BRABUS INVICTO ARMOURED based on Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class (W463A)

INVICTO – ARMORED VEHICLES BASED ON MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS (W463A)

06.03.2020 – With the INVICTO the car manufacturer and general contractor BRABUS AUTOMOTIVE presents in March 2020 a world premiere an armored version of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class und thus sets benchmarks at the same time. The so-called INVICTO Shelter Cell meets OEM factory armoring standards. Among others, hot formed armouring steel plates and as an absolute innovation 3D-printed protection parts are being used for it. The ballistic protection level is VR6, however extended by a side blast protection at the level of a luxury state limousine. And finally the INVICTO VR6 Plus ERV is being certified as a complete vehicle. “ERV” by the way stands for “Explosion Resistant Vehicle” and attests the blast protection. Referring to individual purposes or personal needs the customer can select between three different and exciting lines PURE, LUXURY und MISSION: 

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 quiet at the level of a luxury state limousine.

The added weight of the overall vehicle due to the armor 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.

Brabus Automotive 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 customizations 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.

^{(Source: BRABUS)}