Knight XV based on F350

[csv8]

NO, it's not an extra from the Transformers movie. It's the Knight XV, a Canadian-made armoured vehicle that looks like a Hummer on steroids.

And with a right-hand-drive version available, it could be coming to Australia, according to Conquest Vehicles spokesman Seth Feller.

"Right now we are speaking with several Aussies who have expressed interest in acquiring the Knight XV and anticipate having a few within the next 12 months Down Under," he said.

"We are working on pricing the Knight XV with right-hand drive and estimate that the cost would be around $US400,000."

At 6m long and 2.5m high, the Knight XV is substantially bigger than a Hummer H2.

It is based on Ford's F35 pick-up truck, but bigger. Much bigger. Like 5.5 tonnes.

Most of that weight is in the steel armour plating and 6cm-thick armoured glass. The doors alone are so heavy they have reinforced hinges.

Feller said their market was people who needed luxury as well as security.

"Our target market consists of high net worth individuals, professional athletes, music artists, heads of state, automotive collectors who are looking for a bespoke vehicle which delivers both top-notch security and luxury," he said.

"Also, due to the sheer size of the Knight XV, anyone who likes making a grand entrance would certainly enjoy the Knight XV experience."

The Knight XV comes standard with night-vision cameras front and rear, a roof-mounted camera and tyres that will survive most gunfire, but still operate if shot out.

Security options include more surveillance cameras, an external listening device, under-vehicle magnetic attachment detector to locate explosives, a GPS transmitter, bolt lock door system, roof-mounted searchlight, oxygen survival kit, smoke security system, fire extinguisher and Black Box.

The Knight XV is powered by a 6.8-litre V10 Ford engine with 298kW of power and a massive 677Nm of torque. If that's not enough power, a turbocharger is also available.

For the greenies, it will also run on 85 per cent ethanol mixture and a diesel engine is available as an option.

The company calls it their "first ultra-luxurious, fully armoured, environmentally-respectful handcrafted SUV".

However, the fitting of a 151-litre fuel tank and the option of an auxiliary tank indicates it doesn't have great economy.

No fuel consumption or CO2 emission figures are available.

The Knight XV sits on 20-inch wheels with massive 40-inch desert tyres and has 4WD with a five-speed auto transmission.

But just because it's big, ugly and armour-plated doesn't mean it doesn't have luxury appointments.

Inside there are six leather seats with a conference table, wool carpets, DVD entertainment system, suede trim and laptop stations in the rear.

If that's not luxurious enough, options include sleeper seating, a driver partition, heated seats, large flat-screen satellite TV, curtains in the rear, a refreshments bar, cooler box, cigar humidor and a safe.

Each vehicle takes about 1500 hours to build by hand and only 100 of the machines will be made available as a limited first run.

[Kommandant]

Need pics

[Mark351]

[snappy]

Ill be tango you be cash , lets go break stuff

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by snappy84

Ill be tango you be cash , lets go break stuff

Im in

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by snappy84

Ill be tango you be cash , lets go break stuff

You ride "Shotgun" I'm driving !

[Zed7fiddy]

However, the fitting of a 151-litre fuel tank and the option of an auxiliary tank indicates it doesn't have great economy.

Orrr the fact that its a security vehicle and when on a job you dont want to be stopping for fuel as thats not a safe situation to be putting yourself in?

[Buzz Box]

But where do you put the secret service and rottweilers? lol

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

But where do you put the secret service and rottweilers? lol

In the tool box like always

Would make a reasonable spotlighting unit me thinks.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Burnedout

In the tool box like always

Would make a reasonable spotlighting unit me thinks.

Since when do animals shoot back, "watch out, skippy has a gun"

[XR Martin]

So all that work and they use that anchor of a petrol engine?
Why not use the 6.4L TD Powerstrokel?

[Yellow_Festiva]

That vehicle is a joke, and useless to anyone here IMO.

If you were filthy rich and fearful of attack, you would want something up to the job, but not as visually loud.

$400 grand US and looks like that scream "I'm filthy rich.. I dare you to try something".

