- SVI LITE launches as vehicle-armour game-changer
- Cost-effective, partial protection for general public
- Initially available for Corolla Cross and Ford Ranger
- Hilux, Fortuner and Everest options coming soon
SVI Engineering, leading specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, is proud to announce the official launch of SVI LITE, a groundbreaking new product aimed at providing cost-effective partial ballistic protection to the general motoring public.
Well aware that the average South African motorist simply cannot afford the significant investment that B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages require, SVI set about developing a considerably more cost-effective solution designed specifically to combat hijacking attempts. The SVI LITE product range was thus born.
Slotting in below the aforementioned 360-degree armouring packages but well above common smash-and-grab window film, SVI LITE was conceived with mainstream passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles in mind. As such, protection against hijacking is no longer the preserve of high-earning VIPs in exclusive luxury vehicles; many more individuals, families and even first-time car buyers can now safeguard themselves against this ever-present threat.
SVI LITE OFFERS COST-EFFECTIVE, PARTIAL PROTECTION
While SVI’s renowned B4 and B6 discreet armouring solutions provide full 360-degree protection to occupants, SVI LITE is limited to the vehicle’s side closure (i.e., door and door window), with the customer further able to specify how many doors are armoured.
In each case, the vehicle door gains carefully shaped and fully concealed Kevlar panels, while the standard side-window glass is replaced with special lightweight armoured glass. Together, these components deliver level B2 protection and are thus rated to stop 9 mm, 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun.
“In much the same way as a bullet-resistant vest provides protection to vital organs of the human body, our new SVI LITE solution covers critical areas of the vehicle that are typically targeted during a hijacking attempt,” explained SVI Business Development Director, Nicol Louw.
In total, the armouring components add just 15 kg to each door, meaning vehicle performance is virtually unaffected. Furthermore, the ballistic glass is light enough to allow for the standard operation of the side windows in most vehicles, resulting in unhindered access to parking-ticket machines, biometric readers and the like.
DEVELOPED FOR SOME OF SA’S MOST POPULAR VEHICLES
The game-changing new SVI LITE range launches with kits for two of South Africa’s most popular vehicles: the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Ford Ranger. The Prospecton-built Corolla Cross was SA’s second best-selling passenger vehicle in 2024 and was thus an obvious choice for SVI.
The Ranger, meanwhile, was the country’s top-selling double cab last year, also securing second on the list of SA’s best-selling bakkies overall. Like the Corolla Cross, this Silverton-made success story was one of the first vehicles that sprung to mind when the Bashewa-based firm began planning the SVI LITE range.
“Since SVI LITE originated from an idea to make vehicle armour more accessible to the broader motoring public, it made sense for us to focus on some of South Africa’s most popular vehicles. And, while we’re launching with the Corolla Cross and Ranger, we will soon extend this range to the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest,” said Jaco de Kock, CEO of SVI.
As SVI has earned Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) status with long-term partner Ford – resulting in factory-backed B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages for the Everest and Ranger, as well as a B6 Stopgun V3.0 security kit for the latter – fitment of the new SVI LITE products on the Everest and Ranger likewise have no impact on the original manufacturer warranty or any selected service plans.
COST AND BUILD TIME
Compared with 360-degree B4 discreet armour – which, for a medium-sized SUV, starts at approximately R750,000 (excluding VAT) – SVI LITE is particularly cost effective. The price per closure for the Toyota Corolla Cross is R54,950 (excluding VAT), a figure that rises to R64,950 (excluding VAT) in the case of the larger Ford Ranger.
So, as an example, should a customer wish to have all four doors and side windows of a Corolla Cross protected using the new SVI LITE solution, the total would come to R219,800 (excluding VAT).
· Corolla Cross: LITE SVI armour, per closure – R54,950 (ex VAT)
· Ford Ranger: LITE SVI armour, per closure – R64,950 (ex VAT)
Regardless of the number of closures specified, fitment at SVI’s world-class facility outside Pretoria takes just two weeks. Installations are scheduled to start from the beginning of May 2025.
