Ordinarily, a minister’s official vehicle isn’t something that we would report on, unless it’s the replacement of the entire fleet. But when the said minister is prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and the car is a bulletproof BMW 7 Series, one has to take notice.
UPDATE: The prime minister’s department has clarified that the BMW 7 Series Protection was an existing government asset loaned to PM Anwar Ibrahim, and that his official vehicle – a Mercedes-Benz S580e gifted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar – was undergoing maintenance.
To an untrained eye, the car sighted at the Teksi Madani launch presents itself as simply an ordinary pre-facelifted G70 7er, albeit riding on smaller 20-inch Style 905 alloy wheels compared to the 21s often found on Malaysian-spec models.
So far, so normal, but then you spot the abnormally thick frames around the windscreens and windows, as well as the rather plump tyres – and you realise that this car is heavily armoured. It is, in fact, the 7 Series Protection, which has been toughened up in-house to be resistant not just to gunfire, but also explosions. The number plate (with an Auto Bavaria holder, because of course) is apt, because this thing will indeed make you go, “Wah!”
The process to armour a 7 Series starts right at the Dingolfing plant (no CKD local assembly here, obviously) with the BMW Protection Core, a body structure that in itself incorporates armoured hot-formed steel for the first time. This is then layered with a blast-resistant roof and underbody to protect against drone strikes and hand grenades, as well as safety glass with a polycarbonate inner layer.
Also fitted is a self-sealing fuel tank that prevents any loss of fuel as a result of a bullet-induced puncture. Speaking of punctures, the unassuming Michelin Primacy 4 tyres hide the French tyre maker’s proprietary PAX run-flat technology that uses a solid ring around the wheels themselves, rather than simply having stiffer sidewalls as per passenger run-flats. This allows the car to be driven on a flat tyre at speeds of up to 80 km/h.
The result of all this beefing up is that the 7 Series Protection has been certified VR9 bullet and explosive resistant by Germany’s Association of Test Laboratories for Attack-Resistant Materials and Constructions (VPAM), with the glass even rated at the highest VPAM 10, meaning it can withstand 7.62x54mm R sniper and machine gun ammunition. The car can be optioned with extended VPAM 10 protection in certain areas.
The added heft that comes with the armouring means that the 7 Series Protection needs some serious firepower of its own. You can get this car with nothing less than the full-fat i7 M70‘s electric powertrain – the first bulletproof EV, natch – but this particular unit’s quad tailpipes marks this out as a petrol model.
No straight-six here, either – under the bonnet lies an S68 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 and a 48-volt mild hybrid system that together produce 530 PS and 750 Nm of torque, with xDrive all-wheel drive fitted as standard. Even so, the increased weight (despite the savings that come with armouring the structure itself, rather than simply layering on armoured panels) means the Protection takes 2.4 seconds longer to get from zero to 100 km/h than the equivalent 760i, at 6.6 seconds. Top speed is rated at 210 km/h.
Under the fortified skin, the Protection gets modified and retuned suspension built to handle the added weight, with BMW claiming that the Protection Core’s relatively lower weight aids agility. This is bolstered by the standard fitment of rear-wheel steering, said to be unique in the segment
Further setting the Protection apart from the proletarian 7 Series are the almost-invisible blue flashing grille lights and the obligatory limo pennant holders for attaching flags. Also fitted as standard are auto doors (without the usual outward-presenting buttons, presumably to protect from sabotage), as well as multifunction seats upholstered in Merino leather. The roller sun shades come with a special “spy” position that allows PMX to get a peek at what’s outside while remaining visually shielded.
All this makes the 7 Series Protection an ideal car for Malaysia Madani’s lead spokesperson – discreet yet still imposing, with a good deal of protection (although not quite the level of his contemporaries Donald Trump or Xi Jinping). Are you impressed by Anwar’s ride of choice, or do you think he should stick to his Toyota Camry? Let us know in the comments.
