Just a few weeks have passed since BMW unveiled the 7 Series / i7 Protection, and now yet another armoured vehicle is stepping into the spotlight. The X5 Protection VR6, a familiar presence having been introduced four years ago, is receiving a Life Cycle Impulse update. BMW’s intention is to align the sturdier variant with the recently refreshed standard X5 model.
Drawing parallels with its predecessor, the X5 Protection VR6 remains rooted in the M Performance lineage. However, in synchronisation with the updated non-M X5, it undergoes a transition from the M50i designation to the M60i nomenclature. At the heart of this enhanced armoured vehicle lies the freshly developed S68 engine – a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 powerhouse generating a 530hp and 750Nm of torque.
The X5 M60i’s armoured equivalent is somewhat slower to accelerate to 100km/h than the X5 M60i’s civilian version, which does it in just 4.3 seconds. It can still complete the same sprint in a respectable 5.9 seconds, proving that it is still fairly capable. The ordinary model’s limiter is programmed to interfere at 250km/h, whereas the armoured variant’s top speed is electronically limited to 210km/h. The X5 Protection VR6 still exhibits notable performance traits that guarantee its functionality and agility despite the weight penalty.
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