Armoured vehicle specialists SVI Engineering have launched their SVI LITE product designed to offer cost-effective partial ballistic protection to the general motoring public.
Recognising that the majority of South African motorists cannot afford the significant investment required for B4 and B6 discreet armouring packages, SVI set out to develop a more accessible solution specifically aimed at countering hijacking attempts. The result is the SVI LITE product range.
Positioned between full 360-degree armouring packages and standard smash-and-grab window film, SVI LITE has been developed with mainstream passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles in mind, the company said. “This innovation ensures that protection against hijacking is no longer reserved for high-earning VIPs in luxury vehicles. More individuals, families, and first-time car buyers now have the opportunity to safeguard themselves against this ever-present threat.”
While SVI’s B4 and B6 discreet armouring solutions provide full 360-degree protection for occupants, SVI LITE is focused on the vehicle’s side closures, including the doors and door windows. Customers have the flexibility to specify how many doors they wish to have armoured.
Each armoured door is fitted with shaped and fully concealed Kevlar panels, while the standard side-window glass is replaced with lightweight armoured glass. These components provide level B2 protection, capable of stopping 9 mm, 124-grain rounds fired from a handgun.
“In much the same way that a bullet-resistant vest protects the vital organs of the human body, our new SVI LITE solution covers the critical areas of a vehicle that are typically targeted during a hijacking attempt,” explained Nicol Louw, Business Development Director at SVI.
Despite the additional protection, the armouring components add just 15 kg to each door, ensuring vehicle performance remains virtually unaffected. Additionally, the ballistic glass is light enough to maintain the standard operation of the side windows in most vehicles, allowing unhindered access to parking-ticket machines, biometric readers, and other everyday conveniences.
The revolutionary SVI LITE range debuts with kits for two of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles: the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Ford Ranger. The Corolla Cross, produced in Prospecton, was the country’s second best-selling passenger vehicle in 2024, making it an obvious choice for SVI.
The Ford Ranger, manufactured in Silverton, was South Africa’s top-selling double cab last year and ranked second overall in the country’s bakkie market. Given its popularity, it was also one of the first vehicles earmarked for the SVI LITE programme.
“Since the goal of SVI LITE is to make vehicle armour more accessible to the broader motoring public, we focused on South Africa’s most popular vehicles. While we are launching with the Corolla Cross and Ranger, we will soon expand the range to include the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, and Ford Everest,” said Jaco de Kock, CEO of SVI.
As an official Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) with long-term partner Ford, SVI has 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 Ranger. Importantly, the fitment of the new SVI LITE products to the Everest and Ranger does not affect the original manufacturer warranty or any selected service plans.
Compared to a 360-degree B4 discreet armouring package, which starts at approximately R750,000 (excluding VAT) for a medium-sized SUV, SVI LITE is a far more affordable alternative, SVI said. The price per armoured closure for the Toyota Corolla Cross is R54,950 (excluding VAT), while the same solution for the larger Ford Ranger is priced at R64,950 (excluding VAT).
For example, if a customer opts to protect all four doors and side windows of a Corolla Cross with SVI LITE, the total cost would amount to R219,800 (excluding VAT).
Regardless of the number of closures selected, installation at SVI’s facility near Pretoria takes two weeks. Fitment is scheduled to commence at the beginning of May 2025.
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