Earlier in 2025, the Bashewa-based company introduced the innovative SVI LITE product range, which slots in below its B4 discreet and B6 discreet 360-degree armouring packages but well above smash-and-grab window film. Launched with the Toyota Corolla Cross and Ford Ranger, the SVI LITE treatment has since been extended to several other models, from the diminutive Suzuki Jimny right through to the Audi Q7 – and now it’s the Cayenne Coupé’s turn.

“In addition to its cost-effectiveness when compared to full 360-degree ballistic protection, one of the key drawcards of our lightweight SVI LITE partial armouring solution is the fact the vehicle’s general usability is virtually unaffected. In this case, that means the Cayenne Coupé remains very much a sportscar,” said SVI Business Development Director, Nicol Louw.

SVI LITE FOR CAYENNE COUPÉ

As with other SVI LITE packages, this anti-hijack solution for the Cayenne Coupé is limited to the side closures (i.e., doors and door windows), with the customer given the opportunity to specify how many doors are to be armoured.

All chosen doors gain carefully shaped and fully concealed Kevlar panels, while the standard side-window glass is replaced with special lightweight armoured glass. Together, these components deliver Level B2 protection and are thus rated to stop 9 mm, 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun.

In total, the armouring components add less than 15 kg to each door, meaning vehicle performance is virtually unaffected – regardless of whether the solution is applied to 260 kW Cayenne Coupé, the 349 kW Cayenne S Coupé, the 368 kW Cayenne GTS Coupé or the 485 kW Cayenne Turbo GT Cayenne Turbo GT (or indeed any of the “e-hybrid” iterations).

Furthermore, the special ballistic glass used in the SVI LITE package allows for the standard operation of the side windows. As such, the driver enjoys completely unhindered access to parking-ticket machines, biometric readers and the like, while passengers are able to operate their windows, too.

COST AND BUILD TIME

Compared with 360-degree B4 discreet armour – which, for a similarly sized SUV, starts at approximately R850,000 (excluding VAT) – SVI LITE is particularly cost effective, with the price per closure for the Porsche Cayenne Coupé starting at R74,950 (excluding VAT). Regardless of the number of closures specified, fitment at SVI’s facility outside Pretoria takes just two weeks.

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At its stand in Hall 3 at Gallagher Estate, SVI is showcasing multiple vehicles for the commercial and private security markets as well as police and law enforcement. SVI Business Development Director Nicol Louw explained to ProtectionWeb that the lightest, most cost effective solution it has is its B2 LITE protection solution for the driver and passenger doors of vehicles. Focusing mostly on civilian use, this partial armouring provides protection against small-calibre handguns (9 mm) in the area most likely to be targeted in an attack.

The kit consists of 13 mm B2 rated ballistic glass, with the windows still fully functional, as well as a Kevlar door sheet protecting more than 80% of the door area, for a total weight of 15 kg per door. Louw likens this to a bullet-resistant vest for vehicles, protecting vital areas. The B2 LITE armour costs around R65 000 per door for a Ford Ranger, and R55 000 for a Toyota Corolla Cross.

On the bigger end of the scale, SVI brought its MAX SWAT armoured vehicle, able to carry 12 crew and provide protection against assault rifles and other threats. It was designed for various sectors, from police and correctional services to private security and the military.

The 12-seater MAX SWAT can carry a payload of more than 2 tonnes. It can be fitted with an optional auxiliary power unit (APU) capable of independently running the air-conditioning system as well as any specialised systems (such as ground radars and long-range cameras) that the client may wish to include. These can be accommodated in two cargo bay areas at the rear corners of the vehicle. At Securex 2025, the vehicle is fitted with a mast-mounted Hensoldt South Africa Bushbaby 100 electro-optical surveillance system.

The SVI MAX SWAT has a build time of three months and is priced from R4.4 million, and is the most expensive vehicle on the company’s stand. On the smaller end of the scale, SVI displayed an armoured Jeep Grand Cherokee, an armoured Toyota Hilux fitted with a ‘drone in a box’ (ideal for mining security and other tasks) as well as its lightweight MAX 3 armoured personnel carrier, based on Toyota’s proven Land Cruiser 79 series chassis.

