• SVI Engineering awarded distributor rights in South Africa and into Africa
• PURE, LUXURY, MISSION – three exciting accessory lines for various purposes
• Fully certified armoured vehicle (INVICTO) with innovative Shelter Cell technology and side blast protection
• Brabus G63 performance upgrade available to 588 kW and 1 000 Nm
SVI Engineering, a local leader in vehicle armouring, is the official distributor of Brabus Automotive armoured products in Africa starting with the INVICTO range. The technical capability of the firm as well as its loyal customer base made it an easy choice for Brabus Automotive seeking to expand its footprint on the continent.
Brabus Automotive INVICTO
The INVICTO represents a high-end armoured version of the latest Mercedes-Benz G-Class and is produced by Brabus Automotive located in Bottrop Germany. The so-called INVICTO Shelter Cell meets OEM factory armouring standards and make use of hot-formed armouring steel plates and innovative 3D-printed parts. The ballistic protection level is VR6 (stopping AK47), however it is extended by a side blast protection at the level of a luxury state limousine. And finally, the INVICTO VR6 Plus explosion resistant vehicle (ERV) is currently being developed. Referring to individual purposes or personal needs, the customer can select between three different and exciting lines PURE, LUXURY and MISSION:
PURE – discreet protection
The PURE is the understated INVICTO, just pure protection. With the INVICTO Shelter Cell and all its guarding components, it offers maximum protection at VR6 Plus ERV level. At the same time, however, the exterior and interior remains as close to series production as possible. Therefore, the INVICTO PURE is “undercover” in more than one sense.
LUXURY- safety and style
Safety at the highest level of comfort and individualisation – that’s INVICTO LUXURY. Tailor-made and handcrafted interior in finest leather or Alcantara as well as exterior components and performance upgrades from the BRABUS accessory program. The INVICTO LUXURY – almost invisibly – combines maximum security at level VR6 plus ERV and with a stylish, luxurious interior.
MISSION – special forces ready
The INVICTO MISSION is made for missions and more. Special target groups have specific requirements to an armoured vehicle. With the MISSION Brabus Automotive complies with this in every way and meets the exceptional demands for challenging purposes. With its sophisticated interior and the exterior features, like protection vest compatible integral seats with variable foam geometry, “MOLLE”-system door panels and seat backs, a roof rail system, a digital rear display mirror, the Acetech system with two touch control panels, an intercom system and 20-inch rough profile off road tyres the INVICTO MISSION is especially made for special forces. Of course, the INVICTO MISSION doesn’t only provide reliable protection at VR6 plus ERV level, it also fulfils the highest demands regarding suitability for everyday use, comfort, driving dynamics, active and passive safety as well as manufacturing quality. Therefore, the INVICTO MISSION is the perfect trace protection and escort vehicle with military compatible interior and special exterior features and offers furthermore lifestyle, too.
Individualism is key
For an individual configuration of their INVICTO customers can select for the three different lines various options from the accessory program, for example a lightning and signal systems, auxiliary roof lights, a fire extinguishing system, an infrared package including a night vision device, a fresh air system with filter or an escape hatch, just to mention a few.
Safety cell
The highest technical standards were also paramount for Brabus Automotive when it came to developing the new armoured vehicle based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Right from the very start, the overall ballistic concept was designed for a maximum protective effect corresponding to the level of OEM factory armour plating. Unlike with other retroactively armour plated vehicles, the components of the protection system were not individually welded into the vehicle’s bodywork structure. Rather, the engineers at Brabus Automotive developed a self-contained, self-supporting, bolted structural cell, the so-called INVICTO Shelter Cell. It is inserted into the body shell in a disassembled state and then constructed. One of the structural features of the shelter cell is the zero-joints design. The armour components are mounted to the shelter cell without any gaps. Unavoidable weld seams, on the doors for example, are achieved with material overlapping and so-called labyrinths. The design of the upper windscreen frame is also innovative. Christian Draser: “For the first time anywhere in the world, we’re using protective elements here, which are produced in an additional manufacturing process in a 3D printer. We’re definitely the first to do it.”
The shelter cell is validated using the latest processes and methods, which are also being used at the OEM. The development team at Brabus Automotive combined virtual simulation procedures with real tests on test samples. It was only once the individual elements of the shelter cell proved their protective effect that the entire cell was tested in the vehicle. Every single material pairing, and screw connection was tested by being shot at from several angles and at projectile speeds which are well beyond the standard speed of the calibre being protected against. Furthermore, individual assemblies were also subjected to several explosions in preliminary tests in a so-called blast frame. Brabus Automotive is taking its own time-consuming path here, too, as the effect of special protective measures is not usually specifically tested for retrofitted vehicles. “By contrast, we have the entire vehicle certified by an accredited German ballistics authority, both with regard to being fired upon and being subjected to explosions as per resistance class VR6 Plus ERV,” says Christian Draser. The side blast protection (ERV) is at the level of a luxury state limousine.
G-Class uprated
To ensure a high degree of driving dynamics, Brabus Automotive equips the chassis with reinforced springs, stabilisers and shock absorbers. The shock absorbers of the active chassis now have a pipe diameter of 60 instead of the previous 50 mm. A modified braking system with 402 mm brake discs and six-piston brake callipers at the front and 380 mm brake discs and four-piston callipers at the back ensure adequate deceleration, even with the maximum additional load. Wheels with increased load-bearing capacity and a special run-flat system developed by Brabus Automotive round off the chassis adjustments of the vehicle.
The added weight of the overall vehicle due to the armour plating is comparatively low at around 1 000 kilograms, but the load-bearing capacity of the chassis must be modified to meet the high requirements of Brabus Automotive when it comes to driving dynamics and life span. The necessary adjustments cover the entire front and rear axle construction of the vehicle. The entire wheel suspension, for example, has been replaced by own new development, while frame reinforcements around the longitudinal beams and the spring dome increase the strength of the original vehicle structure. The obligatory verification of the new construction included simulations using the finite element method (FEM), component analyses, stationary endurance runs and road tests. Thanks to this process established by Brabus Automotive, the extreme lifespan requirement can be ensured in accordance with OEM requirements, even with materials under the greatest of loads.
Power on demand
Maximum performance for the G63 can be increased by opting for the BRABUS B40S-800 performance kit. Each kit consists of two BRABUS special turbochargers with larger compressor units (52 mm diameter) and modified core assemblies with reinforced axial bearings. The performance increase is completed with the BRABUS PowerXtra control module for the engine control unit. In addition to a bump in peak torque from 850 Nm to 1 000 Nm, the rated output jumps by 158 kW from 430 kW to 588 kW.
INVICTO Pricing and warranty
• PURE from R 5.4m*
• LUXURY from R 5.4m*
• MISSION from R 6.2m*
*Pricing excludes base vehicle, shipping, taxes and the rand value is an estimate.
Brabus Automotive offers a 2-year/100 000 km warranty on its products based on the conversion of a new Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
About Brabus Automotive
Brabus Automotive is a subsidiary of Brabus Gmbh and has a wealth of experience. For years they assist car manufacturers across the world with development and production, from limited edition and small-series vehicle derivatives all the way through to factory solutions. As a result, Brabus Automotive, part of the Brabus Group, has developed a reputation within the automotive industry as a premium specialist providing products and customisations to the highest level of OEM quality. “We usually implement projects as a general contractor for car manufacturers according to the turnkey principle. Brabus Automotive takes on overall responsibility for the entire process of product development, vehicle development and production,” explains Christian Draser, CEO of Brabus Automotive. In addition, Brabus Automotive also develops, produces and distributes vehicles on its own.
About SVI engineering
SVI was formed in 2004 as an innovative mechanical engineering and rapid-product development firm with capabilities in product design, finite element analysis, development, product evaluation and manufacturing of armoured products. SVI is BEE level 2 and its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV Rheinland.