This is better suited to those South American countries where drug lords get driven around in fear of their life every day.....

[Falcon Coupe]

The pictures don't clearly show the size of this Behemoth.

Too add a little perspective:

[Buzz Box]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That vehicle is a joke, and useless to anyone here IMO.

This is better suited to those South American countries where drug lords get driven around in fear of their life every day.....

Yeah in Mexico and South America they would be snapping these up.

P.S. I am still laughing at the thought of "watch out skippies got a gun"

[InfernoSR]

I want one!...

[DJR-351]

Perfect size for carting the EGO around....

[TUF_302]

Can you imagine one of those crazy landcrusier mums in one of those!!

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

That vehicle is a joke, and useless to anyone here IMO.

If you were filthy rich and fearful of attack, you would want something up to the job, but not as visually loud.

$400 grand US and looks like that scream "I'm filthy rich.. I dare you to try something".

This is better suited to those South American countries where drug lords get driven around in fear of their life every day.....

I can think of many applications for a vehicle like this here. Security isn't about waiting for something to be exploited and then purchase something like this to fix the exploit. Its about fixing the problems before they can be exploited.

SWAT Applications
High Profile Prisoner Transfers
Army Urban Warfare Roles/Fast Mobile Ground Response(choppers dont go everywhere).
They would also be suitable for private security firms that contract internationally, like the many private security teams we have in Iraq currently.

Also just because they have some luxury components doesnt mean they are mandatory options.

I think you need to come out from behind the festiva once in awhile and look at the outside world before making these grand statements.

[Mark351]

I'm still not sure it's big enough. If I needed protecting and had enough cash, I'd want mine based on an F650 or F750. Those come with a beefy 7.2l Cat diesel engine, more room inside too.

[redtoad236]

Scenes from the movie Death race spring to mind. Looks more like it would be used for Thunder birds are GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh dear time for a reality check.

[Tribal]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

Also just because they have some luxury components doesnt mean they are mandatory options.

That would be why I've never seen 'cigar humidor' on an option list...

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I think you need to come out from behind the festiva once in awhile and look at the outside world before making these grand statements.

Owch... That hurt. Really.....

Oh, and I'm just as entitled to make my 'grand statements' as anyone else on this forum.. I do get out and see the world, prob more so than most on this Forum. Trust me....

[Road_Warrior]

Hell yeah. Now all it needs to complete the package is a gun tub on the roof with a quad .50 BMG :sm_headba

[stang01]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Hell yeah. Now all it needs to complete the package is a gun tub on the roof with a quad .50 BMG :sm_headba

apparently that's available as an optional extra

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Hell yeah. Now all it needs to complete the package is a gun tub on the roof with a quad .50 BMG :sm_headba

I was about to say, where is the option for the 50 cal.

What a cool machine though!

[chevypower]

I like that Knight XV! Not really in to that F750 limo... That can stay on Las Vegas Blvd, but the Knight XV... now that is practical! (My definition of practical isn't a useless 3 door hatchback). The V10 is a really tough motor, all the Class C motorhomes use that motor, very torquey. Ford should try putting in the Bobcat engine or the 6.7L Scorpion diesel. No matter what they put in, it's not going to be economical. But gosh that thing is tough! And that interior!! I would love to see that thing tested on Top Gear.

[tweeked]

No wonder the US is broke. Why would anybody ever want one? Useless for anything. :

[stupa]

Hell yeah, That's be sweet for taking to the shops

[BFZ Wagon]

WOW, that thing is big. At least it's built on a Ford F Series

GovCo would never allow something like that on Australian streets. 'Common people' (who aren't the PM etc) aren't allowed to have armour plated vehicles or vehicles with bullet proof glass etc. I know of someone that had a very upmarket car overseas and they weren't allowed to bring it into the country coz it had bullet proof glass.

At least that Knight XV is too high to fit in most shopping centre undercover carparks. :P

[chevypower]

Make it electric (100kw elec motor in each wheel), give it a Coyote 5.0 V8 as the generator, then it could be perfect.