huron APC features an electronic night vision system, a heavy-duty electronic winch, and even an escape hatch, among other things.

Despite its imposing character, the Huron is maneuverable and lightweight for its size thanks to its 6.7L Turbo Diesel Engine. With the option to add a machine gun on the roof, the Huron APC starts at $485,000 and is marketed towards security agencies and government bodies who are looking to add more protection to their fleet.

Looks can be deceiving, as is the case with the Audi A8 L Security. On the surface, it looks similar to a stock Audi A8, but underneath the facade of unparalleled comfort lies layers of titanium, Kevlar, and steel. The Audi A8 L Security is filled to the brim with B7 armor plating, the best armor available in the market, as well as self-sealing gas tanks that mitigate punctures.

The car even has a fire suppression system under the hood to make combat any flames. While the windows are made of polycarbonate layers to prevent shattering during an explosion, a switch destroys the windshield to allow escape in the worst-case scenario.

Able to withstand high-powered rounds and chemical attacks and powered by a 4.0-liter V8 with twin-turbo, the Audi A8 L Security will set back prospective owners by at least $700,000 and is used by the German government in an official capacity.

Another entry from Inkas is the iconic Mercedes G63 AMG or the G-Wagon, converted into a mobile mini bunker. The build features surveillance cameras and additional security improvements like ballistic protection, gas tank protection, and explosion resistance, all without compromising passenger comfort.

The passenger compartment is fully enclosed in armor protection, while the driver can employ the car's reinforced suspension and run-flat devices to get the car to safety. An option to add fire suppression is available along with a lightweight armor package to add more agility to the car.

The base Mercedes G63 AMG already costs over $150,000, adding the Inkas work bumps up the price to $1.2 million, making this model the choice for celebrities, politicians, and Middle Eastern businessmen.

From A-listers to tin-pot dictators, the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman state limousine has carried prominent figures in its heavily-armored passenger space. The armor placed in this car can resist short-range sniper shots, high-velocity projectiles, and even rocket-propelled grenades.

The Mercedes S600 Pullman has been seen in use by many heads of state, most notably by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

Despite being a bunker on wheels, its 5.5L twin turbo V12 pumps out 517 hp and pushes the vehicle out of sticky situations in four seconds. The car even shows its near-indestructible properties in the movie Fate of the Furious, being chased by a horde of cars.

RELATED: The Mercedes-Benz S 680 GUARD 4MATIC Offers The Highest Protection Level For Civilian Vehicles

When you're the President of the United States, you have a lot of enemies and people who pose a threat to your safety. Only the Presidential Cadillac One, dubbed "The Beast," fits these requirements as it's able to withstand explosions even from bombs thanks to its eight-inch thick armor plates and 5-inch-thick specialized glass. The car also carries its own oxygen supply against chemical attacks and a blood bank that matches the President's blood type.

While most of the specifics are classified, what the public does know is that the doors and windows are protected by at least eight inches of bulletproof material. The 18-foot eight-ton beast is powered by a 6.6L turbo diesel V8 engine shooting out 300 hp. The Beast also has active defense measures like a Bond car, such as oil slicks, smoke screens, and pump-action shotguns that deter attacks from the rear as well as tear gas and rocket launchers that carve a path for The Beast to plow through.

At the very top of the list is a Russian armored luxury vehicle made by Dartz called the Kombat T98 SUV. While it can deflect rifle rounds and even RPGs, the luxurious interior sets the Kombat T98 apart from others in this list. Whale skin, gold plates, and diamond encrusting are some of the exotic and decadent features of its interior.

The T98 Kombat comes in two trims, which are the VIP and the Utility. The VIP features a monocoque double steel body and the highest level of composite armor. With an 8.1L Vortec diesel V8 from General Motors pushing this behemoth down the road, the Kombat T98 carries a heavier price of $1.5 million for prospective buyers.

A part-time writer and a full-time automotive enthusiast. If it has wheels and looks pretty, he's all over it.While he loves European cars more than other cars, nothing can match his love for motorcycles, especially the classic ones. You can find him parked in a café or shredding chicken strips around the twisties.