GALLERY: G70 BMW 7 Series Protection official photos
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Can an armor plated Proton X90 could do the same job ?
seriously speaking, no a fwd 180hp is not enough to handle the additional 1-ton weight.
What official car you like
to see our PM getting?
(1) BMW/ MERC/ PORSCHE
(2) TOYOTA/ HONDA/ JDM
(3) GMW/ XPENG/ GEELY
(4) PROTON/ PERODUA
I am glad he didnt overspent for an outdated R&B
What about the S Class given to him by Agong?
maybe this also given to him by YDPA
S Class inside workshop repairing
in malaysia a camry is more than enough…preferably a x70 premium version since he will have other escort cars and police every where he goes. Malaysia is a peaceful country… it;s safe to even for PM to go to mamak at 1am by himself.
Yes, with the violent chaos going on in other parts of the world, Malaysia is fortunate to be a peaceful country. However, that does not mean that it is acceptable to be complacent with the nation’s security. The 2:30am attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in May 2024 shows that we can’t afford to let our guard down and hence the security measures, including a bulletproof official car for the head of government.
Yes we are a peaceful country. But when a PM is as disliked as Anwar at the moment, anything can happen. Remember during Najib’s time, the mindless hordes were easily brainwashed to try and ambush him at Subang Airport because of some dumb illogical lies about him trying to flee the country. Malaysia is a safe country but 90% of our population are not smart and are easily instigated to doing dumb things like protest rallies that easily turn violent.
Your fave pm is safe and sound in kajang
After PMX ride in The Beast, he also want to follow Trump.
thats ironic, because long wheelbase sedan got risk of getting stuck over malaysia high road hump
PMX, please no excise tax and duty tax on road vehicle. Float the petrol and diesel. Electricity already floated, TNB making a lot of money now. Let Petronas make a lot of money too.
If car price got no crazy tax, I can start start save up a little by litte like a former first lady, to buy my dream cars.
As the leader of a country, he should use this instead of Camby
Perhaps the most dreaded phrase to be heard at the back seat of this fortress/prison on wheels is “You suka?”
MITI should ban all foreign car in government so that can support local automotive industry. 700k malay and bangla jobs in danger if not taken seriously. Should have use bulletproof Perodua Bezza
Just hope no hater will ask our PM to take Malaysia’s King of the Road (MYVI)
Our PM deserves it!
Sultan Ibrahim’s give for his servant to use right.
haha good one, and sadly with a hint of truth to it, as PMX favorite phrase he always like to say – “i leave it to the YDPA” , “its the agong decision” , etc.
Malaysia’s system of government is the parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Thus, the Malaysian PM at least knows where the boundaries of his authority are, unlike a certain foreign leader on the other side of the world who frequently breaks his oath to defend & uphold his country’s constitution.
Wonder if he insist on paying roadtax himself…
Actually, vehicles owned by the Malaysian federal and state governments are fully exempted from paying road tax.
Who knows…he did hoot about paying market price for ron95
Msia being a strong critic of Zionism, well our leaders deserve this protection especially with recent cases of leader assassination inclined strategy of Zionist government…
Don’t worry, the CIA will protect their installed government assets from any Zionist interference.
CIA installed regimes are typically Zionist friendly.
A BMW car used recently by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is not a new official vehicle, but an existing government asset being used temporarily while his official car undergoes maintenance.
The Prime Minister’s Departmentcom said the vehicle belongs to the Protocol and International Conference Secretariat Division.
It said the vehicle is used for official national purposes, including transporting visiting heads of state and government, in line with international protocol and security requirements.
“For this purpose, the vehicle is required to meet high-security specifications designed to withstand high-calibre ballistic threats, explosions, and modern security risks, including drone threats.
“The vehicle was selected for temporary use by the prime minister based on the advice and security assessment of the police after the official vehicle, which had been bestowed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, underwent maintenance,” it said.
He should be using a Bufori assembled in Kepong!