PM’s new ride: bomb-tested, AK-47 proof BMW fleet hits the road

The government’s new  fleet of armoured BMWs has officially been rolled out, with Tony Abbott arriving at the Prime Minister's XI cricket match in Canberra yesterday in his brand-spanking 7 Series.

The High Security vehicle is said to be able to withstand bomb blasts, as well as fire from high calibre and automatic weapons such as the AK-47 - which seems reasonable, considering the $500,000 price tag.

Loaded with a V-12 engine, the vehicle boasts an 'impenetrable second skin' designed to withstand explosions, as well as a self-sealing petrol tank and tyres that cannot be deflated.

The high security vehicles were first used in Brisbane last year to transport foreign dignitaries around the G20 conference, and are now being used regularly as the old prime ministerial fleet of Holden Caprices – purchased by John Howard in 2003 – are put to out to pasture.

There has been criticism of the government's decision to grant BMW the tender, with some arguing that Holden, which no longer manufactures cars in Australia, should have been given the contract.

Late last year, Labor Senator Kim Carr accused the Government, via his website, of having a ‘vendetta against automotive manufacturing in Australia.’

However, the government maintains that the $6.3 million contract – which BMW did not originally bid for – went to the German manufacturer because it was "the best value for money".

Compared to US president Barack Obama's $1.5 million Cadillac -  known as 'The Beast' – that might be true.

Source: The Age
Author: Nick Alexander, Approving editor: Martin Zavan