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Luxury car trends are as fickle as a billionaire’s latest obsession – one day, it’s all about low-slung coupes, the next, oversized SUVs dominate, and now, EVs are stealing the show.
But in New York City, the newest status symbol isn’t just speed or luxury – it’s armour. AKA, the ultra-wealthy aren’t just rolling in Lamborghinis and G-Wagons; they’re bulletproofing them.
And no, this isn’t some wannabe spy-movie flex. It’s a direct response to their concern for rising crime, especially high-profile carjackings.
Across the globe, the armoured vehicle market is booming, set to climb from $9.94 billion in 2024 to $10.68 billion in 2025, growing at a steady 7.5% CAGR. While much of this demand still comes from military and law enforcement, a growing number of private buyers also want a rolling fortress, DMARGE reports.
In New York, reports of armed thefts have wealthy residents taking action. Enter Bespoke Home & Yacht Security, led by ex-Austrian commando Matthias Fitzthum, whose team specialises in turning Range Rovers, G-Wagons, and Lamborghinis into high-security havens. As Fitzthum puts it:
“Families and executives are worried about ambushes or random acts of street violence while driving.”
Forget clunky, tank-like aesthetics – modern armoured vehicles blend high-end design with cutting-edge security.
Reinforcements include B6 and B7 ballistic protection (capable of stopping assault rifle rounds), run-flat tires to keep moving after damage, and engine bay fire suppression systems. Hidden strobe lights add another layer of defense, ensuring these vehicles can escape trouble fast.
And because luxury isn’t just about leather seats, these fortresses also feature oxygen overpressure systems that block toxic gases and provide a steady stream of purified air. External intercom systems let passengers communicate with the outside world without rolling down a window – not that they could if they wanted to. Most driver-side glass drops just 10 centimetres, and the rear windows are sealed shut.
Among the most popular choices for Manhattan’s security-conscious elite are the Range Rover Sentinel, Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, and Cadillac Escalade ESV – all combining five-star interiors with military-grade armour. Custom builds start at $250,000 and can hit $1.5 million, depending on security levels.
Sky-high price tags and months-long wait times haven’t slowed demand. In a city where wealth is all about exclusivity, the hottest flex isn’t a rare paint job or a bespoke interior- it’s bulletproofing.
In a world where luxury is no longer just about excess but also about survival, armoured supercars are the new frontier of high-end living.
[Source: DMARGE]
