Changes That You Feel Driving An Armoured Vehicle Over An Unarmoured One

As more fluid changes are taking place across the world, the need for armoured cars has suddenly seen an upward thrust. It is far too common nowadays to see regular, well-to-do people preferring an armoured vehicle to ensure their safety. While bulletproof car manufacturers often focus on how safe they are making your car when armouring it up, there is something that they often overlook in their briefs to their customers. It is how the performance of armoured vehicles is so much different than their unarmoured counterparts that it feel like you are in an entirely new car.

It is no secret that an armoured vehicle is heavier than an unarmoured one. With a CEN BR6 level of protection, a large-sized SUV can weigh up to 2.5 tonnes heavier than the stock model. This means that there need to be certain measures in place to manage all of that weight. And the driver of the armoured car is part of that. You can’t just expect a regular Joe with a driver’s licence to wage out a bulletproof BMW 7-series out of any danger. That is why there are specialist schools out there that issue valid certificates in evasive driving to their students before they let any of them chauffeur important clients across the globe.

For the initiates, realizing the true performance of armoured vehicles is something of a challenge. The first thing you notice when climbing into such a car is how heavy the door is and how tight the steering feels. It might also be their first encounter with the engine immobilizer system that shuts down the car if the proper ignition sequence is not entered. Many of the driving luxuries like cruise control and lane-keep assist are stripped away, granting you absolute control over the car and its capabilities.

On the move, the acceleration is unchanged and most of the roughness of the road smooths out surprisingly easily. That is because of the upgraded engine and suspension systems that ensure a swift getaway in the face of an ambush. Some bulletproof car manufacturers also include features like surround-view cameras, sonar sensors, and tyre pressure monitoring systems to lend you eyes everywhere you can’t physically see without stepping out of your car. All these are meant to increase the awareness of your surroundings, keeping you alert of all possible threats.

The weight of an armoured car comes into play drastically when you try to turn at higher speeds. There is a noticeable loss of precision, since the run-flat tyres aren’t very conscious of grip and the extra weight tries to sway the car in the direction opposite of where you want it to turn. It is this weight that you need to compensate for. The brakes would work much better than before but the tyres and weight change the way the vehicle behaves at high speed. It is best to hit a specialist driving school or a local track to find out just how much the handling of the vehicle has changed. If you’ve just gotten the vehicle delivered from any of the reliable bulletproof car manufacturers, it is best to hire a trained driver than drive it yourself.

There are many of the luxuries that you would find in a stock car that are let out in favour of safety for an armoured one. It is important to understand that the driver should know exactly how the vehicle behaves to get out of a prickly situation. This means that safety systems like ABS and EBD are often not present to keep the car drive convenient, yet their removal is crucial to lend the driver more control over the armoured car.

In the heat of the moment, it is best to keep a cool head. When your car is being attacked, road rules and speed limits go right out the window. The car may need to go the wrong way, over coarse terrain, or even through barriers and solid objects to make its escape. Thus, many bulletproof car manufacturers often conduct their own safety tests that are much more punishing than regular NHTSA and NCAP versions. Not to mention the firearm simulations to test the quality of armour and bullet-resistant glass on board.

Driving an armoured car is trickier than a regular one. It not only takes some time getting used to but often demands of training and more familiarity with the car’s systems than most other regular drivers. While there are plenty of bulletproof car manufacturers that would leave you out to dry, some good ones like JCBL Armouring Solutions would help you get the most out of your armoured vehicle long-term. In addition to a thorough consultation process that translates to high-quality armour fitments, they can also help you get more familiar with your car and provide services to keep the safety maintained for years to come.

We are a leading armoured vehicle manufacturer in India with a team of over 25 years’ experience in engineering, designing, prototyping and manufacturing of armoured cars and vehicles for government, military and civilians.