BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, Videos, BMW

Click above to watch the video after the jump

It's not without reason that BMWs are among the top choices for high-security personnel transport. BMW Security vehicles - armor-reinforced versions of the standard roadcars we see on the road every day - are known to be both secure and responsive to quick, often life-saving maneuvers. But what good would these vehicles be if their drivers didn't know how to handle them properly?

That's why BMW has a security vehicle training facility in East Germany. Built on the grounds of what was once the largest Cold War air base in Europe, the center is run by advanced driving instructor Klaus Heimerl, who shows chauffeurs and security personnel how to evade any number of potentially threatening situations, from ambushes to roadside bombs.

Of course, BMW isn't the only automaker offering armor-reinforced versions of its vehicles. Nor is it the only company offering this kind of evasive - and potentially life-saving - driving instruction. And while this level of protection might not factor into the daily driving routines of most drivers in the United States, for many drivers in many countries, it could make all the difference between life and death in scenarios that arise on a near-daily basis.

Continue reading...

Continue reading BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base

BMW teaches evasive driving techniques at Cold War air base originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Israel orders million-dollar armored Audi A8

Noah Joseph — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Audi, Police/Emergency, Specialty, Middle East

2011 Audi A8L - Click above for high-res image gallery

The President of the United States may be the highest target for assassination in the world - hence Cadillac One, his custom, leather-lined tank - but there's no shortage of people in the Middle East who'd bite that the opportunity to take a shot at the Prime Minister of Israel. (The recently commemorated assassination of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is evidence enough.) It comes as no surprise that the Shin-Bet - Israel's national domestic preventative security force - has ordered a new armored limousine to transport the country's head of government.

The duties had been carried out until now by a motor pool of American and German vehicles, accompanied by Japanese SUVs in leapfrog formation (it's a wonder to behold if you're ever seen them in motion), but will soon be taken over by a specially-commissioned Audi A8 Security.

The car is reportedly based on the Audi A8 (likely the long-wheelbase version) with the 450-horsepower, 6-liter W-12 engine, Quattro all-wheel drive, B6+ and B7 ballistic protection, run-flat tires, an independent oxygen supply for the cabin, a fire-suppression system, explosive charges to free the doors in case of shockwaves, a DVD entertainment system, drinks fridge and humidor (Netanyahu's a known cigar aficionado). Those, of course, are just the features we know about, and given Israel's leading position in security equipment, we don't doubt there's plenty more that remains undisclosed. The car is said to cost around $700K from the factory, but add the country's incredibly high taxes - which the government still has to pay, but not on the security equipment - and you're looking at a cool million.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8 L

[Source: Globes]

Report: Israel orders million-dollar armored Audi A8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments