Machine gun-toting BMW

High powered individuals and security conscious celebrities can now pick a super safe BMW 7 Series that stops bullets and shrugs off bomb blasts. Among the options on the 7 Series High Security is a gun case with compartments for two machine guns in the centre console. Based on the 750Li or 760Li, the new High Security models' specification reads more like a battle tank than a luxury car. Offering ballistic protection to level VR7 overall - and VR9 on its non-transparent body areas - BMW's High Security models boast greater protection than some military vehicles.

Ensuring that heads of state, high worth business people and celebrities are safe from flying bullets and explosives are run-flat tyres, unique armour plating throughout its structure and a newly developed multi-layered safety glazing that's six centimetres thick. BMW is understandably keeping quiet about the exact specifications of the armouring, but it claims that being built from scratch as a High Security model rather than retrofitted with armouring has serious advantages for security.

Even with all the additional weight the 760Li High security can sprint to 62mph in 6.2 seconds, the 750Li taking 7.9 seconds. Both are electronically limited to 130mph, BMW claiming that the driving dynamics are 'typical' of the 7 Series range.

It's the options list that makes the most interesting reading though. Along with the possibility of specifying those machine gun storage compartments owners can also add a fire extinguishing system, an internal fresh air system for gas attacks, LED flashing lights and numerous radio and external speaker systems. Tantalisingly, BMW claims to offer a discreet consultancy to accommodate its exclusive circle of customers, suggesting your wish is its command. As you might expect if your passengers carry weapons...

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Kyle Fortune