At last year’s Securex SVI unveiled its new Golf 8 GTI response vehicle with bullet resistance against AK-47 calibre rifles. The discreetly armoured hatchback offers protection against handguns and rifles up to 7.62×39 mm, including the pervasive AK-47.

SVI specialises in the armouring of civilian vehicles, luxury vehicles, security vehicles, and the manufacture of MAX-series armoured personnel carriers (APCs), armoured truck cabs, and armoured guard houses, amongst others. Since establishment in 2004, SVI has manufactured or converted approximately 3 000 vehicles, with customers in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Although SVI has a list of preferred vehicles it armours for the sake of ease of modification, the company can armour just about any vehicle, from Volvo to Maserati. Its typical private customers fit armour to BMW sedans and SUVs and Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser/Prado models. Apart from manufacturing, SVI has an armoured fleet rental division as well as a test track and driver training academy.

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Recognising that the majority of South African motorists cannot afford the significant investment required for B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages, SVI set out to develop a more accessible solution specifically aimed at countering hijacking attempts. The result is the SVI LITE product range.

Positioned between full 360-degree armouring packages and standard smash-and-grab window film, SVI LITE has been developed with mainstream passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles in mind. This innovation ensures that protection against hijacking is no longer reserved for high-earning VIPs in luxury vehicles. More individuals, families, and first-time car buyers now have the opportunity to safeguard themselves against this ever-present threat.

While SVI’s renowned B4 and B6 discreet armouring solutions provide full 360-degree protection for occupants, SVI LITE is focused on the vehicle’s side closures, including the doors and door windows. Customers have the flexibility to specify how many doors they wish to have armoured.

Each armoured door is fitted with carefully shaped and fully concealed Kevlar panels, while the standard side-window glass is replaced with lightweight armoured glass. These components provide level B2 protection, capable of stopping 9 mm, 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun.

“In much the same way that a bullet-resistant vest protects the vital organs of the human body, our new SVI LITE solution covers the critical areas of a vehicle that are typically targeted during a hijacking attempt,” explained Nicol Louw, Business Development Director at SVI.

Despite the additional protection, the armouring components add just 15 kg to each door, ensuring vehicle performance remains virtually unaffected. Additionally, the ballistic glass is light enough to maintain the standard operation of the side windows in most vehicles, allowing unhindered access to parking-ticket machines, biometric readers, and other everyday conveniences.

The revolutionary SVI LITE range debuts with kits for two of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles: the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Ford Ranger. The Corolla Cross, produced in Prospecton, was the country’s second best-selling passenger vehicle in 2024, making it an obvious choice for SVI.

The Ford Ranger, manufactured in Silverton, was South Africa’s top-selling double cab last year and ranked second overall in the country’s bakkie market. Given its popularity, it was also one of the first vehicles earmarked for the SVI LITE programme.

“Since the goal of SVI LITE is to make vehicle armour more accessible to the broader motoring public, we focused on South Africa’s most popular vehicles. While we are launching with the Corolla Cross and Ranger, we will soon expand the range to include the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Everest,” said Jaco de Kock, CEO of SVI.

As an official Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) with long-term partner Ford, SVI has factory-backed B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages for the Everest and Ranger, as well as a B6 Stopgun V3.0 security kit for the Ranger. Importantly, the fitment of the new SVI LITE products to the Everest and Ranger does not affect the original manufacturer warranty or any selected service plans.

Compared to a 360-degree B4 discreet armouring package, which starts at approximately R750,000 (excluding VAT) for a medium-sized SUV, SVI LITE is a far more affordable alternative. The price per armoured closure for the Toyota Corolla Cross is R54,950 (excluding VAT), while the same solution for the larger Ford Ranger is priced at R64,950 (excluding VAT).

For example, if a customer opts to protect all four doors and side windows of a Corolla Cross with SVI LITE, the total cost would amount to R219,800 (excluding VAT).

Regardless of the number of closures selected, installation at SVI’s world-class facility near Pretoria takes just two weeks. Fitment is scheduled to commence at the beginning of May 2025.

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