Customers can contact their Toyota dealer and have their vehicle sent to an armoring specialist.
Toyota has partnered with several Brazilian armour specialists to offer bulletproof versions of its Corolla, Corolla Cross, Hilux pick-up and SW4 (Fortuner) models in the country.
Armor specialists Avalon, Carbon, Evolution Brindagens and Parvi Brindados are all certified by Toyota. The bulletproof armor will be offered as an optional extra and can be purchased in showrooms. Toyota claims that the armor can be fitted to new cars as well as pre-2020 models. However, Toyota dealers will assess whether the vehicle can withstand the treatment.
Toyota claims that the armoring will not compromise the vehicle’s design or performance, but that the added weight will reduce fuel efficiency.
Customers who opt for armor can contact their Toyota dealer to have one of their experts send their car over. The car will be fitted with body panels that are reinforced using special compounds, including an opaque bulletproof composite option that is said to be 80% lighter than steel. The car will also be fitted with thick EVO-X glass that complies with the country’s standard specifications.
The armor should enable the vehicle to withstand weapons such as small firearms, bats and metal pipes, but it offers no protection against larger caliber guns or explosives.
The cost of armor is in addition to the price of the car. Armoring a Toyota Corolla will cost about $34,385, while bulletproofing a Hilux will cost about $44,640. Toyota and its armoring experts also offer a five-year warranty on their installation services and a five to 10-year warranty on the armoring materials.
Source: AutoEvolution